Hebrews 11:32-40

The author continues his journey through the Old Testament. In verses 3-31 he discussed Genesis 1 through the book of Joshua. Here he picks up in the book of Judges and continues through the Prophets.

1. Gideon
--Doubted (Judges 6:13, 15, 17, 34, 36, 39)
--Trusted (Judges 7:2-3, 4, 6-7, 9-10)
--Worked (Judges 8:4-5)
--Gave glory to God (Judges 8:22-23)

2. Barak
--Gained victory (Judges 4:15)

3. Samson
--Great strength (Judges 14:6, 19)
--Didn't continue in faith (Judges 16:20)
--Regained his faith (Judges 16:28-30)

4. Jephthah
--Gained victory (Judges 11:30-32)

5. David

6. Samuel

7. Prophets

All of the above were flawed, many had humble beginnings, some of them had great faith blemishes, but all of them accomplished great works through faith in God.

The author, next, lists some of the accomplishment of the faithful from the Old Testament:

1. Conquered kingdoms (Joshua, some of the Judges, David, etc)
2. Administered Justice (Nehemiah, etc)
3. Gained what was promised (Joshua 21:45, Hebrews 6:15)
4. Shut the mouths of lions (Daniel, Samson, David)
5. Quenched the fury of the flames (Shad/Mesh/Abed)
6. Escaped the edge of the sword (Elijah, David)
7. Weakness turned to strength (Samson, Hezekiah: 2Kings 20:1-6)
8. Became powerful in battle (Gideon, etc)
9. Women received back their dead (Elijah/Elisha: 2Kings 4:8-37)

If the chapter stopped in the midst of verse 35, one might think that faith negates pain and suffering in every instance. But the chapter continues by listing some of the seeming defeats experienced by people of great faith:

1. Tortured and refused to be released (Jeremiah, etc)
2. Faced jeers & flogging
3. Chained and put in prison
4. Stoned
5. Sawed in 2 (Isaiah- tradition)
6. Put to death by the sword
7. Went about in sheepskins & goatskins, destitute, persecuted, mistreated (Elijah)
8. Wandered in deserts/mountains/caves/holes-in-the-ground

All these, no matter what their accomplishments or demises, are celebrated for their faith. Though some of them received a type/shadow/glimpse of the promises (Abraham: Hebrews 6:15, Joshua 21:45), none of them received what had been promised in full.

In keeping with the overall theme of the letter, the author describes the situation of his readers as 'better' than that of the heroes from the Old Testament. It is not WE who should long to be part of THEIR experience, but THEY who should long to be part of OUR experience. The experience being that of knowing the Messiah/Savior, Jesus Christ. Thus, it made no sense for any to turn back to Judaism. What made sense was to move forward in faith and with the presence of Christ.