The Hall of Faith | A Faith In History For Eternity – Hebrews 11:32-40
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:32-40, ESV)
The stories of faith throughout the scriptures are vast and continuous. The author of Hebrews quickly runs through various stories of faith throughout the Old Testament. Each individual mention bringing to mind a story in the minds of the audience reading the letter. To the Hebrews, each event would have been a subtle reminder of the willingness of the saints before them to endure pain, torture, and even death for the sake of the glory of God and all in faith. By no means would anything the people faced be considered easy and or light. Yet, in proportion to the faith given to them, they willfully and faithfully endured every obstacle, challenge, and persecution that came their way. Nothing would be too much for those whose faith was in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 11 ends the Hall of Faith on a note that appears harrowing at first. Yet, in light of faith, the pains of this world fade away when compared with the eternal glory that comes from being in the presence of God. Faith, being the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen drives a person to live beyond themselves. Faith impacts the believer to look to God as the source of all things. It moves to strengthen the believer to rise above the situation with our eyes on the eternal glory in God. In faith, we join the saints and those in the hall of faith, standing with them, enduring the pain for the promises of faith that would come.
Joining The Saints of Old
The author of Hebrews could go for pages and pages, filling the work with story after story of faith in the lives of people. We see he quickly works through the time of the judges, the lives of the kings, and those who stood in exile and their first return. Generations of faith stand the test of the world and found themselves ushered in to the other side of eternity. The stories mentioned serve the point to remind the people of God of where they came. The people of God have endured troubling times, persecution, and even death yet held their head high all throughout history. Those that came before paved the way for those that stand stood. And those that stood then pave the way for those who would come after them. Faith brings unity among the generations of people rooted in the unending and unchanging nature of God in the universe.
The generations of faith that come before us do not possess anything fundamentally different than you or I. Nor has the Gos who is the sole provider and object of our faith changed. He is an unchanging God. When we walk in faith, we walk alongside and should to shoulder with those who have come before us. God empowers the believers by supplying their faith to stand firm in Him. The heroes we admire in the stories of the Old Testament posses the same ontological faith that is available to you and I through the strength of Jesus Christ by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us. We will one day stand in eternity with those who stood before us and worship God in one resounding voice that He is Holy, Holy, Holy!
The Future Promise of Faith
Yet, the author of Hebrews for all the difficulties the people faced, gives a litany of blessings. By faith, people had been raised from the dead by the power of God. By faith, the people of God stood before foreign armies. And by faith, they were made strong out of weakness and stood firm in the goodness of glory of God. All of them had been commended for their faith. Yet the goal of faith is not personal prosperity or commendation but for something that goes beyond our daily life. The land they received during the lifetime could not compare for the promises of eternity that Jesus Christ died for them to receive. By faith, the people would be willing to give up every ounce of this life for the sake of standing with God in the next. The theme of all of Hebrews states that Jesus Christ is the greater covenant than the ones that came before. This stands true, even in faith. The promises of Jesus Christ are the better covenant and promises given to the people beyond whatever they may have received in their lifetime.
Faith trusts that Jesus Christ will provide for us throughout all eternity rather than mere pleasures and blessings of this life. It pushes us to pursue the risen Lord in this life knowing that we will stand with Him in the next. Life offers a blend of challenges and blessings and each comes from the Lord. Yet, there is more to living than the simplicities of this life. Jesus Christ offers everyone who walks in faith in Him the promise of ever lasting life. Our lives will be marked by faith in Jesus Christ. Faith will define our thoughts, our words, and our actions as we submit every aspect of our life in faith. No matter the troubles we face, the persecution, the blessing, or commendation, we point to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In faith, we know that when Jesus died on the cross, that He died for me and His payment set me free from my sins. Out of that, we are forever changed by the graciousness of Him who has set us apart for greater things. No matter what we face, good or bad, we know that, in faith and by the works of Jesus Christ, we will be in right standing with God, forever.
About The Author
Daniel Burton is the founder of The Gospel Outpost. He is passionate about discipleship and seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. To find out more about him, check out his Author Page.
