Hebrews 11:32-40

Hebrews 11:32-40
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

The Author's Case Rests

The author of Hebrews rests his case. He has presented incredible examples of Old Testament men and women who accomplished extraordinary things through faith. To cover every example would require recounting the entire Old Testament—he would run out of time and paper. The urgency of his letter reminds his audience of the gospel, the perfect work of Jesus Christ, motivating them to endure severe trials.

These examples lead us to grasp the author's point: Faith has proven effective in the lives of saints who had less revelation than we do. We should be encouraged by this same faith to endure hardship, obey God, and glorify Him.

If they, on whom the light of grace had not yet so brightly shone, displayed such great constancy in enduring evils, what ought the full brightness of the gospel to produce in us? A small spark of light led them to heaven; when the Son of righteousness shines over us, with what deception can we excuse ourselves if we still cleave to the earth?

—John Calvin

Old Testament saints lived under shadows and copies of things to come, exercising faith forward toward Christ's coming. We look back to His accomplished work. They had less revelation—a spark of hope in progressive promises from Abel's gospel seed of the woman to the Exodus wanderers. Yet that faith accomplished mighty works cataloged in Hebrews 11.

We have fuller revelation in Christ, the substance, not shadows. They focused on God's promises; we, with full revelation, should walk even more by faith, trusting and relying completely on Jesus, the object of our faith.

Three Key Characteristics of Faith

1. Final Character Studies to Imitate

These final examples—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—are models not of specific actions, but of walking by faith. We imitate their faith, waging war against spiritual forces, not flesh and blood. As Paul said, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ."

These flawed men demonstrate faith's power despite blemishes: David's sin with Bathsheba, Jephthah's rash vow leading to tragedy (not God's endorsement of sacrifice, but folly in adding to God's plan—see Judges 11), Gideon's fleece for confirmation showing reluctance.

Yet Gideon stepped out in faith after less revelation than we have—our "drenched fleece" is the Bible itself. Barak defeated Sisera's superior army; Gideon routed Midianites with 300 men after God reduced his forces to ensure humility and maximize God's glory. God humbles us through hardships to dwell with the lowly.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself. Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Samson, weakened by sin yet strengthened in prayer; Jephthah victorious despite his vow; Samuel's integrity; David's psalms pointing to Christ—all teach trust in God's grace and forgiveness. Faith moved them beyond sin, enemies, and self, fixing eyes on eternal reward: enjoying Christ forever.

1 Corinthians 15:31-32
I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If from human motives I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

Paul's gospel focus—Christ crucified and risen—motivates holy living amid disunity and immorality. Without resurrection hope, life is futile. Faith looks past momentary afflictions to eternal glory.

2. The Split Between Two Groups

Verses 33-35a describe victories: subduing kingdoms, working righteousness, stopping lions' mouths, quenching fire, escaping swords, strength from weakness, valiant battles, women receiving dead raised. We crave such faith-produced success.

Then the shift (v. 35b): others tortured, refusing deliverance for better resurrection; mockings, scourgings, chains, stoning, sawn in two, slain by sword, wandering destitute in sheepskins and goatskins—"of whom the world was not worthy."

Why one group victory, the other suffering? Both meet the criteria: strength from weakness. Victors humbled by chaos embraced faith; sufferers stretched on racks yet faithful. Both worthy beyond the world—gospel-centered lives benefit communities.

One group: victorious conquerors. The other: quality sufferers. Both display Christ: conqueror of sin, sufferer for sin. Jesus endured, accomplished the Father's will (our salvation), and returned to glory. Our gospel motivation mirrors His—embracing salvation produces perseverance beyond hindrances.

3. The Unification of Faith

All obtained good testimony through faith but did not receive the promise—God provided something better, perfecting them together with us. Faith unites Old and New Testament saints in the same salvation method.

Faith rules lives committed to God's purpose, reflecting His glory and displaying the gospel. It's the same faith felling Jericho's walls, gifted to Abraham's heirs. It performs well through victories or sufferings—not to earn favor, but from God's grace (justification). Faith never leaves; God never forsakes.

Psalm 130:3-4: If the Lord marked iniquities, who could stand? But with Him is forgiveness. All start equal—sinners saved by Christ. Faith produces lives of purpose, pleasing God despite flaws.

First-century Christians thanked God for suffering-worthiness, their Savior having borne wrath. All trials work for good (Romans 8:28). Faith seeks Jesus over worldly gain, enduring by grace for eternal reward with our Savior.