1. Strangers in the world (7-12)

The faith of the patriarchs led them to seek their goal beyond this world. Noah's faithful ark-building expressed God's judgment on his wicked times and planted hope in a new world to come after the flood. Abraham lived with no children in a land where he was a foreigner, believing in a heavenly city. By such faith, Noah was used to save the human race, and Sarah and Abraham became ancestors of all who have faith.

2. A heavenly country (13-16)

None of the patriarchs received their final reward in this life. Their faith looked to the future, and enabled them to overcome the temptation to go back. God is proud of them. We should set our hope in the same heavenly city that they did-the kingdom of God.