Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 11:8

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." — Hebrews 11:8 (ASV)

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

He was self-exiled from his home—a wanderer upon the face of the earth. Yet, when called by God, it did not matter to him where he was commanded to go; he seemed to say, "Appoint my way, great God. It is for me not to ask the reason why, but to obey your command."

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed: and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Though Abraham did not know where he was going, God knew, and that was quite sufficient for the patriarch. As a little child is willing to be led by his parent, so Abraham was willing to be led by God, even though that meant leaving his own country and his own people, and going to the distant land which God intended to give him.

By faith Abraham,–

To whom Paul devotes a long passage, because he is the father of the faithful, the greatest exponent of faith that we have ever met with: "By faith Abraham."

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

That is, surely, the very masterpiece of faith. God commanded Abraham to go out from his native land. He believed that God knew where he was to go, though he himself did not know. So, he left the direction of his wanderings entirely in the Lord's hands, and obeyed, and "went out, not knowing whither he went." We are not to ask for full knowledge before we are obedient to the will of the Lord; but we are to obey God in the dark, even as Abraham did.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Very easy to read about that, but not so easy to do it – to tear yourself from home and friends – to go into a totally unknown country, swarming with enemies, solely on the promise that one day that country should belong to his seed. It might be hundreds of years afterwards: but God had called him, and Abraham raised no question, but away he went.

And he went out, not knowing where he went.

Faith puts her hand into God's hand, and follows where He leads, with sweet contentment, knowing that, if she cannot see, God can, and He will not lead us wrong. Do you not remember that hymn that our Brother Chamberlain sings so sweetly?

"So on I go – not knowing, I would not if I might;
I'd rather walk in the dark with God, than go alone in the light;
I'd rather walk by faith with Him, than go alone by sight.
Where He may lead, I'll follow,
My trust in Him repose;
And every hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, 'He knows! He knows!'"