Hebrews 11:8-10

Hebrews 11:8-10

[8] By faith  Abraham,  when he was called  to go out  into  a place  which  he should after  receive  for  an inheritance,  obeyed;  and  he went out,  not  knowing  whither  he went.  [9] By faith  he sojourned  in  the land  of promise,  as  in a strange country,  dwelling  in  tabernacles  with  Isaac  and  Jacob,  the heirs with him  of the same  promise:  [10] For  he looked for  a city  which hath  foundations,  whose  builder  and  maker  is God. 

What does Hebrews 11:8-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Like Abraham we should look forward to our inheritance in the coming world and should live as strangers and pilgrims in this world ( 1 Peter 1:1). [1] Abraham demonstrated faith in three phases: when God called him to leave Mesopotamia ( Hebrews 11:8), when he reached the Promised Land but still had to live in it as a foreigner ( Hebrews 11:9-10), and when God called him to sacrifice Isaac ( Hebrews 11:17-19).
"Abraham"s faith accepted God"s promises and acted on them even though there was nothing to indicate that they would be fulfilled." [2]
As Abraham later received some of the land he formerly lived in as a stranger, so we will, too. The city Abraham looked for was a city God would provide for him. A city with foundations offered a permanent, established home in contrast to the transient existence of a tent-encampment.
"To cultured men in the first century, the city was the highest form of civilized existence." [3]
We look for such a habitation as well, namely, the New Jerusalem ( Revelation 21:1; Revelation 21:9-27).
This writer referred to Abraham10 times; his example is especially helpful for those tempted to abandon faith in God. Only two other books mention him more: Luke (15 times) and John (11times).