Adventures in Hebrews 11, Part 2Verses taken from the American King James Version, unless stated otherwise.

The Bible doesn’t fully explain why.

However, God was probably

looking at Cain and Abel’s attitude toward Him more

than their actions.

Why do I have to do

this? It’s such a chore.

I give to You, for You have

given me much.

“It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave

evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts” (Hebrews 11:4 NLT).

God had asked both Abel and Cain to offer something up

to Him.

Why did God like Abel’s offering more than Cain’s? Is it because God wanted a lamb and not fruits and

vegetables?

Enoch was Noah’s great-grandfather!

Genesis 5:24, Enoch lived “in close fellowship with God”

(NLT).

Come, join us!

We’re off to make

trouble!

No, thanks. I’m happy talking

with my friend.

Read this story in Genesis 5:21-24.

When you see

everyone doing whatever they

like and not paying attention to what God likes, it takes strong

faith in an unseen God to do what God wants you

to do.

The next story in Hebrews 11 is about Enoch.

“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” (Hebrews 11:5).

Enoch’s godly life lived in faith pleased God so much that God translated Enoch. This means Enoch was taken from earth to be with God without Enoch dying. God

simply removed Enoch from earth.

In Noah’s day, the world had become so

wicked that God decided to cleanse the world

with a flood.

So things had probably already begun to get bad in Enoch’s day.1

1 Jude 1:14-15

Look at this cute

puppy!

I think he wants us to

feed him.

I’ll call you Rufus.

It pleases

us?

The puppy wouldn’t

come near us if he didn’t think we’d give

him what he needs.

Rufus had faith!

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and

that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek

him” (Hebrews 11:6).

The puppy has faith in us-and that makes us happy.

Yes! It’s like the verse said. We come to God because we believe He

will take care of us and give us what we need.

But faith is the prerequisite-it’s what

we need to have in order to approach God in the

first place.

What an oddly shaped house.

“By his faith Noah

condemned the rest of the world, and he received

the righteousness that comes by faith”

(Hebrews 11:7 NLT).

He’s had too

much sun.

God’s words are

true!

Read the full story of Noah and the Ark in Genesis chapters 6-9.

“It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God,

who warned him about things that had never happened before”

(Hebrews 11:7a NLT).

Noah had to have faith in God when God said that the whole world would be covered in

water.

I’ve never seen such a

darkened sky! I’m not surprised.

God said to go. So even

though we don’t know what to expect, we know God is leading us and

He’ll take care of us.

God has promised a

better place. This isn’t our final

destination.

Do we have to leave

this place we know so well?

“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 where he went”

(Hebrews 11:8).

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and

pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

“For he looked for a city which has

foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

S&S link: Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Faith-2b; Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Faith-2fAuthored by R. A. Watterson. Illustrations by Zeb. Design by Christia Copeland.Published by My Wonder Studio. Copyright © 2012 by The Family International

I know God will keep

His word.I have

something awesome prepared for you!

Read of God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15:5–18.

To be continued…

God made a covenant with Abraham promising him and his descendants the land of Canaan. However, that promise wasn’t fulfilled in Abraham’s lifetime,

but it did come to pass many, many years later.

“But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly

homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city

for them” (Hebrews 11:16 NLT).