“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV).

On one level, we might associate this passage with the image of a stadium that is filled with heroes of the faith who cheer us on as we run “…the race that God has planned for us” (NLV). However, we should also consider the possibility that these examples are given to us for a different purpose.

For example, if a reckless, alpha-male (Samson), a frightened, reluctant warrior (Gideon), a prostitute (Rahab), a son of a prostitute (Jephthah), and two men who were guilty of pre-meditated murder (Moses and David) can be counted among these members of the “faith hall of fame,” then we can as well. As one source observes, “It is not so much they who look at us as we who look to them- for encouragement. They have borne witness to the faithfulness of God…” ₍₁₎

In light of this, we are encouraged to “…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles… [and] run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (NIV). This illustration was just as familiar to ancient audiences as it should be to modern-day readers of this epistle. Just as today’s professional athletes train with weighed equipment, runners of the first century also trained with weighted attachments that were removed prior to competition.

This athletic imagery should prompt us to consider those spiritual weights that may restrict our growth in Christ today. While such hindrances might take the obvious form of sinful behavior, there may be other possibilities as well. For instance, something that is ordinarily good might easily devolve into something bad if it prevents us from moving forward on God’s agenda for our lives. Jesus provided us with a few such examples in His parable of the sower…

“…they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).

Therefore. “‘The Christian runner must rid himself even of innocent things which might retard him. And all that does not help, hinders. It is by running he learns what these things are. So long as he stands he does not feel that they are burdensome and hampering.'” _(a) Thus, the word ‘weight’ has the idea of ‘encumbrance.'” ₍₂₎

(1) The New International Commentary On The New Testament – The Epistle To The Hebrews, F. F. Bruce, General Editor © Copyright 1964, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, Michigan [pg. 346]

(2) (a) Nicoll, William Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. “Commentary on Hebrews 12”. The Expositor’s Greek Testament [Hebrews 12:1]. Quoted in, Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament (Hebrews 11:1) Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. [Hebrews 12:1]

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

After providing us with an extensive list of faithful individuals in the previous chapter, the author of Hebrews will now follow with some important conclusions here in chapter twelve…

“Chapter 12 contains three resources that encourage and enable us to run the Christian race with endurance. They are: the example of Jesus (vv. 1- 4), the assurance of the Father’s love (vv. 5-13), and the enablement of God’s grace (help; vv. 14-29).” ₍₁₎

So this chapter opens with a reference to those “heroes of the faith” who comprise this gathering of witnesses. In this context, the word “cloud” conveys the image of a great multitude. The “witnesses” are those who provide testimony regarding the things they’ve seen or experienced. This word-picture thus portrays a large contingent of faithful individuals who serve to inspire and motivate God’s people today.

One question that often arises from this passage is this: “Can this cloud of witnesses view events on earth today much like a group of spectators in a stadium?” Two sources address that question from opposing perspectives…

“The fact that Hebrews 12:1 says, ‘We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,’ just after an entire chapter spent on the discussion of the faith of Old Testament saints who had died (Heb. 11) and the fact that the author encourages us to run the race of life with perseverance because we are surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses both suggest that those who have died and gone before have some awareness of what is going on in the earth. Scripture says very little about this, probably because it does not want us to pray to those who have died or to contact them in any way (note Saul’s great sin in 1 Sam. 28 :7-25). Nonetheless, Hebrews 12:1-2 does give us this slight hint, probably as an encouragement to us to continue also to be faithful to God as were those who have died and gone to heaven before us.” ₍₂₎

“The deceased people of chap. 11 give witness to the value and blessing of living by faith. …The great crowd is not comprised of spectators but rather is comprised of ones whose past life of faith encourages others to live that way (cf. 11:2, 4, 5, 33, 39).” ₍₃₎

(1) Constable, Thomas. DD, Notes on Hebrews 2023 Edition “3. The consequences of apostasy 12:25-29” [12:28-29] https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/hebrews/hebrews.htm

(2) Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, Ml: Zondervan Academic, 2020)

(3) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Heb 12:1

“God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:40).

Our lengthy journey through Hebrews chapter eleven has now come to an end here in verse forty. As we close our look at this portion of Scripture and prepare for our entry into Hebrews chapter twelve, the examples set by these “heroes of the faith” offer an opportunity to reflect upon Jesus’ message from the Gospel of Matthew…

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:31-34).

Finally, several commentators lend some important closing thoughts to this final verse…

“The faith of OT saints looked forward to the promised salvation, whereas the faith of those after Christ looks back to the fulfillment of the promise. Both groups are characterized by genuine faith and are saved by Christ’s atoning work on the cross (cf. Eph 2:8, 9).” ₍₁₎

“The Greek phrasing emphasizes this point by negating the opposite: ‘so that they would not be made perfect without us.'” ₍₂₎

“Hebrews 11 has been called faith’s hall of fame. No doubt the author surprised his readers by this conclusion: These mighty Jewish heroes did not receive all that God had promised because they died before Christ came. In God’s plan, they and the Christian believers (who were also enduring much testing) would be rewarded together.” ₍₃₎

“In the end he says a great thing. All these died before the final unfolding of God’s promise and the coming of his Messiah into the world. It was as if God had so arranged things that the full blaze of his glory should not be revealed until we and they can enjoy it together. The writer to the Hebrews is saving: ‘See! the glory of God has come. But see what it cost to enable it to come! That is the faith which gave you your religion. What can you do but be true to a heritage like that?'” ₍₄₎

“Verses 39-40 summarize the chapter by relating the list of exemplary witnesses to the audience’s experience, and they provide a transition to the argument of 12:1-13.” ₍₅₎

(1) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Heb 11:40

(2) NET Bible notes on Hebrews 11:40 https://classic.net.bible.org/bible.php?book=Heb&chapter=11&mode=print

(3) Life Application Study Bible [Hebrews 11:39-40] Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.

(4) Barclay, William. William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, “The Defiance Of Suffering (Heb_11:35-40).”

(5) Constable, Thomas. DD., Notes on Hebrews 2023 Edition, [11:39-40] https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/hebrews/hebrews.htm

“And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise” (Hebrews 11:39).

It is difficult to resolve the tension between the faith of those mentioned here in Hebrews chapter eleven and the terrible events that befell some of them. When tragic events occur to God’s faithful today, we can draw strength from the encouraging message found in Romans 8:28: “…all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Whenever we face uncertainty regarding the way things have transpired in our lives, we can say that God has a definite purpose behind those events, even if we struggle to understand that purpose. When God allows us to experience those troubles and hardships, it helps to remember that He always has reasons for doing so.

For example, God may allow difficult times to enter our lives to strengthen us (2 Corinthians 12:10) and to increase our trust in Him (Psalm 50:14-15). We can also say that God uses such difficulties to help us develop patience (Romans 5:3-5) and endurance (as we read earlier in Hebrews 10:35-38). God may take the circumstances of our lives and use them as an example to others and demonstrate the proper way to handle trials and problems (2 Thessalonians 1:4). Finally, God may allow difficulties to enter our lives for the purpose of helping others who will later go through similar experiences (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

With these things in mind, it helps to remember that tests do not always take the form of an exam or essay. Instead, the person who can view his or her problems as opportunities to exercise the kind of faith that pleases God is someone who can develop the spiritual endurance that our author will discuss later in the opening verse of the following chapter.

There would be no need for faith if God never allowed us to enter a circumstance that required us to exercise it. Moreover, there are options available to us whenever we face situations that challenge our faith. We can say, “Why did God allow this to happen to me?” Or we can say, “This is an opportunity to exercise the kind of faith that is pleasing to God.” As one commentator has observed, “The OT figures mentioned in ch. 11 did not experience the salvation of Christ’s new covenant during their lifetimes (9:15). Rather, they saw the promise from afar and eagerly awaited its fulfillment (vv. 13, 16).” ₍₁₎

(1) John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Heb 11:39.

