Hebrews 11:19

Hebrews 11:19 is a profound statement about Abraham's extraordinary faith, nestled within the New Testament's great "Hall of Faith" chapter. It reveals the depth of Abraham's conviction when faced with God's seemingly impossible command to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah, as commanded by God in Genesis 22:2. Abraham, having waited many years for the son of promise, was now asked to give him up. His obedience was not blind, but rooted in a deep understanding of God's character and power. The author of Hebrews highlights Abraham's reasoning: he "accounted," or reasoned, that God was capable of even raising Isaac from the dead.

Key Themes

• Faith in God's Resurrection Power: The primary theme is Abraham's unwavering belief in God's ability to bring life out of death. Even before the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Abraham grasped that God is the God who "gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not" (Romans 4:17). This faith allowed him to proceed with the sacrifice, trusting God's ultimate plan for Isaac.
• Divine Promise and Fulfillment: Isaac was the son through whom God's covenant promises were to be fulfilled (Genesis 17:19). Abraham understood that if Isaac died, God would have to raise him to keep His word. This demonstrates Abraham's conviction that God's promises are infallible.
• Figurative Resurrection and Foreshadowing: The phrase "from whence also he received him in a figure" (KJV) or "figuratively speaking" (NIV) is crucial. Isaac's deliverance from the altar was a symbolic resurrection. He was as good as dead, and his return to Abraham's arms was a powerful prefigurement or "type" of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham received his son back, so too would God the Father receive His Son back from the dead, providing salvation for all.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "accounting" is logizomai (λογίζομαι), which means "to reckon, consider, calculate, or conclude." It suggests a reasoned faith, not a blind leap. Abraham weighed the command against God's character and promises, arriving at the conclusion that God possessed the power to raise the dead.

The phrase "in a figure" translates en parabolē (ἐν παραβολῇ), meaning "in a parable" or "in a symbolic representation." It signifies that Isaac's experience served as a powerful illustration or prophetic picture, pointing forward to the ultimate resurrection of Christ. This event was a divine object lesson in the nature of resurrection and God's faithfulness.

Practical Application

Hebrews 11:19 challenges believers today to cultivate a faith that trusts in God's omnipotence, especially when circumstances seem insurmountable. Like Abraham, we are called to believe that God is able to do the impossible, even to bring life out of situations that appear dead. This verse encourages us to:

• Trust God's Promises: Even when fulfilling God's will seems to contradict His promises, we can trust that He will ultimately fulfill them, perhaps in ways we don't yet comprehend.
• Believe in God's Power: There are no limits to God's power. This truth should inspire confidence in prayer and in facing life's greatest challenges. Remember that God's power is demonstrated supremely in Christ's resurrection.
• See God's Hand in Trials: Sometimes, God allows us to go to the brink, just as Abraham did with Isaac, to reveal His power and prepare us for a deeper understanding of His redemptive plan. Our "resurrections" from difficult situations can be figures of His greater work.