I am learning (still learning) how much to say on a matter. But I have gotten better than I had been. What it comes down to is when to declare, “Enough said” before someone else does. The author of Hebrews has been bringing some great encouragement in his explanation of biblical faith throughout this eleventh chapter of Hebrews. But now he gets to a point where it is time to wind down the exhortation and conclude his point. The key idea in this passage is that there is a long line, from generation to generation, of those who have trusted in the words of God. If all their exploits and faith in God were written in detail, all the world could not contain the books that would be written.
I. A List of Believers
As the author brings this chapter to a close, he spouts off a list of other Old Testament believers, those who had faith. I don’t want to belabor a point that he doesn’t, but I do want to try to give a brief synopsis about these people. I think the author understood that his audience knew these people. They were the George Washington’s and Patrick Henry’s of the Ancient Israeli world and would have brought good memories into the minds of his readers. But I don’t think that many in modern Christianity have the same thoughts about these people. This is unfortunate for us because they are just as much our spiritual heritage as they were to the Jews.
So let me briefly describe these individuals. What we first want to notice is that each one had flaws, idiosyncrasies and weaknesses. Yet God used them. Why did God use them? They trusted Him. Some trusted more, some less; but they trusted His Word. So let’s look at them in brief. First, there was Gideon. His story is told in Judges, chapters 6-9. He was no mighty man of valor in the world’s eyes. He was from one of the smallest tribes and families in Israel. But God came to him and told him that he would deliver the nation through him. When he was finally convinced that God WAS going to bring deliverance through him, he couldn’t be stopped. God used Gideon and three hundred men to route a vast army. Foolish, incomprehensible we might say and yet God worked through Gideon’s small faith to show His great power.
Next the author mentions Barak. God’s work through him is told of in Judges 4&5. God’s Word had come to Deborah, the judge and prophetess of Israel at that time. She sent for Barak to tell him of God’s plan to use him to deliver the nation from their enemy, Jabin, King of Canaan. Again God brought deliverance through him though his glory of victory was diminished because he was afraid to go alone.
Then there was Samson. Four full chapters in Judges tell his tale (13-16). Here we have an individual who lacked wisdom in following God’s commands, yet God used him to knock down the power of the Philistines in his day. I can only wonder how much more God would have used Samson to deliver the nation had he followed the Word of God more fully.
The author then mentions Jephthah. He is discussed in Judges 10:6-12:7. He fought against the Ammonites and regained the land they had stolen from Israel. Of course you’ll have to read that section to learn about the foolish vow he made.
Before we move onto the last of these people it must also be noted that God raised these men up in the period of the judges because of the faith of the nation of Israel itself. God told the people that when they sinned and fell into idolatry they would be given over to their enemies. But if they would repent and put away their idols and worship the Lord, He would deliver them. The faith of the people of Israel raised up these men to deliver the nation. When they believed His Word, God was faithful to it. He did as He said He would do.
Then he describes Samuel the priest and David, whom Samuel anointed as the King of Israel. The Scripture says that King David was a man after God’s own heart. He believed God’s Word and it was David who spoke clearly about the forgiveness of sin and a person’s justification by faith alone.
Finally, the author mentions the prophets. These men spoke confidently of their faith in God’s Word. God spoke to these men about future events to come. Many of these events were later fulfilled hundreds of years in the future and they give clear testimony to the truthfulness of the Scripture. Their writings even describe events that have not yet happened today but are piggybacked upon events already fulfilled. These prophets trusted God in some of the lowest times in the nation’s history. These prophets called the nation, almost completely given over to idol worship to repent and return to the Lord before judgment would plague the nation. But woven within the message of coming judgment was a message of restoration and hope. God did not leave the nation without hope but promised them according to His faithful covenant that He would restore them and bring Messiah to deliver them. It was in this context that the faith of the prophets shone most brightly.
II. A List of Believers’ Deeds
Again, the author might have gone on in greater detail and described greater numbers of other examples of faith. But, enough said, he went on to the next section leading to the conclusion of the hall of faith. And here we find a list of believers’ deeds. Once more we will not examine these in detail but save our time for the final section. This list of the believers’ deeds opens our eyes to what these people actually accomplished. It is a commentary on what great things God did through them.
