The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is well-known for its discussion of faith. The first verse of this great chapter reads, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The word “faith” describes our conviction in the truth of God’s Word. This faith is produced in us when we hear God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Many faithful servants of God are presented in Hebrews 11 as examples for the Christian.
Consider for a moment another example of faith found in the Book of Ezra. The Babylonians conquered Judah as divine punishment for their rejection of God. Jeremiah prophesied that the captivity would last for seventy years (25:12; 29:10) before a remnant would return to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 30:1-10). As the Book of Ezra opens, King Cyrus sends over 40,000 Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and take up residence in the land. God’s people had been away from home for seventy years. Many of those relocating to Jerusalem had never been there before. They had never seen the grand temple built by Solomon. Yet, this new generation moved to Jerusalem to build a temple where they could worship God “as it is written in the Book of Moses” (Ezra 6:18). When the foundation for the new temple was laid, there were two different reactions. The aged men, ones who had seen the original Temple, wept. The younger people shouted for joy (3:12).
Both groups of people showed great faith in the promises of God. First, the aged men showed their faith. When Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, he did not choose who would go. Instead, the king allowed volunteers to return (Ezra 1:3). The aged generation was aware God allowed their captivity and exile. This group understood, through the messages of the prophets and remembrance of the words of Moses, that their homecoming was based on their return to obedience to God. If they doubted God would allow a remnant to return to Jerusalem, why volunteer to go? They evidently had faith that God would do as He said. Their faith, conviction in the truthfulness of God, led them home to Jerusalem.
Second, the new generation showed their faith. This group also knew of the messages of the prophets and the words of Moses. It’s probable they heard of the grandeur of Solomon’s Temple and of life in the Promised Land from the older generation (Deuteronomy 6:1-7). With this knowledge, this group also volunteered to return to Jerusalem to rebuild a temple to God. Though they had never seen the magnificent Temple, nor worshipped God with sacrifices “as it is written in the Law of Moses” (Ezra 3:2), this younger generation also had faith that God would do as He said. Their faith, conviction in the truthfulness of God, led them to a new home in Jerusalem.
As Christians, we also look for a home in the “New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2). We hope for—expect—the eternity in Heaven that God has promised to his faithful children (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:10), even though we have never seen Heaven ourselves. When we read the description of Heaven (John 14:1-6; Revelation 21) and the promises of God concerning Heaven, our faith assures us that Heaven is a real place prepared for God’s faithful followers. Do you have the faith shown by the 40,000 of Ezra’s day? If not, study God’s Word so that you may develop great faith and be assured, by your obedience to the Gospel, of a home in the New Jerusalem one day.
