The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 318

II. TIIE F0UNDATION-D00TRINE OF FAITH. (Ver. 3.) Here the author specifies, !I.II one of the great objects of faith, what is really the fundamental truth of all reli!rion, as it is also the first utterance of revelation (Gen. i. 1)-the doctrine of the creatio~ of the world by the living God. For our knowledge of this truth we are indebted exclusively to the Bible. Human theories regarding the origin of the universe have been mere con- jectures. Heathen philosophers have dreamed of the eternal existence of matter; or they have taught, in some form or other, the doctrine "that what is seen bath been made out of things which do appear." Unaided reason bas never ascended by the steps of the design-argument "up to nature's God." Paley's famous illustration of the watch suggests a conclusive syllogism only to the Christian theist. What, then, does the apostle assert here regarding creation? 1. That all that exists in time and space was skilfully framed and finished by a simple fiat of the Almighty. 2. That it follows that the universe was not formed out of any pre-existing material~ whatsoever, but was created-by God out of nothing. The question of the mode in which "the worlds have been framed" is one, when regarded from the spiritual point of view, of very slight importance. It matters little whether "what is seen" assumed its present form in connection with a series of creative acts, or by a process of evolution. What faith lays stress on is this, that the universe is in no sense self-existent, but owes its genesis to • the will of a personal Creator or Evolver. Ancient paganism deified the power of nature, and atheistic evolution in onr own time sees in matter the " promise and potency" of all life. But the candid, sober confession of science still is, that "behind and above and around the phenomena of matter and of force, remains the unsolved mystery of the universe." Now, revelation explains this mystery. The doctrine of a personal Creator is the foundation-doctrine of faith. If this truth be accepted, it follows that miracles are possible, and that a supernatural revelation is not an unlikely blessing. If God has made us in his own image, then surely we are heirs of immortality; and, although we have gone astray from him, peradventure he may hear us when we call upon him, and may graciously receive us back into his favour. III. THE POWEB 01!' FAITH TO FORM 0HARACTEB. (Ver. 2.) The" things not seen" and "hoped for" control the life or the believer. They engage his attention. They call forth his energies. They mould his habits. They direct his affections. The con- viction and the confidence which make his character what it is are grounded, not upon knowledge, but upon testimony. This truth receives splendid illustration in the lives of the saints who lived during tbe twilight before the rise of the Sun of righteousness. "The elder:," are the Hebrew fathers, and "the world's grey fathers" of antediluvian times. They trusted in a Saviour who was yet only "hoped for," and in a sacrifice for !lin that was" not seen." Although they lived so very long ago, and although the truth which they rested on was still but imperfectly developed, yet theirs was saving faith, and it was vigorous, valiant, victorious. For, faith is the belief of a Divine testi- mony, whatever that testimony may be. Under every dispensation ihe believer has ven- tured bis eternal interests upon the bare word of God. "The elders had witness borne to them," i.e. the approving testimony of God and bis Word. And the apostle proceeds, in the verses which follow, to name some of these illustrious elders, and to show that their excellence of character was due to the moral power of their faith. This chapter, accord- ingly, may be said to point out some of the great constellations which blazed in the firmament of the Jewish dispensation. Or it may be compared to a national picture- gallery of the soldiers of faith, and their battles. Or its verses may be likened to the epitaphs on the ancient monuments in the fair and venerable abbey of the Old Testa- ment Church. In conclusion, have we this faith? The assent of the intellect to Bible truth is not enough. Faith for us means personal trust in a personal Saviour. Spiritual faith is a grace; it is God-given. Only the Holy Spirit can enable us to be guided, in our whole walk and conduct, by the unseen and eternal realities. Vcrs. 4-7.-Faith of the antediluvian saints. The apostle, having gone to the first pn~o of the Bible for the foundation-doctrine of faith, has only to turn the leaf tu finJ. his first historical illustrations. I. 'l'HE EXAMPLE Ob' ADEL. (Ver, 4.) In what respect was Abel's sacrifice" more excellent" than Cain's? 1. Some answer-Bpcause its ruat~rials were more valuable, an!!  310 THE RPtSTLE '1'0 TtIE HEBREWS. [on. :rt. 1--40,