“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” (Hebrews 11:37-38).

The best-known Old Testament example of a God-honoring person who “went about in skins of sheep and goats” is undoubtedly Elijah, the famous Biblical prophet. In fact, it appears that Elijah’s clothing made him instantly recognizable to others of his era. For instance, the Biblical book of 2 Kings relates the account of an injury suffered by Israel’s king Ahaziah. When Ahaziah sent messengers to “… inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron”(2 Kings 1:2) regarding his recovery, they were stopped by a man who gave them the following message…

“…’Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Now therefore, thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die’” (2 Kings 1:3-4).

When the king’s messengers returned with this report, Ahaziah asked where they had gotten their information. While these emissaries could not identify the source of their information, the king knew exactly who was involved…

“Then he said to them, ‘What kind of man was it who came up to meet you and told you these words?’ So they answered him, ‘A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist.’ And he said, ‘It is Elijah the Tishbite'” (2 Kings 1:7-8).

Although Ahaziah later attempted to arrest Elijah (a decision that cost the lives of two army captains and one hundred soldiers), he eventually “…died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken” (see 2 Kings 1:9-17). Nevertheless, we should remember that it was inherently dangerous to confront an influential leader in this manner- and others who did so were not so fortunate. ₍₁₎ Therefore, we should not be surprised to learn that some among God’s followers were “destitute, afflicted, [and] mistreated” as mentioned here in Hebrews 11:37.

Then there were others (like Israel’s king David) who were forced to hide in caves from those who sought to arrest them. The same was true of those who lived during Gideon’s era, for that was a time when “…the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains” to protect themselves from the destruction inflicted upon them by the neighboring people of Midian (Judges 6:1-6).

So, unlike those who sought to find their place in this world, these “heroes of the faith” ultimately found that this world was unworthy of their place within it.

(1) As illustrated by Elijah’s New Testament counterpart, John the Baptist.

“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–” (Hebrews 11:36-37 ESV).

One source offers further insight into this reference to “chains and imprisonment” here in Hebrews 11:36: “[This refers] broadly to many within Israel’s history who experienced inhumane treatment at the hands of others (Jer 37:4–21; 20:1–2; 2 Chr 16:7–10; 1 Kgs 22:26–27; 4 Macc 12:2). The price of remaining faithful to God was often suffering, pain, and prison.” ₍₁₎

In addition, this passage reminds us that other faithful individuals were stoned to death, such as a prophet named Zechariah. Then we are presented with the horrific image of those who were “sawn asunder.” The Biblical prophet Isaiah may be the person who is most associated with this fate…

“Traditionally, Isaiah suffered death at King Manasseh’s hand by being ‘sawn in two.’ _[a] ‘According to … mutually complementary rabbinic sources, Manasseh, enraged because Isaiah had prophesied the destruction of the Temple, ordered his arrest. Isaiah fled to the hill country and hid in the trunk of a cedar tree. He was discovered when the king ordered the tree cut down. Isaiah was tortured with a saw because he had taken refuge in the trunk of a tree…” _{[b] (2)}

Hebrews 11:37 continues this brutal imagery with a reference to those who were “slain with the sword.” A third source brings us face-to-face with this cold-blooded, historic reality…

“Some through faith, we have been told, ‘escaped the edge of the sword’, but some through faith ‘were slain with the sword’. Elijah escaped Jezebel’s vengeance, but other prophets of the Lord were ‘slain … with the sword’ at that time (I Kings 19: 10).

If Jeremiah was delivered from Jehoiakim when that king sought his life, his fellow-prophet Uriah was not so fortunate; he foretold the doom of Judah and Jerusalem in similar terms to Jeremiah, and when he fled to Egypt he was extradited from there and brought before Jehoiakim, ‘who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the grave of the common people’ (Jer. 26:23).

By faith one lived, and by faith the other died. So too in the apostolic age Herod Agrippa I ‘killed James the brother of John with the sword’ (Acts 12: 2); but when he tried to do the same to Peter, Peter escaped his hands.” ₍₃₎

Thus, as this same source concludes…

“Faith in God carries with it no guarantee of comfort in this world: this was no doubt one of the lessons which our author wished his readers to learn. But it does carry with it great ‘recompense of reward’ in the only world that ultimately matters.” ₍₄₎

(1) John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Heb 11:36.

(2) [a] The Martyrdom of Isaiah 5:1-14, [b] William L. Lane, Hebrews 9—13, p. 390. Quoted in Constable, Thomas. DD., Notes on Hebrews 2023 Edition, [11:35b-38] https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/hebrews/hebrews.htm

(3) The New International Commentary On The New Testament – The Epistle To The Hebrews, F. F. Bruce, General Editor © Copyright 1964, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, Michigan [pg. 341]

(4) Ibid , p. 342

“Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment” (Hebrews 11:36).

We can look to an event that took place during Jesus’ earthly ministry for insight on how to respond whenever we experience the type of mockery described here in Hebrews 11:36…

“Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, ‘My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.’ So Jesus went with him” (Mark 5:22-24 NIV).

But prior to their arrival at Jairus’ home, “…some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ they said. ‘Why bother the teacher anymore?'” (Mark 5:34-35 NIV). That led to Jesus’ response…

“Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’ …When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.’ But they laughed at him” (Mark 5:36, 38-40 NIV).

So the weeping and crying among this group of mourners turned to mockery and ridicule as they “…laughed [Jesus] to scorn” (KJV). Nevertheless, Mark 5:40 tells us, “…After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was” (NIV).

We should notice that Jesus did not attempt to strike back at those who mocked Him, nor did He insult them in return. Instead, He “…sent them all out of the house” (CEV) and took control of the situation…

“Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat” (Mark 5:40-43).

So those who mocked Jesus were dismissed from His presence. But those who put their faith and trust in Him received an opportunity to see His miraculous work in this child’s life. Thus, as we are reminded in the New Testament epistle of 1 Peter…

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14).

“Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35 NIV).

The closing portion of Hebrews 11:35 speaks of “others were tortured [to death], refusing to accept release [offered on the condition of denying their faith], so that they would be resurrected to a better life” (AMP). While these individuals might have sought to escape that terrible fate, they clearly preferred the eternal value of an honorable death before God.

As mentioned earlier, this passage serves to remind us that faith does not guarantee our deliverance in every instance. The Biblical letter of 1 Peter builds upon that reminder and helps us maintain the right perspective…

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV).

We can also gain insight into this portion of Hebrews with a look at one of Jesus’ parables…

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24:27).

It’s important to note that the same storm descended upon each of these homes. This implies that a life that is built upon the foundation of Christ is not necessarily immune from the common storms of life.

For instance, consider a scenario where God’s people never suffered through a financial issue, a physical ailment, an employment problem, or a business reversal. What would happen if a follower of Christ never wrecked an automobile, failed at school, or lost a loved one? Under those circumstances, Christianity would undoubtedly hold a far greater appeal for many. That appeal would have little or nothing to do with Jesus, but would simply serve as a vehicle to secure an easier life.

However, a life built on the secure foundation of Christ can stand against the storms of life and thus serves to encourage those who seek “…to deserve a more honourable resurrection in the world to come” (Phillips).

“Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35).

Two of the more prominent Biblical examples of women who “received their loved ones back from death” (CEV) are found in the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Kings. In our first example, God directed the prophet Elijah to go to a town called Zarephath where He had arranged for someone to provide for his needs.

