College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 11:28-40
C.
Israelitish nation: faith in God's promises of the coming Messiah. Hebrews 11:28-40.
Text
Hebrews 11:28 By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up. Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.
Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: Hebrews 11:33 who through faith subdued kingdoms; wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Hebrews 11:34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens.
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: Hebrews 11:36 and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: Hebrews 11:37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated Hebrews 11:38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 11:28 By faith in the promise of God, that the first-born of the Egyptians should be destroyed, but those of the Israelites spared, Moses appointed the passover, and the dashing of the blood of the paschal lamb on the door-posts of the Israelites, Exodus 7:7. that the angel who destroyed the first-born of the Egyptians might not touch theirs.
Hebrews 11:29 And although the Israelites were terrified by the pursuit of the Egyptians, and spake against Moses before they came to the sea, (Exodus 14:10), yet on his exhortation they went forward and when the waters of the sea were miraculously divided, by faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, which the Egyptians essaying to do were drowned.
Hebrews 11:30 By faith in God's promise, the walls of Jericho fell down agreeably to that promise, after having been encompassed seven days by the Israelites in obedience to God's command.
Hebrews 11:31 By faith in the true God, of Whose miracles she had heard, (Joshua 2:10), Rahab the harlot was not destroyed at the sacking of Jericho, with the unbelieving inhabitants, having entertained and concealed the spies in a friendly manner.
Hebrews 11:32 And what need is there to produce more examples of the power and efficacy of faith? for the time would fail me to speak of the great actions performed by Joshua and those who came after him, namely Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah, and David also, and Samuel, and the prophets Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and the rest;
Hebrews 11:33 Who, firmly believing that God would maintain the Israelites in the possession of Canaan, subdued the neighboring idolatrous kingdoms, performed the righteous actions commanded them by God, and in reward, obtained promises, and stopped the mouths of lions.
Hebrews 11:34 Were unhurt by the strongest fire,he means Shadrach and his companions, whose faith is recorded Daniel 3:17;escaped the edges of the sword;Moses escaped the sword of Pharaoh, Exodus 18:4. Elijah that of Jezebel, and David that of Saul;waxed strong from sickness, as did Hezekiah, Isaiah 38:17;became valiant in battle, and overturned the camps of the enemies;Gideon overturned the camp of the Midianites, and Jonathan that of the Philistines.
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead children alive by a resurrection, as did the widow of Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:21, and the Shunamite, 2 Kings 4:34;others were beaten to death, not accepting deliverance on the condition offered, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
Hebrews 11:36 And others, like Jeremiah, (Jeremiah 20:7), had experience of mockings, and scourgings, and moreover they were fettered, and imprisoned in filthy dungeons.
Hebrews 11:37 Others were stoned to death, as Zechariah, (2 Chronicles 24:21; they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they died by the slaughter of the sword, (1 Samuel 22:18; 1 Kings 19:10): They wandered about in sheep's skins, and in goats-' skins, being destitute, afflicted, maltreated by those to whom they delivered the messages of God;
Hebrews 11:38 Of these the world was not worthy: Yet they wandered by day in deserts and mountains, and by night lodged in caves and holes of the earth; as Elijah, and the hundred prophets hid by Obadiah, and David, 1 Samuel 24:3.
Hebrews 11:39 Now all these, though they have justly obtained the highest renown among men, along with the better approbation of God on account of their faith and great actions, have not yet received the heavenly country promised to Abraham and to his seed.
Hebrews 11:40 The reason is, God having foreseen, that by the gospel He would bestow some better means of faith on us, in order to our becoming Abraham's spiritual seed, resolved, that the ancients without us should not be made perfect by receiving the promised heavenly country. For He determined that the whole spiritual seed of Abraham, raised from the dead, shall be introduced into that country in a body at one and the same time, namely, after the general judgment.
Comment
By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood
The Greek language allows also instituted or hath made for kept. The passover, rather than the feast later instituted, is no doubt meant by the sprinkling and the reference to the destroyer.
that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them
The passover was instituted by God through Moses in that Moses gave direction for the sprinkling. Faith caused Moses to deliver the message, and faith caused Israel to be obedient.
by faith they passed through the Red sea
The Egyptians also tried to pass through, but faith was lacking there. Reliance upon God was the measure of faith here, for the pursuing Egyptians could easily have swallowed them up.
by faith the walls of Jericho fell down
The city of Jericho stood in the way of a conquest of the land. The command to march around once a day, and seven times on the seventh day may have seemed unnecessary to the unbelieving, but it marked victory for the faithful.
by faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace
Seven things about Rahab by Newell, p. 387: (Compare Joshua 2:1-22; Joshua 6:22-25; James 2:25. See Joshua 2:1-22; Joshua 6:22-25; James 2:25.)
a.
She was a sinner, even a harlot. Romans 3:23: All have sinned.
b.
Rahab's faith was confessed; and so must ours be. Matthew 10:32.
