Hebrews 11:32-40 (from the NRSV (Anglicised))
32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so that they would not, without us, be made perfect.
Reflection
The record of faith moves more hastily now, across almost a thousand years. Here are figures from the books of Judges and Samuel (v.32), and a few lines that summarise their achievements – success in battle, righteous rule, flight from danger, overcoming the odds (vv.33-34). Amid all this, a couple of allusions to ‘mouths of lions’ and ‘raging fire’ appear to recall God’s protective hand on believers in the book of Daniel.
There have been few women in this chapter – only Sarah and Rahab so far. That some ‘received their dead by resurrection’ (v.35) suggests the widows of Zarephath and Shunem, whose sons were restored when Elijah and Elisha visited (1 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 4).
The next lines draw on a book of the Apocrypha to praise Jewish martyrs who resisted Gentile rule (vv35-36, from 2 Maccabees 6 and 7). Other traditions appear to contribute too, from outside our scriptures, of Jeremiah being stoned to death and Isaiah sawn in two (v.37). Finally comes quite a sweeping summary of the fate of the faithful – excluded and exposed, rejected and rootless. Prophets and patriots have travelled this path, and ‘the world was not worthy of them’ (vv.37-38).
As the list concludes, it both gathers up its message and points ahead. All these people ‘were commended’ (v.39) – the note of ‘approval’, ‘attestation’, with which this chapter began (vv.2, 4, 5). They ‘obtained promises’ (v.33), but had not yet reached the great promise of ‘perfection’ (vv.39-40). Only in our era, says Hebrews to its readers, has God’s purpose come to mature fulfilment. Only God’s word and work in the Son will bring the long journey of Old Testament faith to a sure homecoming. Therefore,’ says the writer, as the readers too must press forward, ‘let us look to Jesus’ (12:2).
For prayer
If you were asked to summarise what faith has done through you and for you, what would come to mind? Thank God for this, and pray that other people will find encouragement and energy through what they know about your Christian life.