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Presented, November 5, 2005 am

FAITH – THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR -11

Faith Time would Fail to Tell Of (2) – Hebrews 11:32-40

As we continue our study of this great text, we are now in the midst of studying a list of names about which not much is said here.  Last Sunday, we noted the first four examples mentioned in 11:32, Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jepthah, all individuals during the period of the judges.  Today, we note the others mentioned in that verse and some of the acts of faith they were involved in.  In one sense this list is shorter (2 specific names) and longer (the prophets – ALL of them).  In our lesson today we will briefly notice David and Samuel and then make specific applications to the various events mentioned and sufferings many endured by faith.

I.                     The Faith of David

a.        David is a major character in the study of the Old Testament.  His life and works equate with that of Moses and Abraham.  We could note numerous events in his life that demonstrated his faith.  He was described as, “A man after (God’s) own heart.” (Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 13:14) His life is described beginning in 1 Samuel 16 (where Samuel is called upon to anoint him as king in place of Saul).  His history continues through the entire book of 2 Samuel until his death is recorded in 1 Kings 2.  Also much of 1 Chronicles (11-29) is a second record of his life.  We know much about this man of great faith.

                                                   i.      As a youthful shepherd, he defended his flocks against bears and lions.  Can the young have faith?

                                                  ii.      He confronted Goliath when no other warrior in Israel would dare go.  Faith conquering giants.

                                                iii.      As he fled from Saul, he maintained a humble and trusting attitude.  Twice he had opportunity to kill Saul and withheld because he did not want to be responsible for turning his hand “against God’s anointed”.

                                                iv.      He faithfully established Israel as a righteous nation – defeating many of their enemies and enemies of God.

                                                 v.      He restored true worship in Israel and was instrumental in bringing it to Jerusalem including making plans for the first temple.

                                                vi.      By faith He accepted God’s blessing that his kingdom would be established forever (2 Samuel 7 – a KEY passage in the Old Testament).

                                              vii.      He wrote many of the psalms we have in that book – which give us a clearer picture of his faith and devotion to God at various times in his life.

                                             viii.      While he sinned at times, he died a faithful man looking forward to an eternal home in heaven.

b.       In our text he, “through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, … escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (11:33-34).
David’s life of faith is one that “time would fail to tell of”

II.                   The Faith of Samuel

a.        Samuel is an interesting study.  You see in him another great example of faith.   He was the last judge in Israel (1 Samuel 7:15-17), the one who anointed Israel’s first 2 kings (Saul and David) and he was a prophet of God.  Born as a result of a vow to God by his mother Hannah (1 Samuel1), he was dedicated to serve in the temple from his early youth.  The Lord appeared to him at an early age to condemn the then reigning High Priest, Eli because of his failure to restrain his sons.   He served Israel throughout his life, ALWAYS obeying God’s instructions.  Even after his death, he continued to prophesy (1 Samuel 28) being bothered when king Saul consults a medium.

b.       What I find interesting about Samuel is that in spite of his prominence, he is usually found in the background of developments.

c.        His faith was one that “worked righteousness and obtained promises.”

III.                 Others

a.        Vs. 32 of our text mentions, the prophets – those who spoke on behalf of God, often to very hostile audiences.  They endured some extraordinary things – many of which are mentioned in the rest of our text.

b.       In addition to the prophets, vs. 35 mentions “others” and vs. 36 speaks of “still others.”  Remember, your name doesn’t have to be written in an earthly record for you to have a great faith and for God to notice it.  There is only one book that it is important that your name be written in – the book of life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5, 20:12-15).

c.        Hebrews 11 makes reference to those who:

                                                   i.      Stopped the mouths of lions – such as Daniel the prophet who was cast into the den of lions for refusing to stop praying to God (Daniel 6).  NOTE: It was his faith that caused him problems in the first place.  Also, David as a youth killed a lion (1 Samuel 17:34-37). 

                                                  ii.      Escaped the edge of the sword – there were many including David, who escaped Saul on several occasions.  Later there was also Elijah, who after challenging and beating the prophets of Baal had to flee from Jezebel who wanted him killed.

                                                iii.      Quenched the violence of fire – such as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3

                                                iv.      Out of weakness were made strong – this could be said of David as he faced Goliath, Gideon whom we discussed last week and numerous national examples.

                                                 v.      Women received their dead raised to life again – Both Elijah and Elisha raised children, Elijah raised the son of a widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17:23), Elisha raised the son of a Shunamite woman (2 Kings 4:36).  Both these women were faithful and housed the prophets.