Upon his arrival in Zarephath, Elijah encountered a widow who had been gathering sticks to build a fire. She intended to use that fire to prepare a final meal with the last of the flour and oil she possessed. However, Elijah asked her to provide him with a small loaf of bread in advance, and assured her that her supplies would not run out. 1 Kings 17:15 then goes on to tell us, “…she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.”

Unfortunately, we’re also told that this widow’s son later died from an illness. Elijah sought the Lord on her behalf, and 1 Kings 17:22 records God’s response: “…the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.” That prompted the following acknowledgment from the widow of Zarephath: “…’Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth'” (1 Kings 17:22).

In our second example, a kindly woman from the town of Shunem took it upon herself to prepare a meal for the prophet Elisha whenever he traveled through her area. She even furnished a guest room for his personal use whenever he was passing through. One day, while Elisha was partaking of her hospitality, he told the woman that she would give birth to a son in the following year. That prophetic statement eventually came to pass, just as he promised.

Unfortunately, the child succumbed to an apparent cerebral injury some time later. His mother rushed to inform Elisha, and he returned to Shunem at her insistence. When the curative action taken by his servant failed to revive the child, Elisha intervened and God miraculously restored the life of her son (see 2 Kings 4:8-37 for the complete account).

Thus, the examples set by these women serve to remind us of our author’s message from earlier in Hebrews chapter eleven: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

“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” (Hebrews 11:34 ESV).

The ancient figure of a sword is often used to represent the concept of power and authority. For instance, the New Testament book of Romans makes use of this imagery in speaking of our relationship to human government…

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:3-4).

While the book of Romans employs this concept in a figurative sense, we can point to several Biblical examples of those who “escaped the edge of the sword” in a literal manner. Some of those individuals include…

• Moses. Moses escaped the sword of Pharaoh, the leader of the world’s most powerful nation during his lifetime (Exodus 2:15).
• David. He escaped the sword of Goliath as well as Israel’s king Saul (1 Samuel 17:1-58, 1 Samuel 19:9-10).
• Elijah. Elijah escaped a death threat issued by the infamous Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-3).

Then there is a reference to those who “were made strong out of weakness” here in Hebrews 11:34. Gideon serves as an obvious example of this quality, in addition to other Biblical personalities such as Moses, Sarah, Esther, and Samson as well. This characteristic also recalls another passage from the Biblical book of Romans…

“Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed” (Romans 14:4 GNT).

Finally, we have a reference to those who “became valiant in battle” (NKJV) within this passage. Hebrews chapter eleven provides us with several individuals who fit this description, including Abraham, Joshua, Barak, Jephthah, and David.

Yet even though this passage emphasizes the victorious nature of God’s provision, the following verses will also provide us with an important counterbalance. You see, many Godly men and women escaped the edge of the sword, but some did not. This reminds us to take an objective view of this passage and acknowledge that faith does not guarantee our success in every situation.

“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” (Hebrews 11:34).

When it comes to those who “quenched the violence of fire,” we need look no further than the example given to us by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Biblical book of Daniel. Daniel chapter three relates the account of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and his decision to erect an enormous gold statue. He then issued the following mandate to his subjects…

“Trumpets, flutes, harps, and all other kinds of musical instruments will soon start playing. When you hear the music, you must bow down and worship the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who refuses will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace” (Daniel 3:5-6 CEV).

That decree met with widespread compliance among the members of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. However, there were three individuals who declined to follow the king’s edict- and their decision did not escape the notice of others who promptly reported them to the king: “…Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse to worship your gods and the statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:12 CEV).

That led to the following exchange between Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and the king…

“[Nebuchadnezzar said,] ‘I hear that you refuse to worship my gods and the gold statue I have set up. Now I am going to give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue when you hear the music, everything will be all right. But if you don’t, you will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace. No god can save you from me.”

The three men replied, ‘Your Majesty, we don’t need to defend ourselves. The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace. But even if he doesn’t, we still won’t worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up'” (Daniel 3:14-18 CEV).

This made Nebuchadnezzar so furious that he raised the furnace temperature to a level that was seven times hotter than normal. He then ordered his strongest soldiers to bind the three young men and toss them into the fire (Daniel 3:19-23). Here’s what happened next..

“Suddenly the king jumped up and shouted, ‘Weren’t only three men tied up and thrown into the fire?’ ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ his officers answered.
‘But I see four men walking around in the fire,’ the king replied. ‘None of them is tied up or harmed, and the fourth one looks like a god'” (Daniel 3:24-26 CEV).

So by trusting God to protect them by faith in the midst of their fiery ordeal, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego personified the message of Hebrews 11:34.

“who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions” (Hebrews 11:33).

Having spent much of this chapter extolling those who exemplified genuine faith, verses 33-40 will end this portion of our author’s letter with a list of their accomplishments. Nevertheless, we should not limit our view of this passage to those who appear here in Hebrews chapter eleven. Instead, these closing verses also pertain to others, as implied in the opening verse of the following chapter. While many of those individuals may be unknown to history, they are certainly well-known to God.

In looking at this passage, we can cite several Biblical personalities who fit the parameters given to us in this verse. For instance, the first characteristic quality listed in verse thirty-three is this: “Through faith they conquered kingdoms…” (CEB). While Joshua and David are undoubtedly the best-known examples of those who conquered kingdoms, we could add Hezekiah to that list as well (2 Kings 18:1-8).

In addition, the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles mentions another leader named Uzziah who was highly successful in subduing the kingdoms held by several ancient enemies of God’s people. However, Uzziah’s life serves as a better illustration of our need to honor God in humility no matter how successful we become (see 2 Chronicles 26).

Then we have a reference to those who “worked righteousness.” In this context, “righteousness” refers to the quality of being right or just. ₍₁₎ There are several Biblical examples we can follow in this respect. They include such exemplary Biblical characters as Jacob’s son Joseph and John the Baptist. Israel’s King Hezekiah also deserves mention here in light of his extensive spiritual reforms.

With respect to those who “obtained promises,” we can look to several of those who have already been mentioned throughout this chapter, including Abraham, Moses, and David. Joshua and Caleb would fit this category as well.

Finally, we have those who “stopped the mouths of lions.” The unquestioned leader among those who fit this description is the prophet Daniel. God’s gracious act of providence in allowing Daniel to emerge unscathed from an overnight stay in a lion’s den (as detailed in Daniel chapter six) is widely familiar to the religious and secular alike. However, there were some other “heroes of the faith” who also accomplished this feat, including Samson and David.

The following verse continues with this list of positive qualities, and we’ll consider several of them next.

(1) G1343 dikaiosune https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1343/kjv/tr/0-1/

“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” (Hebrews 11:32 RSV).

The Biblical book of 1 Samuel relates the account of the prophet Samuel and the dishonorable conduct of his sons, Joel and Abijah. Although Samuel’s children held positions of power and influence as judges over Israel, they leveraged those positions for personal gain. According to 1 Samuel 8:3, these men “…were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and were very corrupt in the administration of justice” (TLB).

This unfortunate situation deteriorated to the point where Israel’s national leadership felt the need to take action. However, the change they had in mind served to expose their misguided priorities…

“Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. ‘Look,’ they told him, ‘you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have'” (1 Samuel 8:4-5).

That led God to respond to Samuel in the following manner…

“‘Do everything they say to you,’ the Lord replied, ‘for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment'” (1 Samuel 8:7-8 NLT).

God then told Samuel to warn the people about the consequences they would suffer under a king (1 Samuel 8:10-17). But that warning made no difference to Samuel’s audience…

“‘When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the Lord will not help you.’ But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. ‘Even so, we still want a king,’ they said” (1 Samuel 8:18-19 NLT).

