The eleventh chapter of Hebrews, concentrating on faith, now continues with many more examples.
Hebrews 11:17-22, The faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
Hebrews 11:23-31, The faith of Moses (& his parents), Israelites, Rahab
By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Hebrews 11:17-22, The faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, heroes of ancient Israel -- each is described as an example of faith in action. We are given here a motive for Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac -- that Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the dead. This motive does not appear in the Genesis account (in Genesis 22.)
In verse 18 the Greek word translated here "offspring" is literally "seed". The quote in verse 18 is from Genesis 21:12.
In verse 18 the Greek word translated here "offspring" is literally "seed". The quote in verse 18 is from Genesis 21:12.
By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
The faith of Moses begins with his parents, who had some type of desperate hope when they attempted to save him from the Egyptian king's command to kill the Jewish children. At each stage, Moses acts "in faith" although, to read Exodus, we see also that he was not confident, but at times somewhat confused and desperate. (That these "heroes" were also very frail and vulnerable is very reassuring to me!)
The "Red Sea" in verse 29 is literally "Sea of Reeds." (NIV footnote.)
The faith of the Israelites under Joshua, and then that of Rahab, also play an important part in the Old Testament (and in the lineage of David.) The description of Rahab as a prostitute is a common one, emphasizing God's work among broken people as He builds David's lineage and eventually that of Jesus.
The "Red Sea" in verse 29 is literally "Sea of Reeds." (NIV footnote.)
The faith of the Israelites under Joshua, and then that of Rahab, also play an important part in the Old Testament (and in the lineage of David.) The description of Rahab as a prostitute is a common one, emphasizing God's work among broken people as He builds David's lineage and eventually that of Jesus.
Hebrews 11:32-38, "And many many more!"
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
It is not clear who are described in this passage. We have a list of six names plus "the prophets" and then a list of actions, some identifiable, some not. Are they all from Old Testament passages? from Jewish folklore or history?
NIV footnote on verse 37: "Some early manuscripts [say] stoned; [others say] they were put to the test."
Hebrews 11:39-40, They all wait God's better plan
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
The summary for the readers of this letter -- God has something better, but it may not be in this world; you are part of an eternal, more important kingdom!
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