In verse 33, we see that they conquered kingdoms. Israel has always been the little dog. But when they encountered their enemies by faith in God’s Word, when they followed what God told them, they were victorious. They fought against extraordinary odds and won in incredible ways. Then when they administered their reigns these people of faith ruled in righteousness. The verse says they performed “acts of righteousness.” These believers lived in a way that pleased God. They lived out His will. They sought to expand His kingdom. The author continues and says they obtained promises. God promised them something and they were able to receive it by faith. The next two acts come straight from the book of Daniel. He said that they “shut the mouths of lions and quenched the power of fire.” Daniel, because of his faith refused to stop praying, even though the king made prayer a punishable offense (It will probably happen here in this country soon). When Daniel’s enemies pointed out his criminal activity he was thrown into the lion’s den. But God stopped the lions’ mouths by an angel. Because Daniel refused to disobey God by failing to pray, God protected him. And Daniel’s three friends quenched the power of fire because they refused to bow down and pray before a statue. The King, in his outrage against their audacity to defy him, threw them into the furnace and yet God was with them in the midst of this so they came out alive and even their clothes did not smell of smoke.
“Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection.” He speaks of two notable women in the Old Testament who because of their faith had their sons raised from the dead. Others, because of their faith, refused to give in to the enemy and were killed. They regarded that God would bring to them a better resurrection than just recanting their faith to save their neck. Still the author mentions that there were Old Testament men and women of faith who were mocked, imprisoned and beaten. Jeremiah was a noteworthy example. He experienced all this at the hands of the wicked king as he proclaimed judgment upon Israel. He would not stop speaking all God told him to say and this brought the anger of the king upon him. Yet Jeremiah’s faith sustained him in the midst of it all.
In verse 37 the author notes some of the less glamorous deeds that these individuals endured for their faith. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword, Zechariah is probably in mind here as he writes this.
But what these people did and what they had done to them was because of their faith. God worked in each one of these men and women through their faith to show His great power.
III. A List of Applications
Finally, and here is where we want to park and think for a moment. Let us look now at a list of applications. Where does this intersect with our lives? How can a group of individuals who lived thousands of years ago cause us to live for God now?
A. These people were remembered before God
The first application we find from this passage is these people were remembered before God. Now I don’t mean that God doesn’t know or remember everything that takes place but that they had a special place in God’s book by which He showed the world forever how He used them to accomplish great things for His glory.
Let me say it this way. Those who chose to live for themselves and do their own thing in their generation are not mentioned in the pages of Scripture. God had no special place for them because they selected as their motto, “Whatever is easiest.” They had nothing to really live for except themselves and when life comes down to this philosophy it is really a poor life at that. Why? God has made us for greater things. God has called us to live for and worship Him. And yet most people cannot see past their noses when it comes to what life is really all about.
Much of Malachi’s generation in Israel was corrupt. They sought to go their own way and do their own thing. Yet there were some who sought the Lord and desired to please Him. This is what Malachi says about them in chapter 3, verse 16, “Those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.” These people who understood the times and how they should live for the Lord had their names placed in a special book so they could be honored and set apart from their generation as those who had discernment and were able to distinguish between that which is righteous and that which is unrighteous. If you are going to live by faith understand that the world might not remember you but God will.
B. These people were not generally accepted by the world
The second application we glean from this passage is that these people were not generally accepted by the world. They were often considered outcasts or strange because they loved God more than their own life. The author says that they were “those of whom the world was not worthy.” The people of their day who did not have faith couldn’t understand what it was they were doing. These people were misunderstood. As they proclaimed God’s righteousness they were mistaken for declaring themselves self-righteous. They were mistreated. Though they sought to bless those around them they received persecution. And they endured hardship. The passage says they went around in goatskin and sheepskin…wandering around in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. These people weren’t hermits; they were pushed out from their society. They didn’t leave willfully to live in some monastery they were cast out and chased out of their homes. This happens today. We have heard from one of our missionaries in a certain country that some of the people in the churches were forced out of their homes and their property was seized.
This was just as true in the early church. When the unbelieving people saw the miracles of the apostles and the powerful work taking place in the lives of people they stood aloof. In Acts 5:12-13 the Scripture says, “At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.” Do you see what was happening? The people were obviously impressed with what they saw, the people held them in high esteem, yet they did not dare associate with them. Because they didn’t have faith in God’s Word they couldn’t come to the point where they would accept what they heard and recognize it as true. So they would not join themselves with these people.
What this says is that if you are going to follow hard after God and His Word, if you are going to seek to please Him then you must understand that this is not a popularity contest. If you are set on following His Word then you may very well be disdained by the people around you, the very ones you love most. But appreciate the fact that if you truly believe God’s Word then you know it is not the world’s approval that means anything but God’s approval. And it is by faith we have His approval. This is what the author has been saying all along and he is going to finish the chapter on this same note when we get to verses 39-40. Remember that the Scripture says the truly blessed person is the one who makes the Word of God his delight instead of the counsel of the ungodly.
But let me ask, “What will you do when it comes for you to be cast out of your home or removed from your job for the sake of Christ? Will you relent and give in and be quiet and stop speaking on issues of right and wrong? Or will you stand and be mistreated?