This sequence presents us with some interesting dynamics, none of which were good. First, the dishonorable conduct of Samuel’s sons led the elders of Israel to seek a change in judicial leadership. If Samuel’s two sons had chosen to follow their father’s God-honoring example, it’s likely that no one would have sought to make a change. But in asking for a king, the leaders of Israel exploited this situation as a means to pursue their rejection of God.

For Samuel, it must have been difficult to watch the people make this request, especially knowing that his sons provided the motivation for that demand. In circumstances like this, it takes genuine, Biblical faith to maintain the confident expectation that God will bring something good from a bad situation. Thus, we are reminded of Jesus’ message from the New Testament Gospel of Matthew: “…with God, everything is possible” (Matthew 19:26).

“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” (Hebrews 11:32 NASB).

The final example of genuine Biblical faith from Hebrews chapter eleven involves the prophet Samuel. The Old Testament account of Samuel’s life tells us that he was a man who was dedicated to the Lord from his earliest youth (1 Samuel chapter one). He later went on to represent God before a wide variety of people. That list included the members of Israel’s general population, other priests, and the king of Israel himself. Samuel also served as a trusted confidant, political leader, and traveling magistrate at various points throughout his life as well.

The Biblical account of Samuel’s life (found mostly within the first twenty chapters of 1 Samuel), identifies him as someone who led an exemplary life of faith and service before God. In fact, Jeremiah 15:1 characterizes Samuel (along with Moses) as someone who clearly occupied a favored position with God. However, there is one aspect of Samuel’s life that speaks to the challenges involved in raising children who seek to honor God…

“As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice” (1 Samuel 8:1-3 NLT).

It may be said that no one lead a more praiseworthy Old Testament life than Samuel. But somehow, his children did not follow his good example. While the Scriptural record does not tell us how or why this happened, it appears that Samuel somehow failed to convey his personal love and respect for God to his sons.

This unfortunate example links the great prophet Samuel with those parents who have worked to instill Biblical values in their children only to see them abandon those values in adulthood. These parents understand the heartbreak involved in watching a child suffer the repercussions that are often associated with unbiblical choices despite their efforts to help their child make decisions that honor God. For a man like Samuel, the conduct of his sons must have been something that brought him a great deal of pain.

However, there is more to this account of Samuel’s life. The behavior of Samuel’s children prompted Israel’s leaders to ask Samuel to appoint a monarch, much like the other nations that surrounded their country. We’ll close our brief look at Samuel’s life by examining that sequence of events next.

“And what other examples shall I give? There is simply not time to continue by telling the stories of Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jeptha; of David, Samuel and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 Phillips).

Our next “Hall Of Fame” member is David, the former king of Israel. Although David is far better known to contemporary audiences, he was a man much like Jephthah in certain respects. For example, David was someone who faced rejection from his family, much like Jephthah (see 1 Samuel 17:12-29). In a similar manner, David also became the leader of a group of malcontents, rebels, and anti-establishment types, just like Jephthah (1 Samuel 22:1-2).

David and Jephthah were also successful military leaders (1 Samuel 18:13-14), and both had faith in God (1 Samuel 17:45-46). Finally, David and Jephthah each made at least one unwise choice. Jephthah’s decision involved a foolish oath that committed him to sacrifice whatever emerged from his home following his successful military campaign against Israel’s enemies. David’s choice involved his sexual affair with Bathsheba, a woman who was married to another man.

When Bathsheba was found to be pregnant as a result of their encounter, David responded by summoning her husband Uriah from the battlefield. After two failed attempts to encourage Uriah to sleep with his wife, David sent him back to the war zone with specific orders for his deployment. David instructed his commanding officer to send Uriah to the hottest part of the battlefront, while the other members of his military unit withdrew. Uriah, along with some others, subsequently perished in combat.

Following a period of mourning, David took the occasion of Uriah’s death to marry Bathsheba, his widow. However, that portion of the account of David’s life ends with the ominous words of 2 Samuel 11:27: “…But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” Although David ultimately confessed his sin with Bathsheba and received forgiveness, his rule was subsequently plagued by tragedies and setbacks from that point forward.

Yet despite these things, the Scriptures tell us that David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) and we cannot overlook his genuine love for God. Today, David is rightfully honored for his faith and Hebrews chapter eleven places him alongside these other members of the Biblical “Hall of Fame.” So just as we saw in our earlier look at the life of Jephthah, David’s experience tells us that a grievous mistake is not necessarily enough to keep one from entering God’s “Faith Hall Of Fame.”

“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” (Hebrews 11:32 MEV).

Although God enabled Jephthah to secure a resounding victory over one of Israel’s great historic enemies, his foolish vow brought great sorrow in the midst of his triumph. Unfortunately, there are many who continue to follow this example through vows and oaths of their own. For instance, how often have we heard statements like these while engaged in casual conversation…

• “So help me God…”
• “I swear, I’m going to…”
• “As God is my witness…”

Unfortunately, it often seems as if people give little thought to statements like these. However, Jesus issued a solemn warning to those who would take such oaths…

“But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:34-37).

It is important to remember that the term, “I swear…” equates to a vow, even when used informally. In addition to Jesus’ warning from the Gospel of Matthew, we also have the following counsel from the New Testament epistle of James…

“But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no so that you will not sin and be condemned for it” (James 5:12 NLT).

So what does Jephthah’s experience tell us? Well, there are several lessons we can glean from Jephthah’s life…

• First, Jephthah’s example tells us that anyone can have a “hall of fame” type of faith, regardless of his or her family origin.
• Next, we should remember that the people of Jephthah’s hometown were content to exile him to a foreign land. But that changed when they needed him to help defeat their enemies. Nevertheless, Jephthah did not hold that slight against them. Instead, he accepted their leadership offer, and God used him to deliver the people from their adversaries.
• Finally, Jephthah’s example reminds us that bad choices often bring terrible consequences. But even a foolish decision (like the one Jephthah made) will not necessarily keep someone from entering God’s Faith Hall Of Fame.

“Do I need to give you more examples? I don’t have enough time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 ERV).

Prior to his military advance against the Ammonites, Judges 11:30-31 tells us that Jephthah offered the following pledge…

“And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, ‘If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.'”

This was a terrible mistake, for when Jephthah returned home from his victory over the Ammonites, here’s what happened next…

“When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter” (Judges 11:34).

Jephthah’s triumph over Israel’s enemies should have been cause for a joyous celebration, but his foolish vow turned it into an occasion of incredible sorrow. So after a short time to mourn her fate, Judges 11:39 tells us that Jephthah’s daughter then “returned to her father and he did to her as he had vowed” (NIV).

Hebrew and Christian scholars debate as to whether Jephthah actually presented his daughter as a sacrificial offering or simply committed her to a life of consecrated service and celibacy. While a definitive answer may be impossible, one commentator from an earlier generation reminds us to focus upon what’s most important…

“Concerning this and some other such passages in the sacred history, about which learned men are divided and in doubt, we need not perplex ourselves; what is necessary to our salvation, thanks be to God, is plain enough.” ₍₁₎

Nevertheless, it’s clear that Jephthah could have avoided this awful situation if he had not taken this foolish vow. Perhaps this is why Proverbs 20:25 tells us, “It is foolish and rash to make a promise to the Lord before counting the cost” (TLB). The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes adds, “Don’t talk before you think or make promises to God without thinking them through. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so don’t talk too much” (Ecclesiastes 5:2 CEV).

Unfortunately, there are many who continue to follow this poor example in various ways. We’ll consider some practical applications that can help us avoid that mistake next.

(1) Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary [Judges 11:29] https://bibleapps.com/mhc/judges/11.htm

“What more can I say? I would run out of time if I told you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 CEB).

