In Hebrews 11 What Is The Significance Of The Unfulfilled Promises Mentioned In Verse 39?
The Unfulfilled Promises of Hebrews 11: Exploring Faith and God's Greater Plan
Hebrews 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith." It recounts the stories of men and women who trusted God in remarkable ways. The chapter closes with a striking statement:
And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, - Hebrews 11:39 ASV
This verse raises a compelling question: Why did these faithful people not receive what was promised in their lifetimes? What is the significance of these unfulfilled promises, and how does this shape our understanding of faith?
1. The Nature of the Promises
Throughout Hebrews 11, we see God make many promises to His people—land, descendants, deliverance, a coming Messiah. Some promises had partial fulfillments (like the Israelites entering Canaan), but the ultimate fulfillment was still future. For example, Abraham was promised a land and offspring, but he lived as a stranger and only saw his descendants begin to multiply.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. - Hebrews 11:13 ASV
The ultimate promise was not merely earthly blessing, but a heavenly one—the coming of Christ and the eternal city God has prepared for His people.
2. Faith That Looks Forward
The significance of the unfulfilled promises is deeply theological: it shows that faith is not merely trusting God for immediate results, but believing in His ultimate plan—even if we do not see it in our lifetime. This forward-looking faith is described in Hebrews 11:1:
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 ASV
These believers trusted God’s character and promises, even when the fulfillment was beyond their present experience. Their faith was not in what they could attain, but in God Himself, who is always faithful.
3. The Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The author of Hebrews makes clear that the promises ultimately pointed to something greater—Jesus Christ. Verse 40 provides the key:
God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. - Hebrews 11:40 ASV
The "better thing" is the coming of Christ and the salvation He brings. The faithful of the Old Testament looked forward to a Redeemer; we now look back to His finished work and forward to His return. In Christ, all of God's promises find their "Yes" (2 Corinthians 1:20 ASV).
For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. - 2 Corinthians 1:20 ASV
4. Application: Living With Unfulfilled Promises
The example of these saints encourages us to live by faith, even when we do not see all God's promises fulfilled in our lives. We are called to trust in God’s character, His timing, and His eternal purposes.
for we walk by faith, not by sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7 ASV
We may face seasons where God's promises seem unfulfilled, but like the heroes of Hebrews 11, our hope is anchored in Christ, who guarantees the ultimate fulfillment for all who believe in Him (John 14:1-3 ASV).
Conclusion
The unfulfilled promises in Hebrews 11:39 remind us that faith transcends our present circumstances. God's plan is greater and more glorious than we can imagine, culminating in Jesus Christ and the eternal inheritance awaiting all who trust Him. Our faith connects us with the saints of old, as we all await the full realization of God's promises together in Christ.