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 [w]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others [x]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, [y]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.”
The Old Testament figures accomplished some incredible feats for God. In many ways, what they did makes modern Christian behavior look lacking. But the author of Hebrews makes a startling point: These people did not receive what was promised. God had something better on our side of the cross. The New Covenant blessings we have in Christ are priceless in comparison to the Old Testament feats. So, these Old Testament figures did gain approval for their faith, but God provided something better for us. This something better, the New Covenant, has nothing to do with anything we do. The something greater is Christ. He is the better High Priest, and the better covenant is founded in Him. We are completely forgiven; free from the law; and have a new identity and nature. We have the life of Jesus Christ Himself. We are the new Holy of Holies. This is better than any aspect of the Old Covenant.