As we move towards the end of our journey through Hebrews chapter eleven, we now pause to examine the life of a highly obscure member of the “Faith Hall Of Fame.” That individual is Jephthah, and we find the details of his life beginning in Judges chapter eleven.

Unlike Samson, it’s probably safe to say that many have never heard of Jephthah. Therefore, we might benefit from an introduction to this little-known member of the Hebrews “Hall of Fame.” Here is Jephthah’s Scriptural debut as given to us in Judges 11:1-2…

“Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. ‘You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,’ they said, ‘because you are the son of another woman'” (NIV).

This was certainly not an auspicious beginning for a hero of the faith. Here we have a man who was born out of wedlock as the son of a prostitute, and rejected by his siblings. Those negative family dynamics eventually led Jephthah to seek a change of address…

“So Jephthah fled from his father’s home and lived in the land of Tob. Soon he had quite a band of malcontents as his followers, living off the land as bandits. It was about this time that the Ammonites began their war against Israel.

“The leaders of Gilead sent for Jephthah, begging him to come and lead their army against the Ammonites. But Jephthah said to them, ‘Why do you come to me when you hate me and have driven me out of my father’s house? Why come now when you’re in trouble?’

“‘Because we need you,” they replied. ‘If you will be our commander-in-chief against the Ammonites, we will make you the king of Gilead.’

“‘Sure!’ Jephthah exclaimed. ‘Do you expect me to believe that?’ ‘We swear it,’ they replied. ‘We promise with a solemn oath'” (Judges 11:3-10 TLB).

If we read further into this narrative, we find that Jephthah first tried to talk things over with the Ammonites (see Judges 11:12-28). Unfortunately, the Ammonites didn’t seem very interested in talking. That was an unwise decision, for the Spirit of the Lord subsequently came upon Jephthah and he began a successful military campaign against Israel’s enemies (Judges 11:32).

However, Jephthah also made a tragic decision that we’ll read about next.

“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” (Hebrews 11:32 AMP).

After Samson foolishly shared the secret of his physical strength with a woman who deceived him, his Philistine enemies subsequently captured him. Samson’s captors mercilessly gouged out his eyes, imprisoned him, and set him to work at the grinding mill. Yet even though Samson was guilty of making some less-than-exemplary choices, the final act of his life served to demonstrate his faith…

“Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, ‘Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.’ When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, ‘Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who laid waste our land and multiplied our slain.’

While they were in high spirits, they shouted, ‘Bring out Samson to entertain us.’ So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. When they stood him among the pillars, Samson said to the servant who held his hand, ‘Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.’

Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. Then Samson prayed to the LORD, ‘O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.’

Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines!’ Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived” (Judges 16:23-30 NIV).

So despite his judgmental errors, Samson turned to God in faith in his final moments. Thus, he secured a place among these other members of the Hebrews 11 “Faith Hall Of Fame.”

Nevertheless, some critics may have difficulty reconciling this act of faith with the horrific deaths of three thousand human beings. In addressing this objection, we should note that those who perished had “…assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god.” If they had not taken part in that idolatrous celebration, they would not have lost their lives. It also fails to recognize the fact that our Creator may require our lives at any moment. Therefore, we should carefully consider the state of our lives and the message of Corinthians 6:2…

“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (NIV).

“Well, how much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah and David and Samuel and all the other prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 TLB).

Our next member of the Hebrews 11 “Faith Hall Of Fame” is Samson, a man whose life story begins in Judges chapter thirteen. Unlike some of the other individuals mentioned in Hebrews chapter eleven, Samson is a name that is probably familiar to most, even those who are unfamiliar with the Biblical Scriptures.

While many are undoubtedly aware of Samson’s great physical strength, a closer look at his life tells us that he demonstrated that strength in a variety of ways. For example, Samson once defeated a thousand enemy fighters with nothing more than a jawbone (Judges 15:15). Samson also killed a lion with his bare hands (Judges 14:5-6), and could easily split ropes that were used to tie him (Judges 16:12). In light of these feats, it’s not surprising to learn that Samson served as Israel’s leader for twenty years (Judges 15:20).

Unfortunately, Samson entered into some personal relationships that were very bad for him. We can find the best-known example of that tendency in Judges 16:4-21. That portion of Scripture relates the account of a woman named Delilah, and how she convinced Samson to share the secret of his strength. Once she persuaded Samson to reveal his secret, she immediately betrayed him to his enemies.

Following Delilah’s betrayal, the Scriptures tell us that Samson’s enemies captured him, dug out his eyes, tied him up with bronze chains, imprisoned him, and set him to work milling grain. So how could someone like Samson, a man who was set apart by God and served as Israel’s national leader for twenty years, end up in that state?

Well, the unfortunate truth is Samson made several bad choices that ultimately led to disastrous consequences. Thus, he serves as a living embodiment of the cautionary message given to us in Galatians 6:7: “Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. You will reap exactly what you plant” (GNT).

Nevertheless, Samson’s experience finds an unlikely parallel in the life of Gideon, another member of the “Faith Hall Of Fame.” Much like Gideon, Samson’s example reminds us that it is not necessarily how we start, but how we finish that counts. After a life of recklessness and imprudence that ultimately led to imprisonment at the hands of his enemies, Samson turned to God in faith. We’ll examine that portion of Samson’s life next.

“And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 RV).

Judges 4:8 records Barak’s response to the prophetess Deborah and God’s call to rescue the people of Israel from the Canaanites: “‘I’m not going unless you go!’ Barak told her” (CEV). In light of that response, we may question how Barak ended up among these other members of the “Faith Hall Of Fame.”

The following passage from the Biblical book of Judges provides us with the answer….

“Then Deborah said to Barak, ‘Go! The Lord is leading you! Today he has given you victory over Sisera.’ So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with his ten thousand men. When Barak attacked with his army, the Lord threw Sisera into confusion together with all his chariots and men. Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot” (Judges 4:14-15 GNT). 

So despite his initial hesitation, Barak faithfully acted on God’s command as given through His prophet. Consider the sequence of events that took place after Deborah and Barak departed to engage Sisera’s army…

• Deborah told Barak, “The Lord says go.”
• Barak moved forward on God’s directive.
• We’re then told, “At Barak’s advance, the LORD routed Sisera…” (Judges 4:15 NIV).

Once Barak demonstrated his faith by acting upon God’s call, God subsequently fulfilled His promise to deliver the people of Israel. In one respect, this account is reminiscent of Joshua’s experience with the city of Jericho. Like Joshua, Barak followed God’s directive and witnessed the fulfillment of His promise as a result. That expression of faith thus led to his recognition here in Hebrews 11.

As for Sisera, Judges chapter four records the gruesome account of his demise…

“Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Hazor’s King Jabin and the family of Heber the Kenite… Then he said to her, ‘Stand at the entrance to the tent. That way, if someone comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ you can say, ‘No.’”

But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent stake and a hammer. While Sisera was sound asleep from exhaustion, she tiptoed to him. She drove the stake through his head and down into the ground, and he died. Just then, Barak arrived after chasing Sisera. Jael went out to meet him and said, ‘Come and I’ll show you the man you’re after.’ 

So he went in with her, and there was Sisera, lying dead, with the stake through his head. So on that day God brought down Canaan’s King Jabin before the Israelites. And the power of the Israelites grew greater and greater over Canaan’s King Jabin until they defeated him completely” (Judges 4:17, 20-24 CEB).

“How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 NLT).

So far, our tour through the Hebrews 11 “Faith Hall Of Fame” has stopped to look at some familiar Biblical personalities (such as Moses and Noah) as well as some lesser-known figures (such as Enoch and Rahab). In this study, we will turn our attention to one of the more obscure individuals in this chapter, a man named Barak.

