See the Bible Through Jewish Eyes BIBLE STUDY WITH DR. RICH FREEMAN
EXAMPLES OF FAITH THROUGH
ISRAEL’S HISTORY: Hebrews 11:32–40
The author of Hebrews begins this section with a
rhetorical question, “And what more shall I say?” The
question itself indicates that the writer thought it
was not necessary to cite any more examples, yet
that is exactly what he does. He now moves through
the period of the judges, the kings, and the prophets
to show that what he taught regarding examples of
faith through the patriarchs and Moses really extend
over Israel’s entire history. The author picks out
various representatives from
those different eras.
He mentions four judges,
Gideon, Barak, Samson, and
Jephthah, as examples of faith,
who interestingly are only
mentioned here in the New
Testament. He also mentions
“David and Samuel and the
prophets” in Hebrews 11:32. In
11:33–34, each of the examples
from the book of Judges, as well
as David, “by faith conquered
kingdoms.” Additionally, David
and Samuel by faith “performed
acts of righteousness.” By faith,
Gideon, Barak and David
“obtained promises” from God.
By faith, Samson, David, and
also Daniel, “shut the mouths of
lions,” and Shadrach, Meshach
and Abed-nego “quenched the
power of fire.” In one way or
another, all of these examples of faith “escaped the
edge of the sword,” and avoided death through their
faith in God. They became mighty warriors through
their faith and thus “put foreign armies to flight.”
Starting in 11:35, these examples of faith from
Israel’s history take a different turn. The writer
points out that ultimately faith will triumph even
over death. He begins by saying, “Women received
back their dead by resurrection.” In the Old
Testament, it was the widow of Zarephath whose
son was raised by Elijah, and the Shunnamite
woman whose son was raised by Elisha. In the New
Testament, it was the widow of Nain whose son was
raised by Jesus, and Martha and Mary whose
brother, Lazarus, was raised by Jesus. But those
resurrections were resurrections to natural life, as
6 The Chosen People | MARCH 2019
they would ultimately die again. Others, in order to
receive a better resurrection, an eternal resurrection,
subjected themselves to great suffering for their
faith, “not accepting their release,” not taking the easy
way out and renouncing their faith or worshiping
other gods. Some Old Testament examples of this
suffering for their faith are Jeremiah, who
experienced mocking and scourging; Joseph, who
experienced chains and imprisonment; Zechariah,
who was stoned; and Isaiah, who
was purported to be sawn in half
by Manasseh. Certainly, the
writer of Hebrews was also
thinking of Paul who went
through all of this then was put
to death by the sword.
Others because of their faith
were “ill-treated” by their own
communities; they were living in
poverty, became homeless, were
forced to wander in deserts and
mountains, and to dwell in dens
and caves. Of these people of
faith, he added an important
parenthetical statement: “(men of
whom the world was not
worthy).” As he wrote these
words, the writer had to have
seen the many parallels between
those he was writing about and
these Hebrew believers who
were reading his letter. Many of
them had been ill-treated by their communities, had
forfeited employment, and were reduced to poverty.
Ultimately, the purpose of this great chapter was to
encourage these believers in their walk of faith. He
concludes with these words in Hebrews 11:39–40:
“And all these, having gained approval through their
faith, did not receive what was promised, because
God had provided something better for us, so that
apart from us they should not be made perfect.”
God intended this inspiring chapter to encourage us
to continue to trust and obey Him in the midst of
temptations, and not to turn away from following
Him faithfully. The implication is that theirs was to
be seen as a future reward during the last days, as is
ours. This gives us motivation to persevere until that
day comes.
Dr. Rich Freeman, D. Min. serves
as the Vice President for Church
Ministries and Conferences with
Chosen People Ministries and
lives in South Florida with his
wife, Julia.
32 And what more shall I say? For time
will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak,
Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel
and the prophets, 33who by faith
conquered kingdoms, performed acts of
righteousness, obtained promises, shut
the mouths of lions, 34quenched the
power of fire, escaped the edge of the
sword, from weakness were made
strong, became mighty in war, put
foreign armies to flight. 35Women
received back their dead by resurrection;
and others were tortured, not accepting
their release, so that they might obtain a
better resurrection; 36 and others
experienced mockings and scourgings,
yes, also chains and imprisonment.
37They were stoned, they were sawn in
two, they were tempted, they were put to
death with the sword; they went about
in sheepskins, in goatskins, being
destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of
whom the world was not worthy),
wandering in deserts and mountains
and caves and holes in the ground.