                                                vi.      Some tortured, not accepting deliverance – such as Micaiah the prophet who warned Ahab to not go into battle (1 Kings 22).  Ahab ordered him put into prison and fed with the bread and water of affliction until he returned from battle.  Micaiah answered, “If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken to me.” (27-28)
Jeremiah was also tortured, at one point being lowered into a dungeon by ropes so that he sunk in the mire. (Jeremiah 38:16)

                                              vii.      Some endured mockings and scourgings – along with the torturing, many were made fun of.  On one occasion, Elisha was made fun of because of his bald head ( 2 Kings 2:23). 
2 Chronicles 30 records messengers sent by Hezekiah throughout the land to come worship God properly were mocked and laughed at (30:10).  In describing the reason for the fall of Jerusalem in 2 Chronicles 36:16 mocking and despising the messengers of God is specifically mentioned.
More than once, Jeremiah was struck (Jer. 20:2, 37:15) as was Micaiah when he prophesied against Ahab (1 Kings 22:24).

                                             viii.      Some chains and imprisonments – We remember Joseph in prison.  Many of the prophets ended up there as well – Micaiah (1 Kings 22:27), and Jeremiah.

                                                 ix.      Stoned to death – like Zechariah the prophet who was stoned to death by Joash (2 chronicles 24:21), and Naboth who refused to sell his vineyard to Ahab (1 Kings 21:13)

                                                  x.      Sawn in two – while no example is found in the Old Testament, tradition holds that Isaiah was ordered sawn in two by wicked King Manasseh.

                                                 xi.      They were tempted – a word that could mean to be scrutinized, examined or disciplined.  In other words, a reference to various types of tortures.

                                               xii.      Slain with the sword – such as the Priests of Nob who were slain at the order of King Saul (1 Samuel 22:16-19)
And another prophet named Urijah who was executed at the command of Jehoiakim and his body was cast into a common grave (Jeremiah 26:23)

                                              xiii.      They wandered about in caves, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, etc. – Like David fleeing from Saul, Elijah fleeing Jezebel and others.

                                             xiv.      We could go on and on showing how the righteous suffered at the hands of the wicked, at times by those who were supposed to be their brethren.  Yet their FAITH caused them to endure faithfully God’s instructions.

IV.                “Of whom the world was not worthy” (38-40)

                                                   i.      The Hebrew writer concludes with words of commendation to ALL of them and to us.

                                                  ii.      They didn’t deserve to be treated the way they were.  And even more, the world didn’t deserve their faithfulness and efforts.  Again note 2 Chronicles 36:15-17 which points to God delivering Jerusalem because of their sins and 2 Kings 7:5-18 concerning the fall of Samaria and northern Israel.  But they remained faithful anyway – just like we need to do.

                                                iii.      They obtained a good testimony through faith – while the world despised and hated them or ignored and failed to notice them, GOD noticed, and He was PLEASED.

                                                iv.      They did not receive the promise (in this life) – many of these examples we have studied received promised rewards, but many did not – and ALL of them – looked toward their final and better reward in heaven.

                                                 v.      God having provided something better for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.  I like the way this chapter ends.  After all they did for us, it is OUR FAITH which is as it is as we look to their examples, which brings their faith to its completion.
ALSO, the fact is that all who are of faith both THEN and NOW are perfected the same way – by the blood of Jesus.  It is in that sacrifice that we find faith’s ultimate perfection.  It is that “better” way God has provided.

V.                  What About Your Faith?

a.        Have you “subdued kingdoms”?  Have you subdued the kingdom of Satan in your life and been translated in the kingdom of God?

b.       Have you “worked righteousness”?

c.        Have you “obtained promises”?

d.       Have you “stopped the mouths of lions”?  Remember that Satan is described as walking about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

e.        Have you “quenched the violence of fire”? Consider the fires of hell – have you been delivered from them by the blood of Christ?

f.         Have you “out of weakness been made strong”?

g.       Have you “become valiant in battle?

h.       Have you “turned to flight the armies of the aliens”?  Our enemies

i.         Have you accepted “tortures” and various types of trials and tribulations in the name of Christ by faith?

j.         Is the world worthy of the way you have treated it?  Remember, we are to be BETTER than the world morally and spiritually.

k.        Have you obtained a good testimony from God?   “Well done, good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:21, 23.

l.         Having received some of the promises of God, do you look forward with anticipation to the rest of them?  Will you by faith leave this world with hope, trusting God to lead you to something much better?

Thus we can see the faith of Hebrews 11.  What about you?  Do you have the faith you ought to have?  Have you accepted that BETTER promise by obeying His gospel?  Have you baptized into Christ, Galatians 3:27?  Next week we will conclude this study by noting some things we can do to increase our faith so that it will be like the faith we have been studying.