Hebrews 11:32-40

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,³³ who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. ³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes in the ground.³⁹ And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”

Verse 32: The author of Hebrews acknowledges that there are many more examples of faith in the Old Testament that could be mentioned. He briefly mentions figures such as Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. These individuals all demonstrated faith in various ways and played significant roles in God’s redemptive plan.

Verse 33: These faithful individuals accomplished great feats through their faith. They conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and obtained the promises of God. They even faced dangerous situations, like Daniel in the lion’s den, and experienced God’s miraculous deliverance.

Verse 34: By their faith, these individuals were able to extinguish raging fires, escape the threat of death by the sword, and experience supernatural strength in their weakness. They became mighty warriors who defeated foreign armies through the power of God.

Verse 35: Some women, through their faith, witnessed the resurrection of their loved ones. They experienced the power of God to bring the dead back to life. However, there were also those who faced persecution and torture for their faith, choosing to endure suffering in anticipation of the ultimate resurrection and eternal life.

Verse 36: These faithful individuals endured mockery, beatings, and imprisonment because of their commitment to God. They remained steadfast in their faith, even in the face of intense opposition and persecution.

Verse 37: Some of these faithful believers faced brutal deaths, being stoned, sawed in two, or killed by the sword. They lived in poverty, wearing rough clothing made from animal skins. They endured persecution and mistreatment for their unwavering faith in God.

Verse 38: These faithful individuals were considered too precious for the world they lived in. They were forced to wander in desolate places, seeking refuge in deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground. Their commitment to God set them apart from the world and led them to endure great hardships.

Verse 39: Despite their incredible faith and the commendation they received, none of these Old Testament figures fully experienced the fulfillment of God’s ultimate promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. They lived in anticipation of the coming Messiah, looking forward to the day when God’s redemptive plan would be fully revealed. We have received what was promised. When we believe in Jesus we experience the blessings of the New Covenant.

Verse 40: Notice that the author wants us to realize how good we have it on this side of the cross. We often uphold the saints from the Old Covenant and champion their faith in God. But we have something better than they did. We should not want to trade our faith for theirs for anything. We have Jesus and the New Covenant founded in his blood. God had a greater plan in mind for these faithful individuals. He intended for them to be part of a larger story of redemption that would include all believers, both past and present. It is through Jesus Christ that they, along with us, would be made perfect and experience the fullness of God’s salvation.