Barak was an Israelite who lived during the period that is recorded for us in the Biblical book of Judges. The Israelites of that era had suffered for decades under the oppressive rule of a man named Jabin (Judges 4:3). Jabin held a leadership position among the Canaanites, a people group who formerly possessed the land that Israel conquered following their departure from Egypt.

God had earlier decided to remove the Canaanites and several other tribal societies from that area due to their sinful misconduct. However, many remained there despite God’s call to eradicate them (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). Not surprisingly, this led to a great deal of conflict between the Israelites and the Canaanites throughout the ensuing years.

In Barak’s time, Jabin enforced his rule over Israel through a military leader named Sisera. Sisera led an army that included nine hundred iron chariots (Judges 4:3), an impressive display of force that helped the Canaanites maintain control over that region. Unfortunately for Jabin and Sisera, they would soon learn an important lesson concerning the error of trusting in military strength alone…

“Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment. 

One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.’

Barak told her, ‘I will go, but only if you go with me.’ ‘Very well,’ she replied, ‘I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.’ So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh” (Judges 4:4-9).

This less-than-auspicious start will lead to a more favorable conclusion next.

“What more can I say, then? I’ve run out of time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets” Hebrews 11:32 NTE).

After Gideon received some of the gold that the men of Israel plundered in their victory over the Midianites, Judges 8:27 tells us what he did with it: “Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family” (NLT).

It is difficult to find fault with Gideon’s initial request for financial recognition. However, it’s clear that Gideon used those assets inappropriately. Remember that Gideon was a farmer and military leader who received God’s call to deliver Israel from the Midianites. But in creating an ephod (a symbol of spiritual leadership), Gideon clearly moved outside God’s call upon his life. Not surprisingly, the results were disastrous.

Paul the Apostle’s message to the Corinthian church is instructive at this point…

“We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you” (2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT).

Unlike Paul the Apostle. Gideon did not observe the God-ordained boundaries of his work when he chose to create this ephod. He also demonstrated an alarming lack of discernment in creating this image, especially when we consider Israel’s long-standing bias towards idolatry. In light of this, 2 Corinthians 10:13 (along with Gideon’s example) reminds us of the need to “stay in our lanes,” lest we venture outside God’s agenda for our lives.

To be clear, this does not mean we cannot move forward in a venture of faith when a need or opportunity exists. However, there is no benefit to stepping outside our “comfort zones” if we seek to enter an arena where we do not belong. While it is true that we sometimes learn the boundaries of God’s calling when we experience failure in an area of work or ministry, that was not the case with Gideon, for he was clearly not called to a position of priestly leadership.

This ill-advised decision hurt Gideon, his family, and many others because he took it upon himself to do something that God had not called him to do. Thus, we can avoid causing spiritual injury to ourselves and others if we seek to “…stay within the limits of the work which God has set for us” (2 Corinthians 10:13 GNT).

“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 NIV).

Unfortunately, Gideon’s account does not end with the Biblical record of his victory over the Midianites. You see, the Old Testament book of Judges continues with a subsequent portion of Gideon’s life…

“The Israelites said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.’ But Gideon told them, ‘I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you'” (Judges 8:22-23 NIV).

When the people of Israel offered to serve as Gideon’s royal subjects, Gideon countered with the proper response: “…’I’m not the one who will rule over you, and my son won’t rule over you either. The Lord rules over you'” (CEB). If Gideon had only stopped there, things might not have taken a turn for the worse…

“And he said, ‘I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.’ (It was the custom of the Ishmaelites to wear gold earrings.) They answered, ‘We’ll be glad to give them.’ So they spread out a garment, and each man threw a ring from his plunder onto it.

The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels, not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains that were on their camels’ necks. Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family” (Judges 8:24-27 NIV).

So the interval following Gideon’s great victory over the Midianites turned into a period where he fell into a grave spiritual error. In like manner, we should also be alert to the tests and temptations that follow a significant victory in our lives. If we fail to remain spiritually vigilant, we may find ourselves in a similar situation.

Seventeen hundred shekels of gold represented about fifty pounds (23.7 kg) in weight. If that amount of gold was to find its way to a modern-day currency exchange, the resulting value would equate to hundreds of thousands of dollars. We’re then told that Gideon used that reward to create an ephod that he subsequently erected in his hometown.

An ephod was a garment that was typically worn by a priest. As mentioned earlier in our look at Hebrews, one of the primary responsibilities of a priest involved the act of representing others before God. A priest was also responsible for presenting the sacrificial offerings that were necessary to atone for the sins of the people. So why did Gideon choose to create this symbol of spiritual leadership? Therein lies an important spiritual lesson that we’ll consider next.

“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” (Hebrews 11:32 NET).

We continue with the account of Gideon’s attack upon a group of enemy soldiers as chronicled in the Biblical book of Judges…

“[Gideon] divided the three hundred men into three units and equipped every man with a trumpet and an empty jar, with a torch inside each jar. ‘Now watch me,’ he ordered them, ‘and do what I do. When I get to the outpost of the camp, do just what I do. When I blow the trumpet, along with all who are with me, then you blow the trumpets, all of you surrounding the whole camp. And then shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’

Gideon and one hundred of his men moved to the outpost of the camp at the middle watch of the night, when they had just changed the guards. Then they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. So the three units blew their trumpets and broke their jars, holding the torches with their left hands and blowing the trumpets in their right hands. And they called out, ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!’

Each man stood fast in his position around the camp, and the entire camp took off running, shouting, and fleeing. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord turned the swords of fellow soldiers against each other throughout the whole camp. The camp fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, to the border of Abel-meholah, beside Tabbath” (Judges 7:16-22 CEB).

So this narrative reminds us that it is not how we start, but how we finish that counts. You see, Gideon may have begun as a frightened and insecure individual, but God transformed him into a person of leadership and courage. Gideon responded to God’s call with honesty, humility, and respect, and the Lord responded by enabling him to overcome his initial reluctance. Thus, God empowered Gideon to fulfill his calling.

The good news is that this is just as true for us as it was for Gideon. If God could help a person like Gideon overcome His fearfulness, then He can certainly do the same for us as well. God has the ability to write Gideon’s story in each of our lives- and if He could do this for Gideon, He can do so for us.

Unfortunately, Gideon’s account did not end there, and we will examine a far less encouraging episode from Gideon’s life next.

“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 KJV).

After God invited Gideon to approach the enemy encampment of the Midianites, the Biblical book of Judges records what happened next…

“…So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream.

The man said, ‘I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!’ His companion answered, ‘Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!’

When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, ‘Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!'” (Judges 7:11-15 NLT).

This portion of Scripture illustrates God’s grace and patience as He encouraged Gideon to face the seemingly insurmountable odds that lay before him. It also demonstrates how the Lord continued to support and reassure Gideon in the midst of his uncertainty. Those efforts helped transform Gideon from a frightened, reluctant farmer to a bold, confident man of God.

In fact, the Old Testament book of Psalms describes many similar attributes of God that serve to comfort and encourage us as we face the challenges of life. For instance…

“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15).

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8).

“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy” (Psalm 145:8).

Thus, we have the Biblical encouragement to emulate these characteristics within our lives…

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:12-13 NLT).

“And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 HCSB).

After instructing Gideon to redeploy his troops to an area where they could obtain drinking water, God proceeded to separate the members of Gideon’s army in an unusual manner…

“‘…the Lord told him, ‘Watch how each man gets a drink of water. Then divide them into two groups—those who lap the water like a dog and those who kneel down to drink. Three hundred men scooped up water in their hands and lapped it, and the rest knelt to get a drink.

”The Lord said, ‘Gideon, your army will be made up of everyone who lapped the water from their hands. Send the others home. I’m going to rescue Israel by helping you and your army of 300 defeat the Midianites'” (Judges 7:5-7 CEV).

