Hebrews 11:32-40: The Faith of the Future Hope

Introduction

Scripture

Hebrews 11:32–40 ESV

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Outline

Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken

Hebrews 1:5-14 - The Son is Superior to the Angels

Hebrews 2:1-4 - A Warning

Hebrews 2:5-9 - Lowliness to Crowning Glory

Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus has Delivered His Brothers

Hebrews 3:1-4:13 - Jesus is a Greater Rest

Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses

Hebrews 3:7-19 - Disobedience After the Exodus

Hebrews 4:1-13 - A Sabbath Rest for God’s People

Hebrews 4:14-7:26 - Jesus is Greater than Melchizedek

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus is the Great High Priest

Hebrews 5:1-10 - Jesus is the High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 - Warning and Exhortation

Hebrews 5:11-14 - Failure to Mature

Hebrews 6:1-8 - Pursue Maturity

Hebrews 6:9-12 - Loving Motivation

Hebrews 6:13-20 - The Promise of God’s Word and God’s Oath

Hebrews 7:1-10 - The Greatness of Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:11-19 - Jesus’ Priesthood is Needed

Hebrews 7:20-28 - Jesus Guarantees a Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-10:18 - Jesus is the Greater Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-6 - Jesus Mediates a Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:7-13 - The Promise of the New Covenant

Hebrews 9:1-10 - The Earthly Tabernacle Points to What Would Come

Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ is The Mercy Seat

Hebrews 9:15-22 - Blood is Necessary for Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:23-28 - Christ’s Sacrifice Permanently Removes Sin

Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ’s Sacrifice Replaces the Law

Hebrews 10:11-18 - Christ's Sacrifice Fully Forgives Sin

Hebrews 10:19-12:29 - Assurance of Faith

Hebrews 10:19-25 - Because of Christ's Sacrifice Let us...

Hebrews 10:26-31 - A Warning Against Apostasy

Hebrews 10:32-39 - A Warm Encouragement

Hebrews 11:1-11:40 - Faith

Hebrews 11:1-7 - Faith Before the Patriarchs

Hebrews 11:8-22 - The Faith of the Patriarchs

Hebrews 11:23-31 - Faith in the Midst of Danger

Hebrews 11:32-40 - The Faith of the Future Hope

Hebrews 11:32-38 - Old Testaments Examples of Enduring Faith

Hebrews 11:39-40 - Salvation Hoped For and Salvation Realized

Purpose of Book

Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise

Main Point

The Hall of Faith ends with Old Testament saints who were despised, forsaken, beaten, and killed for their faith. Those who are God’s people look forward to the eternal city knowing they are suffering pilgrims on this world.

Hebrews 11:32-38 - Old Testament Examples of Enduring Faith

Hebrews 11:32–38 ESV

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

And what more shall I say?

MUCH to be said about faith in the Old Testament

These examples should inspire them to imitate their faith

For time would fail me to tell

Realizing the length of the sermon, the author now abbreviates Old Testament history faithful

Gideon

Judge

Faithful - Judges 7:1-25 - Getting victory of the Midianite with only 300 men

Blemished - Judges 6:11-40 - Attempted to evade God’s call to leadership AND Judges 8:24-27 - False worship

Barak

Judge

Faithful - Judges 4-5 - Victory over the Canaanites

Blemished - Judges 4:6-8 - Refused to take up arms without Deborah

Samson

Judge

Faithful - Judges 13-15 - A Nazirite who delivered Israel from the Philistines

Blemished - Judges 14-16 - Constantly used his strength for his own gain

Jephthah

Judge

Faithful - Judges 11:29-33 - Victory over the Ammonites

Blemished - Judges 11:29-40 - Exchanged his daughter’s life for victory in battle

David

King

Faithful - The greatest king of Israel’s history

Blemished - 2 Samuel 11-18 - Adultery, murder, family and civil war

Samuel

Prophet

Faithful - 1 Samuel 7:9-11 - Victory of the Philistines

Blemished - 1 Samuel 2 - Did not properly lead his family

WHY THESE EXAMPLES?!?!?! God commends them as faithful because of their faith and trust in Him and His promises

The Prophets

The works of faith regarding the prophets are seen in vss. 33-38

Through faith

Conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises

Conquered kingdoms

Joshua, David, and Solomon all conquered kingdoms

Enforced justice

Established righteousness

The faithful rulers, judges, and prophets did not conquer kingdoms like the rulers, but they played a vital role in the spiritual realm calling the nation to live in the covenant with Yahweh

