“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God," Hebrews 11:10.

This verse is a continuation of that stated in verse 9. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”

I. HERE IS AN EXPLANATION FOR THE LIFESTYLE OF THE PATRIARCHS.

The word ‘for’ at the beginning of the verse leads to an explaining of why these men lived in tents.

1. The use of the term ‘tabernacles’ indicates the awareness of their temporary stay on the earth. Boys and girls we ought to live with such an awareness!

II. AS THEY LIVED IN TABERNACLES THEY ‘LOOKED’!

1. The word looked means they ‘looked with expectation. They were awaiting to receive.

2. We need to looking specifically to the Lord. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God,” Hebrews 12:2. The Saviour was conscious of what lay ahead of Him.

3. The Christian ought to have the same expectancy and contentment. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works,” Titus 2:12-14. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” Hebrews 13:5.

4. We must do more than look. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” 2 Pet 3:11-12. It means a making ready for that day.

III. THAT WHICH THEY LOOKED FOR WAS FAR BEYOND ANYTHING ON EARTH

“He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

1. Not just a house, but a city.

2. It was a secure city. It had foundations and its builder is God.

3. It was an eternal city. God only builds that which will last for ever.

We may look at that city - Rev 21:9-27. It is beyond out comprehension!