So why would God make this kind of selection? One answer was given to us earlier within the Biblical text: “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength'” (Judges 7:2 NLT). However, there may have been another contributing factor.

You see, a soldier who drinks while kneeling down to face a water source is at a disadvantage. For instance, an enemy combatant might sneak up from behind, push that soldier’s face into the water, and hold it there until he drowned. However, the soldiers who brought water to their mouths maintained their situational awareness and avoided that danger. So even though they were fewer in number, these soldiers may have been better prepared to fulfill their mission objective…

“So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley.

During that night the Lord said to Gideon, ‘Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.’ So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.

The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream…” (Judges 7:8-13 NIV).

We’ll look at this dream (and its interpretation by Israel’s enemies) next.

“What more should I say? I don’t have enough time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 GW).

Even though Gideon is a member of the Faith Hall Of Fame, it’s clear that he was someone who felt the need to confirm God’s direction more than once…

“Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.’ And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.

Then Gideon said to God, ‘Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.’ And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew” (Judges 6:36-40 ESV).

Gideon’s example should thus encourage us whenever we feel unsure of God’s direction. His response tells us we can ask God to confirm His will for our lives if we do so with a similar attitude of respect.

With that, let’s continue with the account of Gideon’s life from Judges chapter seven…

“Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the troops with him got up early and camped above En Harod. Midian’s camp was north of him at the hill of Moreh in the valley. The Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men with you for me to hand Midian over to you. Israel might brag and say, ‘We saved ourselves.’ Announce to the troops, ‘Whoever is scared or frightened should leave Mount Gilead and go back home.’ ” So 22,000 men went back home, and 10,000 were left.

The Lord said to Gideon, ‘There are still too many men. Bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one will go with you,’ he must go with you. And if I say to you, ‘This one won’t go with you,’ he must not go.”

So Gideon took the men down to the water. The Lord said to him, ‘Separate those who lap water with their tongues like dogs from those who kneel down to drink.’ Three hundred men lapped water with their hands to their mouths. All the rest of the men knelt down to drink water” (Judges 7:1-6 GNT).

We’ll consider a theory that may explain why God separated Gideon’s infantry in this manner next.

“Should I go on? There isn’t enough time for me to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 GNB).

In addition to Gideon’s example from Judges chapter six, let’s consider the men whom Jesus chose to be His disciples. Among those individuals were four fishermen (James, John, Peter, and Andrew), a tax collector (Matthew, also known as Levi), a skeptic (Thomas), a political extremist (Simon the Zealot), and four nobodies (everyone else).

It’s probably safe to say that most people would not have chosen these candidates if they were in Jesus’ position. Nevertheless, these were the men Jesus chose. Therefore, we should be thankful that God follows a different protocol with regard to His work in our lives. As it has often been said, “God does not necessarily call those who are qualified; instead, He qualifies those whom He has called.”

We can illustrate this truth when we consider the various aspects of God’s message to Gideon…

• “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12 NIV).
• “‘Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!'” (Judges 6:14 NLT).
• “‘You can do it because I will help you. You will crush the Midianites as easily as if they were only one man'” (Judges 6:16 GNT).

How could the Lord make these statements to a man who was hiding from the people he was called to defeat? We find the answer in Judges 6:16: “The LORD answered, ‘I will be with you…'” (NIV). If God is with us, we can accomplish anything He calls us to do. Of course, this is not only true for Old Testament personalities like Gideon; we can find similar examples in the New Testament as well…

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NIV).

These examples tell us that God doesn’t necessarily use those who seemingly have the most to offer. This explains how a frightened and uncertain man like Gideon ended up as a successful military leader- and it wasn’t long before Gideon was given his first opportunity to engage the enemy…

“Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and other neighboring nations united in one vast alliance against Israel. They crossed the Jordan and camped in the valley of Jezreel. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet as a call to arms, and the men of Abiezer came to him. He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their fighting forces, and all of them responded” (Judges 6: 33-35 TLB).

Nevertheless, we’ll soon see that Gideon will require some additional persuasion before entering into battle.

“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” (Hebrews 11:32 ESV).

Our review of Gideon’s life from the Biblical book of Judges continues with the record of his interaction with the angel of the Lord…

“But again Gideon said to him, ‘With all due respect, my Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I’m the youngest in my household.’ The Lord replied, ‘Because I’m with you, you’ll defeat the Midianites as if they were just one person.’

Then Gideon said to him, ‘If I’ve gained your approval, please show me a sign that it’s really you speaking with me. Don’t leave here until I return, bring out my offering, and set it in front of you.’ The Lord replied, ‘I’ll stay until you return.’ So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and used an ephah of flour for unleavened bread. He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot and brought them out to him under the oak and presented them.

Then God’s messenger said to him, ‘Take the meat and the unleavened bread and set them on this rock, then pour out the broth.’ And he did so. The Lord’s messenger reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire came up from the rock and devoured the meat and the unleavened bread; and the Lord’s messenger vanished before his eyes.

Then Gideon realized that it had been the Lord’s messenger. Gideon exclaimed, ‘Oh no, Lord God! I have seen the Lord’s messenger face-to-face!’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Peace! Don’t be afraid! You won’t die.’ So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it ‘The Lord makes peace.’ It still stands today in Ophrah of the Abiezrites” (Judges 6:15-24 CEB).

Now that we’ve met Gideon, what kind of person did he seem to be? Was he a heroic man? Did he project an image of confidence? Was he a person of bravery, courage, and fearlessness? Not at all. Gideon was clearly someone who was frightened, confused, and unsure of himself. However, Gideon was not the only Biblical personality to exhibit these characteristics in response to God’s calling.

For instance, let’s reconsider Moses’ example from earlier in this chapter. When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Exodus 4:13 records his response: “My Lord, I beg you to send someone else, not me” (ERV). We also have the example of the great prophet Jeremiah. When God called Jeremiah to be His spokesperson, Jeremiah responded by saying, “‘O Sovereign Lord… I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!'” (Jeremiah 1:6 NLT).

We’ll consider twelve similar examples from the New Testament next.

“What else can I say? There isn’t enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets” (Hebrews 11:32 CEV).

The Old Testament book of Judges contains the following admonition from the Lord to the people of Israel: “I told you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.’ But you have not obeyed me” (Judges 6:10 CEV). This passage is worthy of our attention, for we may leave ourselves open to a similar admonition whenever we choose to neglect our relationship with God.

This recalls the cautionary message given to us earlier in Hebrews 2:1: “We ought, therefore, to pay the greatest attention to the truth that we have heard and not allow ourselves to drift away from it” (Phillips). If we drift from our relationship with Christ in such a manner, it may only be a matter of time before we begin to make bad decisions that lead to painful repercussions. The nation of Israel repeatedly engaged in that type of behavior throughout the Biblical book of Judges and suffered the consequences as a result.

One way to avoid that negative example involves a few simple practices that are given to us in the New Testament book of Acts. You see, Acts 2:42 identifies four important spiritual disciplines observed by the early church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (NIV).

We can understand this to mean that the early church focused on four specific areas: prayer, Bible study (the apostles’ teaching), communion (breaking of bread), and regular church attendance (the fellowship). These four spiritual disciplines can help us maintain the priority relationship with God that He deserves and avoid the circumstances that led to Gideon’s introduction in Judges chapter six…

“The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’

‘Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.’

The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'” (Judges 6:11-14 NIV).

We’ll continue with a look at Gideon’s response next.

“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” (Hebrews 11:32).

