Hebrews 11:1-2, 6, 32-40

^NIV Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for. (Heb. 11:1 NIV)

^NAS Hebrews 11:6 And 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 seek Him. (Heb. 11:6 NAS)

^NAS Hebrews 11:32 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, ³³ who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. ³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They 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. ³⁹ And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Heb. 11:32 NAS)

Thoughts from Hebrews 11

One of the fundamental needs that all of us have is to be esteemed by others. We want our lives to have significance and for others to recognize what we are and have done. More important, as believers, we desire to be approved of God. We would like to pass the tests of life and have a good report card. We want to hear the Master say “well done” when we see Him face-to-face. We want to please Him.

We learn in Hebrews 11 how we can please God. Usually, we think of Hebrews 11 as the “faith” chapter of the Bible, but when you look at it closely, you discover that the theme is “pleasing God.” The chapter makes the point that it is through faith that we obtain a good report. We walk through the door of faith to enter the room of God’s approval.

As used in Hebrews 11:1-2, the word faith is the substance of things “hoped for” and the “evidence” of things not seen. It is the belief in promises, persons, things, and results which are yet unseen by the human eye. Faith is the conviction and assurance that God exists and that His promises are true. We believe that God will fulfill His promises. Although we are completely convinced, it is only with our “eyes of faith” that we can see the reality of God and His promises.

We please God with this kind of faith. Without such faith, as Hebrews 11:6 makes clear, we cannot obtain a good report. When you read the entire 11^th chapter, you see that the people who obtained a good report included both those who accomplished great things through faith and those who suffered persecution and torture. We rejoice over the great things accomplished through faith and pray earnestly for those who suffer persecution. More about this in our next “thoughts.”

More Thoughts from Hebrews 11

The author is writing about “pleasing God” through faith in Him. As I discuss the text, I will point out that (1) some “obtained promises,” (2) others were “tortured,” (3) all “obtained a good report,” (4) none received the “promise,” and (5) without us, none were “made perfect.” I will comment briefly on each of these points.

First, the people of faith “obtained promises.” This is a good way to say that these men and women of faith saw results in their earthly lives that demonstrated the concern and power of God. The writer says that these people “conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness, were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”

We could call to mind many of the promises of God. The Bible is full of them. Along with the saints of old, we receive the fulfillment of many of God’s promises. Through faith, God works mightily in our lives. Today, let’s select a promise that God has fulfilled in our lives and give Him thanks for what He has done.

More Thoughts from Hebrews 11

In my last thoughts, we considered the fact that people of faith “obtained promises.” Many of them accomplished great things and put the enemy to flight. We honor them for what they did, but not every person of faith accomplishes such things.

Many people were made captives because of their faith and were persecuted. Some of the people would not accept their “release” but were “tortured.” They would not give up their faith or compromise their convictions to be delivered. They focused on the future prize of resurrection. This prize is better than any that this life affords. Although some were raised from the dead, the future resurrection is greater.

The writer of Hebrews says:

“and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They 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 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.”

Parenthetically, the writer makes a powerful statement about the persecuted saints. Concerning them, he says, these are people “of whom the world was not worthy.” These men and women stand out in the strength of their character and commitment. We owe them great honor.

More Thoughts from Hebrews 11

Already we have considered that some people of faith obtained promises while others were persecuted. The important point that the writer now makes is that all these obtained approvals through their faith. Although faith can produce great results and accomplish many goals, it is equally true that faith carries us through many difficulties and trials.

All of the people of faith have obtained a good report. All have entered the chamber of God’s esteem through faith. God has looked down on them and smiled. They all have pleased God. It is as though God were saying, “These are my sons and daughters. They served me without regard to external circumstances. Through good times and bad, they have remained faithful. They have rejoiced in obtaining promises, and they have endured the torture with a steadfast commitment. The world is not worthy of those who have died for me.”

In the United States, most of us have not experienced the intense level of persecution that people in some other countries have endured. Unfortunately, in some quarters, opposition to our faith is growing, but it has not resulted in the widespread martyrdom of believers. We can thank God for the religious liberty that is ours. At the same time, we should be faithful to praying for those in some countries who do not have this liberty.

Through faith, we please God. Whatever our circumstances, let us have faith and be faithful to Him.

More Thoughts from Hebrews 11

The author is writing about “pleasing God” through faith in Him. Some people of faith obtained promises, others were tortured, and all had obtained a good report. At this point, the author says that none received the promise.

Here, the writer refers to the promise of the coming Messiah. The Old Testament saints wanted to see Him come. They wanted to experience His rule and His reign.

We in the New Testament era have seen the coming of the Messiah. Jesus Christ left His home in glory, became the incarnate Christ, lived and ministered among us, was persecuted and killed, buried, and rose again in victory and power. Thus, we have the advantage in our experience. We have received the promise. When we believe in Christ, we please God.

We are, however, still looking for the return of Christ. He will come back, not only as the Messiah but also as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. All of the prophecies concerning Christ will be fulfilled. While we look forward to His return, we must keep the faith. When we keep the faith, we please God.

More Thoughts from Hebrews 11

All of the Old Testament saints obtained a good report, but none had received “what was promised.” What was promised was “something better” for us. By “something better” the writer refers to the Messiah and His redemptive work. We know the Messiah as Jesus, our Savior, and Lord. He is our redeemer. The Old Testament saints only anticipated His coming. As New Testament saints, we can point to the realization of His presence and atoning work.

The author says that we have something better “so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” Without us, the Old Testament saints were not perfect. We might expect the writer to say “without Him” none were made perfect. This is, of course, true. We are made perfect in Christ. We are righteous because we are in Him.

However, the author’s emphasis is on “without us.” The family of God was imperfect in the sense of being incomplete without the New Testament saints. We know the family of God as the body of Christ. In him, the body is made complete. The body of Christ will not be complete until Christ returns.

This passage puts forward a strong missionary thrust. We are important to God. All others are important to him and must be reached. The body of Christ is incomplete without people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Christ has commissioned us to reach them. We must be about our master’s business. We will not be complete or perfected, without them.

George M. Flattery, Ed.D., is the founder of Global University and Network211.