Matthew Poole and continuators on Hebrews 11:16

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: For he hath prepared for them a city.

Having deserted this World, as Strangers in it, they sought, desired and hoped for with the greatest earnestness and fervency, a City in the Country of Heaven, v. 10. in comparison with which they contemned and despised all others; a Country where there is perfection of Life, and fulness of Glory: It excelleth all others as far as Heaven doth Earth, 2 Tim. 4.18. 1 Pet. 1.4. The State, Society, Enjoyments and Place, they longed for, were all heavenly, Phil. 3.20, 21. nothing lower than this World would satisfie them.

Faith having carried them thus estranged from this World to the Grave, indearing to them the Promises, and engaging of them for Heaven only, therefore God did not disdain them, he did not think it any disrepute to him to own them his, but esteemed it an Honour and Reputation to him, took up his joy and Delight in them; see him owning them when dead, Exod. 3.6, 15. Matth. 22.31, 32. sirnaming himself by them, and adopting them as his own, as Iacob did Ioseph's Sons, Gen. 48.56. so that tho they are dead, as to their Bodies, yet they are alive as to their Souls, and are owned by God in his Name and Title, and are assured, as to their Dust, of a Resurrection; for he will do it, giving them that rest that they never had in their Pilgrimage.

That heavenly State and Place which they sought for, v. 10. which infinitely transcended Canaan, and the Ierusalem in it, of which they were Denizens while here, Ephes. 2.19. Phil. 3.20. the pleasant, peaceful, rich, and glorious Metropolis of the living God, ch. 12.22. and 13, 14. which shall make abundant amends for all their Sorrows, Sufferings, and restless Wandrings on Earth, where they shall enjoy Pleasures, Riches, Honours, and Rest for ever more, 1 Pet. 1.4.

Marginal references: Acts 7.31.