THE GOD WHO IS, REWARDS

Both warning them against discarding their faith in Christ and encouraging the Hebrew saints forward in steadfastness, the apostle affirmed that "The just shall live by faith" and that one may "believe to the saving of the soul", while God has no pleasure in one who draws back (Heb. 10:38-29). Faithfulness should be encouraged when one realizes that the God who IS is a REWARDER of those who diligently seek Him (11:6). Evidence abounds that He IS (being dealt with by another writer for this journal), and the inspired author offers testimony that He REWARDS.

Hebrews 11 has been called "the hall of fame of the Scriptures." This chapter recalls a host of diligently seeking believers who took God at His word when there was nothing to cling to but His promise. That faith in a God who is able to reward those who seek after Him is shown to be a worthy operative principle of life; for such a faith gives substance to the object of one's hope and conviction or assurance of things one cannot see. The writer's declaration that "God is a rewarder" flows naturally from what he had just avowed concerning Abel and Enoch. Abel had witness that he was righteous, God, in some manner, having testified to Abel's gifts; and Enoch, due to his faith, prior to his translation, had testimony that "he should not see death."

Allowing these to serve as the foundation for his affirmation that God is a REWARDER of the diligent seeker, the apostle recounts the faith of many in "the hall of fame" who looked to the reward. In a world completely engrossed in corruption, when Noah's faith moved him to prepare the ark as per God's direction, it redounded to the saving of his house (v. 7). Moving successively through Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, the scribe of this Hebrew letter compounds the evidence that God is a REWARDER of faith (vs. 8-29). Space not permitting biographical sketches of others to whom he wanted to call attention, the writer hastily enumerates the many and varied accomplishments of these great characters who were "diligent seekers" after God, all of whom obtained a good testimony through faith (vs. 30-38).