13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11)
"Oh..." That is the response to the first phrase of this passage. These "greats" of the faith all died... without ever seeing their grandchildren, or the working out of God's plan for their descendants. They were never "at home" on the earth. Though they desired to be a great nation of a beautiful land, they came to realize that where God is - that is where they want to be - in His land with Him. That's why God is unashamed of them when they fall and fail and look stupid - and us too - wanting God more than anything else. That is why He made us. He is not a failure. Fallen man is not a shame to God's name, because we, by faith, have become part of His eternal plan.
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