Obtained promises

Gideon defeated the Midianites

Joshua saw the defeat of Jericho

Rahab was delivered

David was made king

The Abrahamic covenant was fulfilled in the land and the Davidic covenant was fulfilled by God, but they were not fully fulfilled until Christ came

Stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword

Mouths of lions

Daniel 6:22–23 ESV

22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Quenched the power of fire

Daniel 3:25–28 ESV

25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

Escaped the edge of the sword

David

1 Samuel 17:45-47 - Battle with Goliath

1 Samuel 19:10-18 - Escape from Saul

Elijah

1 Kings 19:1-3 - Flees Jezebel

Elisha

2 Kings 6:26-32 - Ben-Hadad Syria

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 26:7-24 - Jeremiah’s own people!

Made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight

Made strong out of weakness

Samson - Judges 16:19-30 - Defeating the Philistines

Gideon - Judges 7 - Defeats an army with 300

Became mighty in war

Conflict made them strong

Put foreign armies to flight

Gideon

David

Maccabees

Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.

Women received back their dead by resurrection

The peak of deliverance - bodily resurrection

1 Kings 17:8-24 - God using Elijah to bring Zarephath’s son back from the dead

2 Kings 4:8-37 - God using Elisha to bring back the Shunammite’s son

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so they might rise again to a better life

Hebrews Exegesis

The author probably has in mind here the torture of Eleazar that led to his death (2 Macc 6:18–31). Also, seven brothers and a mother were tortured “with whips and thongs” (2 Macc 7:1 NRSV).590 “The tongue of their spokesman” was “cut out.” They “scalp[ed] him and cut off his hands and feet” (2 Macc 7:4). He was then fried in a pan (2 Macc 7:5). They also scalped the second brother (2 Macc 7:7). And the remaining brothers and mother were tortured and put to death (2 Macc 7:8–42).

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment

Jeremiah 37:15 ESV

15 And the officials were enraged at Jeremiah, and they beat him and imprisoned him in the house of Jonathan the secretary, for it had been made a prison.

2 Chronicles 16:7–10 ESV

7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in prison, for he was in a rage with him because of this. And Asa inflicted cruelties upon some of the people at the same time.

1 Kings 22:26–27 ESV

26 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.” ’ ”

Hebrews 10:32–34 ESV

32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword

Stoned - Jeremiah in Egypt

2 Chronicles 24:20–21 ESV

20 Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you break the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’ ” 21 But they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord.

Sawn in two - Jewish tradition regarding Isaiah by King Manasseh

Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah

The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Volume 2: Expansions of the “Old Testament” and Legends, Wisdom, and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works Chapter 5

And they seized Isaiah the son of Amoz and sawed him in half with a wood saw. 12 And Manasseh, and Belkira, and the false prophets, and the princes, and the people, and all stood by looking on. 13 And to the prophets who (were) with him he said before he was sawed in half, “Go to the district of Tyre and Sidon, because for me alone the LORD has mixed the cup.” 14 And while Isaiah was being sawed in half, he did not cry out, or weep, but his mouth spoke with the Holy Spirit until he was sawed in two.

Killed with the sword - Kings in both Israel and Judah did that to the prophets

They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth

The examples had no status in society

These saints of the OT were banished from society judged as unworthy, but God has determined the world was not worthy of his suffering people

His people will NOT be accepted by society - they are (AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN) a despised/forsaken people who are pilgrims on this earth

Hebrews 11:39-40 - Salvation Hoped For and Salvation Realized

Hebrews 11:39–40 ESV

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

***Chapter 11 is a discourse unit formed by an inclusio - Faith & commendation in 11:1-2 & 11:39-40***

***Notice the Progression of Chapter 11***

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

And all these

From Abel to the Maccabees

Calling them to remember the examples he’s listed

Commended through their faith

The examples all received commendation from God for their faith

God’s approval/testimony of those who were faithful

Their stories bear witness to us through the Scriptures

Did not receive what was promised

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Since God had provided something better for us

Something better

Inner cleansing that always for His people can look for the fullness of all of God’s promises in the eternal city

Apart from us they should not be made perfect

Under the law they were not made perfect

Hebrews 10:4 ESV

4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

In Christ, they were made perfect

Hebrews 10:14 ESV

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Main Point

The Hall of Faith ends with Old Testament saints who were despised, forsaken, beaten, and killed for their faith. Those who are God’s people look forward to the eternal city knowing they are suffering pilgrims on this world.