(Hebrews 11: 1 – 13)
The glory of God represents His presence and there were many people in the Bible who enjoyed the glory of God. There are still many people living today in the world who still enjoy His glory. In the book of Heb. 11, the Bible provides a few examples of people who enjoyed the glory of God. All of these people have some characteristics in common and we want to discuss a few of them.
1. Abel: The story of Abel can be found in Gen. 4 and in Heb. 11:4 where the Bible says that “by faith, Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain and by which he obtained witness that he was righteous”. Abel was a carrier of the glory of God because of his giving. Our giving can help us to enjoy the glory of God in such a dimension we have never seen before. Abel gave sacrificially unto God of his substance and his offering was accepted whereas Cain’s offering was rejected because he gave less than his best.
2. Enoch: The story of Enoch can be found in Gen. 5: 22 – 24 and in Heb. 11:5 where the Bible says that “by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God”. Enoch lived such a holy life and God’s glory was so much upon him that he was prevented from experiencing physical death
3. Noah: The story of Noah can be found in Gen. 6 – 8 and in Heb. 11: 7 where the Bible says that “by faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world”. Noah enjoyed the glory because he had the fear of God in him and obeyed God even though he did not fully understand God’s instruction to him. Noah and his household were countercultural people and when others were mocking him because of his obedience, Noah enjoyed the glory of God.
4. Abraham: The story of Abraham can be found in Gen. 12 and in Heb. 11: 8 where the Bible says “by faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should afterward receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went”. Obedience and faith made Abraham to enjoy God’s glory. If we determine in our hearts to honor God with our obedience and our faith, we will enjoy His glory like Abraham did.
5. Isaac: The story of Isaac can be found in Gen. 24: 63; 25: 21 and in Heb. 11: 20 where the Bible says that “by faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come”. Isaac enjoyed the glory of God because he was a man given to prayer. In Gen. 24: 63 he was seen spending time alone with God and in Gen. 25: 21 he prayed for Rebekah his wife because she was barren and God answered him.
6. Jacob: The story of Jacob can be found be found in Gen. 32 and in Heb. 11: 21 where the Bible says that “by faith Jacob when he was a dying blessed both the sons of Joseph and worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff”. Jacob’s thirst for more of God transformed his life and he enjoyed a name change and the glory of God.