C. These people accomplished great deeds for God
The third application we see from these verses is that these people accomplished great deeds for God. Now we have gone through the list already of the amazing things they did in the name of the Lord. But recognize who these people are. They are people like you and me. They are people who experience the same difficulties as you and me. If you think that somehow they didn’t have the same sin nature or that they were immune to our temptations it shows that you do not understand what the Scripture teaches about humanity. Verse 37 says they were tempted. Yet it was their faith that caused them to overcome. This same victory, nay, greater victory is available to us because we have the Holy Spirit living in us in a way in which they did not have. Our victory is found in the living Christ inside. The apostle Paul, in Galatians 2:20 said, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
These men and women of the past carried out great things for God. And God used them mightily to work His plan. God can use you where you are through the power of your faith in Christ. In our weakness we can become strong through Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
The truth is that you don’t need “GREAT FAITH” as some people think to do great things for God. You need a little faith in a great God. And when we do trust this great God He will do great things through us.
D. These people refused the choice to compromise
The fourth application we note is that these people refused the choice to compromise. In verse 35 the author described those who were resurrected but then mentions those who were willing to suffer torture and death. He says that they refused release. This means they were given the opportunity to recant their faith in God and yet they repudiated the opportunity. They had a chance to get off free and clear yet for the sake of God’s name they denied their own life. They knew they would receive a better life in dying than living the life they possessed by compromising.
It is these people throughout history who often have caused people to find the living God even as they died. If you have read any of Foxes’ Book of Martyrs you will find individuals who while being burned at the stake or tortured bring others to trust in Christ because of the faith their persecutors saw displayed. It is this kind of uncompromising faith that will transform those around us. Those who compromise are more popular but accomplish little for God.
And there are opportunities for you every day to stand for Christ and not compromise. The compromise comes in various forms. And you need God’s wisdom to recognize it. Are you going to lie for your boss? Or will you clearly say why you won’t? Will you stand around listening to the dirty jokes in the cafeteria and smile or will you recognize that Paul says in Ephesians this is not fitting for a believer? There are other compromises in which we opt for comfort and safety instead of obeying the Spirit of God to witness or help someone. Every day you have the choice of compromise. Will you, like these Old Testament men and women of faith, refuse the choice of compromise? If you have been living in compromise, then stop. Stand by faith in God’s Word to do right, always. It’s not easy but it will allow you to effectively carry out God’s Word.
E. These people believed God’s Word
Finally, we discover that these people believed God’s Word. This is why they are listed here in the chapter. This is what set them apart. This is what the author has been describing throughout the chapter. They had biblical faith. They had a deep trust in the words of God and it was this faith that moved them to follow it. This is what made them different people. This is what set them above the rest in their generation.
Friends if you want to make a difference you need to wholeheartedly trust the Word of God. Living by faith, doesn’t necessarily make the road easier, but it will produce in you the endurance to continue. As we face obstacles and difficulties, if our hearts are set to believe the Word of God we will find that it truly becomes our fortress and God becomes our refuge. For biblical faith puts us in contact with God Himself since faith isn’t just believing a list of doctrines. Biblical faith really consists in knowing and loving the God who gave us this Word in which we believe. We are not just believing in a book we are believing in the God of this book.
Faith, is trust in the words and promises of God, regardless of what onslaught of trouble we might face in terms of opposition. It means repenting (changing our mind concerning our old way of acting and thinking) and receiving His Word as our authority in life.
What does it mean for you in your generation if you are going to have life changing faith in God’s Word? I think the apostle Paul sums up what biblical faith will mean for us. In Philippians 3:10 he speaks of how his faith worked in his life. He said his faith in Christ caused Him to want to “know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” His faith in Christ caused Him to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection. The power that raised Christ from the dead was working in Him to accomplish the will of God. And we might be tempted to say, “Yes I want that. I want the power of Christ’s resurrection. I want victory and all the benefits it brings.” But biblical faith will also bring us to desire the participation of Christ’s sufferings so we might be conformed to the image of Christ. For unless our old man has died we will not find the power to live in Christ’s resurrection. Everyone wants, “life, life,” but biblical faith calls us to find our life in conformity with the crucifixion of our old life. This is what Paul says in Galatians 5:24. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Many want to belong to Christ but do not have the faith to go all the way with Him. Where are you with Christ? Do you have trust that has received a righteousness through Christ’s work on the cross alone? Do you have a faith that desires to know Him in both the power of His resurrection and the participation of his sufferings? If not, let me ask, “Do you have a faith that will save you from the wrath to come?” Walk with those who have gone before and be part of this generation that believes in God’s Word and will be remembered before God.
Enough Said.