Sarah "received strength to conceive seed . . . . . of . . . . . him as good as dead"

(verses 11, 12).

Abraham "offered up his only begotten son . . . . . accounting that God was able to

raise him up, even from the dead, from whence also he received him in figure"

(verses 17-19).

Isaac and Jacob are both mentioned together in connection with blessing that

overruled the flesh.

Isaac "blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come" (verse 20).

Jacob "blessed both the sons of Joseph" (verse 21).

Joseph and Moses are both closely associated with Egypt. Joseph spoke of the exodus

of the children of Israel (verse 22). Moses turned his back upon the treasures of

Egypt (verse 26). Israel and Rahab conclude the series. Both are associated with the

fall of Jericho and with being spared during judgment. Israel were saved, while Egypt's

first-born perished and the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea (verse 29). Rahab

"perished not with them that believed not" (verse 31). Thus we have the perfect white

light of faith split up into its seven parts:--

A | Faith in connection with DEATH.--Abel and Enoch.

B | Faith in connection with INHERITANCE.--Noah and Abraham.

C | Faith in connection with PILGRIMAGE.--Isaac and Jacob.

D | Faith in connection with RESURRECTION.--Sarah and Abraham.

C | Faith in connection with BLESSING.--Isaac and Jacob.

B | Faith in connection with EGYPT.--Joseph and Moses.

A | Faith in connection with DELIVERANCE.--Israel and Rahab.

The three chief features, viz., beginning, middle, and end, emphasize death,

resurrection, and deliverance.

A principle of interpretation.

The way in which we are to interpret this series is suggested in Heb. 12: 24.

Concerning Abel's faith Heb. 11: 4 says, "He being dead yet speaketh", and in

Heb. 12: 24 we read of the blood of sprinkling that "speaketh better things than Abel".

Here is the principle of interpretation. Heb. 11: are types, "the better things" are found in

Christ. We can say that Christ's well-pleasing walk speaketh better things than that of

Enoch, and so of all the rest. It is helpful to see the rays of light separated and set forth in

this example, but their chief good is that they enable us the better to appreciate the

fullness that there is in Christ.

"Each sees one colour of the rainbow light,

Each looks upon one tint and calls it heaven,

Thou art the fullness of our partial sight,