11:13
We now get a short interlude, reflecting on the nature of faith. These heroes "all died in faith without having received the promises, but saw them from a distance ..." This did not mean the promises were empty, for they were fulfilled later. They received some things, but the full promise was not received in their lifetime. Likewise, we have not yet received the full promise, that will happen when Christ returns. We receive something now, a deposit, but we look ahead to a much greater fulfilment. They knew that they were strangers and aliens on this earth, looking ahead to a better country. We too are strangers and aliens, looking forward.
11:14
“People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.” The Old Testament heroes were not comfortable in the world they lived in, they were looking for something better. And that ”something better” would be “ a country of their own”, they would feel at home when they got there. There is a sense in which we will always be uncomfortable in this world. God makes a difference to our lives now, but it is not a matter of “your best life now”.
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