Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
The cross references for Hebrews 11:11 all emphasize the faithfulness of God and the power of faith to accomplish the impossible. They point to the fact that God is always faithful to His promises and that His power is greater than any obstacle that stands in the way. They also emphasize the importance of having faith in God and trusting Him to do what He has promised, no matter how impossible it may seem. Finally, they highlight the importance of continuing to have faith in God even when the odds seem stacked against us.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Genesis 17:17-19: Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. | Both passages emphasize the miraculous nature of the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. In Hebrews 11:11, Sarah's faith is highlighted, as she believed that God would keep his promise even though she was past the age of childbearing. In Genesis 17:17–19, Abraham and Sarah's incredulity at the prospect of Sarah's pregnancy is evident, as Abraham laughs and expresses his wish that Ishmael might be the one to receive the covenant. Nevertheless, God confirms that Sarah will bear Isaac, and will establish his covenant with him. |
| Genesis 18:11-14: Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” | Both passages demonstrate Sarah's faith in God's promise to give her a son. Hebrews 11:11 highlights Sarah's faith in God's promise, which allowed her to conceive a child despite her advanced age. Genesis 18:11-14 shows God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promise to Sarah, as he reassured her that nothing is too hard for him and that she would bear a son at the appointed time. |
| Genesis 21:1-2: The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. | Both passages demonstrate how God fulfilled his promise to Abraham and Sarah, even when it seemed impossible. Hebrews 11:11 emphasizes Sarah's faith that God would keep his promise, even though she was past childbearing age. Genesis 21:1-2 shows how God visited Sarah and did as he had promised, allowing her to conceive and bear Abraham a son in his old age. |
| Luke 1:36: And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. | Both passages demonstrate the power of faith when it comes to God's promises. Hebrews 11:11 describes how Sarah's faith in God's promise that she would bear a child enabled her to conceive a child even in her old age. Similarly, Luke 1:36 tells of Elizabeth's conception of a son in her old age, despite being called barren. Both passages demonstrate God's power to fulfill his promises, no matter the circumstances. |
| Romans 4:20-21: No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. | Both passages emphasize the importance of faith. Hebrews 11:11 focuses on Sarah's faith in God's promise, which enabled her to conceive even past the age of childbearing. Romans 4:20-21 focuses on Abraham's faith in God's promise, which enabled him to remain strong and give glory to God. Both passages emphasize how faith in God's promises can empower us to do the seemingly impossible. |
| Hebrews 10:23: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. | Both passages emphasize the faithfulness of God. Hebrews 11:11 recounts how Sarah was able to conceive even though she was past the age, because she considered God faithful to fulfill His promise. Hebrews 10:23 encourages us to hold fast to our confession of hope, because God is faithful and will fulfill His promises. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness and for the promises You have made to us. We thank You for the example of Abraham and Sarah, who believed in You even when it seemed impossible. We thank You for the example of Elizabeth, who was blessed with a child in her old age. We thank You for the reminder in Hebrews 10:23 to hold fast to our hope without wavering, knowing that You are faithful.
Help us to trust in Your promises and to remember that nothing is too hard for You. Strengthen our faith, Lord, and help us to believe in the power of Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
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