The only way to understand
Abraham’s life of faith is to begin by considering his first act of faith.
Abraham, being called, obeyed to go forth into a place which he was destined to
receive for an inheritance, and he went forth not understanding where he was
going (Heb. 11:8). To read and understand Abraham and his life of faith one
would begin with the latter part of Genesis 11 and especially with the first
verses of chapter 12. Stephen gave a brief history of this in Acts 7:2-8. God
appeared to Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia before he dwelt in Charran. He
told Abraham to get out of Ur of the Chaldes and away from his kindred and come
to a land He would show him.
“By faith Abraham, when he was
called to go out in to a place which he should after receive for an
inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Heb. 11:8).
Abraham’s faith began with God calling him. The word “called” is a present
passive participle of kaleo, and it means “being called.” God’s call of
Abraham was effectual. There was nothing general about this call. . . . In
Hebrews 11:8, the present passive participle kaloumenos, “being called,”
speaks of action going on at the same time of the action of the leading verb,
and the leading verb is “obeyed.” By faith, Abraham being called obeyed. He did
not wait and pray about it. He did not say he would have to think it through;
he was not sure yet; or he wanted to be positive. This could continue for
months and years. When God has given faith to a person, that individual will
respond to God’s call, and he will act immediately on truth. While Abraham was
being called he obeyed. Therefore, his obedience was immediate. . . . Abraham
looked (imperfect middle indicative of ekdechomai, which means wait for,
wait, expect, or look forward to) for a city (v. 10). This patriarch was
obediently living the life of faith expecting a city having the foundations
whose architect and builder is God. Likewise, Christians should be obediently
living the life of faith expecting the city that will come down from God out of
heaven, the new Jerusalem, when all things will be new. . . . Many acts of
faith follow the first act of faith. This was true in the life of Abraham.
Based on his faith that God would make his seed as the dust of the earth and God’s
command to arise and walk through the land, Abraham obeyed (Gen. 13:16-18).
Based on his faith, he obeyed God and fought and won a battle with Chedorlaomer
(Gen. 14:13-24). After his victory over Chedorlaomer, Abraham’s assurance was
renewed, and his faith was strengthened (Gen. 15:1). In response, Abraham
believed God, and it was put to his account because of righteousness. Hence,
Abraham exhibited many faiths of faith prior to Genesis 15:6 (W. E. Best, Justification
Before God (Not By Faith) [Houston, Tex.: W. E. Best Book Missionary Trust,
1992], 70-71, 73, 74)