Although the author of Hebrews could have added to names given to us here in chapter eleven, the constraints of time limited him from continuing with a list of other heroes of the faith who were equally worthy of recognition. As one source wryly observes, “He has not run out of examples, but only out of time.” ₍₁₎

Thus, the final stops on our tour through the Hebrews 11 “Faith Hall Of Fame” takes us to visit with six well-known (and not so well-known) examples of genuine Biblical faith. The first four individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 (Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah) all lived during the Old Testament period chronicled in the Biblical book of Judges. Samuel and David also lived near the end of that period and shortly thereafter.

While some of these names may be more recognizable than others, each of these individuals can tell us something important about what it means to live a life that honors God in faith. That becomes especially clear when we look at the first person mentioned in Hebrews 11:32, a man named Gideon.

We find Gideon’s account beginning in the sixth chapter of the book of Judges. But before we get to Gideon, we’ll begin with some important background information from the opening verses of Judges chapter six…

“Then once again the Israelites started disobeying the Lord, so he let the nation of Midian control Israel for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that many Israelites ran to the mountains and hid in caves.

Every time the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites invaded Israel together with the Amalekites and other eastern nations. They rode in on their camels, set up their tents, and then let their livestock eat the crops as far as the town of Gaza. The Midianites stole food, sheep, cattle, and donkeys. Like a swarm of locusts, they could not be counted, and they ruined the land wherever they went.

The Midianites took almost everything that belonged to the Israelites, and the Israelites begged the Lord for help. Then the Lord sent a prophet to them with this message:

I am the Lord God of Israel, so listen to what I say. You were slaves in Egypt, but I set you free and led you out of Egypt into this land. And when nations here made life miserable for you, I rescued you and helped you get rid of them and take their land. I am your God, and I told you not to worship Amorite gods, even though you are living in the land of the Amorites. But you refused to listen” (Judges 6:1-10 CEV).

This sets the stage for Gideon’s entry into our narrative next.

(1) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary Edited by Arthur Farstad, Thomas Nelson Publishers [pg. 2200].

“By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed” (Hebrews 11:31 HCSB).

As we close our look at Rahab’s place in the Hebrews 11 “Faith Hall Of Fame,” one question remains: “Why has Rahab received this honor in view of her character?”

The immediate answer to that question involves the agreement Rahab made with the members of the Israelite reconnaissance team. In return for hiding them from Jericho’s police force, Rahab secured their promise to protect her household when the people of Israel conquered the city. The spies agreed to those terms on two conditions…

1. Rahab had to place a scarlet cord in her window.
2. Everyone remained within her home during the invasion (see Joshua 2:12-24).

Rahab fulfilled those terms and thus entered this portion of Scripture on the basis of her faith, not on her former life as a prostitute.

Another question regarding Rahab is this: “How could God commend Rahab when she lied to protect the spies who entered Jericho?” To address that question, we should first consider the fact that Rahab was a not an Israelite. She had heard of Israel’s God and was aware of His power and ability, but she did not know Him.

Although we can say that Rahab’s conscience should have told her it was wrong to lie, it is also true that she did not have access to that prohibition in the Mosaic Law. Rahab also did not have access to the other standards of right and wrong that God established for the people of Israel.

We should also recognize that Rahab may have faced an insurmountable problem. You see, it may not have been possible to hide the spies and tell the truth to Jericho’s police force at the same time.

In addition, it’s important to note that Rahab risked her life in choosing to hide the Israelite spies. If Rahab was found to be harboring those men as criminal fugitives, she undoubtedly would have paid with her life. These things do not excuse Rahab for lying (which was wrong) but it did save the Israelite spies from death (which represented a greater wrong).

So, even though Rahab lied to protect the spies, the act of giving them up to Jericho’s authorities would have promoted something worse. We find other examples of lying to prevent a greater wrong in Exodus 1:15-21 and Jeremiah 38:24-27. Again, this does not excuse lying (which is wrong), but it is also clear that the Bible allows for the consideration of extenuating circumstances if they exist.

Finally, we should remember that the Bible does not say that Rahab was honored for lying. On the contrary, Rahab demonstrated her faith in the one true God. She believed God was going to give Jericho to the people of Israel and acted on that belief by hiding the spies. So Rahab wasn’t praised for lying, but she was honored for her faith.

“By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace” (Hebrews 11:31 NET).

So how did Rahab the prostitute enter the Hebrews 11 “Faith Hall Of Fame”? Well, Rahab entered this portion of Scripture by virtue of her authentic, God-honoring faith. For instance, Rahab’s faith was clearly aligned with the definition of faith given to us earlier in Hebrews 11:1: “…faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see” (ESV).

Next, we can say that Rahab clearly believed in God’s existence. That belief led her to risk her life in hiding the members of the Israelite reconnaissance team who entered the city of Jericho. Thus, Rahab expressed the kind of faith we read about earlier in Hebrews 11:6…

“You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him” (TLB).

Rahab also demonstrated the fact that she took God and His word seriously. She believed God could save her from the coming destruction of the city. She also trusted Him to ensure that the people of Israel followed through on their commitment to spare her life when they conquered the city. Thus, Rahab’s example reveals a great deal about genuine Biblical faith and how that faith should influence our actions.

Because of this, God has chosen to honor Rahab with a place in the Biblical Faith Hall Of Fame. This has also led one commentator to the following conclusion…

“[This] is a tremendous revelation of the fact that God did not arbitrarily destroy the city of Jericho. You see, for forty years word had been filtering into Jericho about a people who crossed the Red Sea. In other words, Rahab said, ‘It was forty years ago when we heard about that. And I for one believed. Others believed the facts, but they did not believe in God. They never trusted the living God.’

Later on, they heard how God was leading Israel and that He had given them victory on the other side of the Jordan against the Amorites. Jericho should have profited from that information. Finally Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan River and parked right outside the door of Jericho. What had God been doing? He had been giving the city an opportunity to believe in Him, to trust Him, and to turn to Him.” ₍₁₎

(1) J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee, “Hebrews 11:31 The Faith Of Rahab” Copyright 1981 by J. Vernon McGee

“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies” (Hebrews 11:31 ESV).

We continue with Rahab’s account from Joshua chapter two as she explained her rationale for hiding the Israelite spies who had been conducting a reconnaissance mission within her city…

“Before the spies settled down for the night, Rahab went up on the roof and said to them, ‘I know that the Lord has given you this land. Everyone in the country is terrified of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea in front of you when you were leaving Egypt. We have also heard how you killed Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan. We were afraid as soon as we heard about it; we have all lost our courage because of you.

The Lord your God is God in heaven above and here on earth. Now swear by him that you will treat my family as kindly as I have treated you, and give me some sign that I can trust you. Promise me that you will save my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families! Don’t let us be killed!’

The men said to her, ‘May God take our lives if we don’t do as we say! If you do not tell anyone what we have been doing, we promise you that when the Lord gives us this land, we will treat you well.’

Rahab lived in a house built into the city wall, so she let the men down from the window by a rope. ‘Go into the hill country,’ she said, ‘or the king’s men will find you. Hide there for three days until they come back. After that, you can go on your way.’

The men said to her, ‘We will keep the promise that you have made us give. This is what you must do. When we invade your land, tie this red cord to the window you let us down from. Get your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s family together in your house. If anyone goes out of the house, his death will be his own fault, and we will not be responsible; but if anyone in the house with you is harmed, then we will be responsible. However, if you tell anyone what we have been doing, then we will not have to keep our promise which you have made us give you.”

She agreed and sent them away. When they had gone, she tied the red cord to the window” (Joshua 2:1-21 GW).

Once again, it’s important to note that the residents of Jericho were aware of God’s presence and power, even going back decades earlier to His parting of the Red Sea. But only one of the city’s inhabitants -Rahab- proved willing to act on that knowledge by faith.