A Bible Study in EasyEnglish (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Hebrews
Keith Simons
EasyEnglish is a system of simple English designed by Wycliffe Associates (UK).
Last part: Citizens of heaven (Hebrews 11:15)
Of course God is not ashamed! He deserves no shame; his holy name is great and wonderful. He deserves all the honour that everyone in heaven and earth can give.
God is not ashamed of his people. He called himself ‘the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’ (Exodus 3:6). They trusted him and he declared himself to be their God. Whenever God’s people trust him, they give honour to him. They show their confidence that all his words are true.
God is not ashamed of his promises. He declared himself ‘the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’ because he had made promises to those men. Those promises bring honour to God, because God will certainly carry out his promises.
God is not ashamed of his relationship with his people. Elsewhere in Hebrews, we read that Jesus is not ashamed to call Christians ‘brothers’ (Hebrews 2:11). By his promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God established a special relationship with their families. That is, with the people from Israel. They are his people, even as Christians are God’s people now.
God called himself ’the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob' long after the deaths of those men. In Mark 12:26-27, Jesus used that fact to teach an important lesson. God is not a god of death. He is the God who gives life. And so, his servants are alive with him, even after their deaths! That is what the author of Hebrews explains here. Those men died, but God did not disappoint them. They were right to trust him. They are in heaven now. And he has prepared a home for them. It is a wonderful home in a wonderful city (Revelation chapter 21). By that means, God is carrying out all his promises to them. And in that city, their relationship with God will always continue.
© 2012, Keith Simons.