Joshua 2:8-11: I know that Jehovah hath given you the land and that the fear of you is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.
c.
Faith meant turning against her people; the believer must also be willing if necessary.
d.
Faith included the belief that Jericho would be destroyed, and it brought concern for her people. Joshua 2:13.
e.
It brought the typical scarlet cord tied in her window, by which the spies escaped. Joshua 2:15-18. We have the blood of Christ.
f.
By her faith all her kindred were saved. Joshua 2:19; Joshua 6:22-25.
g.
She became the mother of Boaz (Matthew 1:5); great grandfather of David, the king. Ruth 4:21-22.
Was she a harlot?
a.
Milligan: Many Jews erroneously interpret the word so as to make it mean a seller of food or an innkeeper.
b.
Calvin: The word is zune. Some render it hostess as though she kept a public house, but as the word is rendered harlot for everyone else, so it must be here. The Jews think it disgraceful to their nation, so they render it otherwise.
c.
Calvin: She is mentioned as a harlot to amplify the grace of God.
Faith in God made her hazard her life in receiving and concealing the spies, so she is named among the faithful.
time will fail me if I tell of Gideon
Here the author names a number of people drawn from the exploits, deliverances, and heroic endurance of faithful men and women.
Gideon stands chronologically after Barak. Gideon was the son of Joash of the tribe of Manasseh, and was the fifth judge of Israel. Two things perhaps make him worthy of being named here.
a.
His fight against Baal.
b.
He used only 300 men out of an army of 32,000 men. Judges 6:11 to Judges 8:32.
Barak
He was a leader of Israel of the tribe of Naphtali. The Israelites were oppressed by Jabin, king of Canaan, and Sisera, the captain of the host. The enemy had 900 chariots, and for twenty years oppressed Israel. Judges 4:23.
Deborah, the prophetess, called Barak and gave him a plan for victory. Hebrews 4:6-7. With Deborah and 10,000 men he led Israel to a complete victory, Judges 4:1 to Judges 5:31.
Samson
Samson, in the scripture, appears after Jephthah.
Zwemer in his book, Sons of Adam, says that his career is put into the record anonymously, for who but Samson did these things in Hebrews 11:33-34?
a.
Moses was the brain, learned in the wisdom of Egypt; Samson was a man of brawn, up to all the tricks and sports of a giant.
b.
Moses-' life is a long epic; Samson'S, a brief tragedy.
c.
Moses was the man of God; Samson, the man of the people. The above offers the contrast between Moses and Samson. These feats of muscular power are of course the chief things about him.
Jephthah
He was the son of Gilead by a concubine, and. became the ninth judge of Israel, His victories over the Ammonites and the Ephraimites, Judges 11:1 to Judges 12:7, with faith in God, ranks him a name among the faithful. He made a hasty foolish vow, and the finest victory was marred by the cruel death of his own daughter.
a.
In all the faithful ones, we find imperfection, yet they attained much by faith.
b.
Perhaps we should see that faults should not break us down or dishearten us. We must go on in the race of our calling.
David
Calvin says: Under David's name he included all the pious kings. He was the second king of Israel, and is known for his faith in God.
a.
This is established by the Psalms that express it. Cf. Psalms 18:6-17.
b.
It is shown in his many victories for the Lord, one of which was his slaying of Goliath.
Samuel and the prophets
Samuel is placed after David, most likely in order to connect him with the prophets, says Milligan. The prophets are to be greatly admired, for they had to preach in such wicked and wayward days.
a.
Their patience was sorely tried, but their faithful messages are recorded for the ages.
b.
They are lessons in faith and faithfulness for us today.
who through faith subdued kingdoms
Some of them did some of the things that are named here.
a.
David is probably chief here, but definitely Joshua's work should be noted as he led in the conquest.
b.
Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah are others who could be named. This work is similiar to Hebrews 11:34turned to flight armies of aliens.
wrought righteousness
This work was the main concern of the prophets who cried out against sin and for the establishment of justice. The work of Elijah and Elisha stands out.
King Josiah's work, 2 Kings 22:1 to 2 Kings 23:30, is an outstanding work among the kings. Compare David, 2 Samuel 8:15.
Samuel's work as a judge is outstanding in the field of righteousness. See 1 Samuel 12:4.
obtained promises
The one great promise of the Messiah they did not obtain, but some promises were fulfilled in their lives.
a.
Joshua and Caleb obtained the promised land after 40 years. Joshua 14:6-14.
b.
Isaiah saw Jerusalem delivered from the invasion of Sennacherib.
c.
Daniel saw the end of the Babylonian captivity.
d.
Nehemiah lived to see the wall of Jerusalem rebuilt.
e.
Abraham received the promised son.
f.
David was promised the kingdom, and received it.
Some feel that it only means verbal promises, but this is far less meaningful.
stopped the months of lions
Several people accomplished this.
a.
Daniel is the greatest example. Daniel 6:22: saying, My God hath shut the lion's mouth.
b.
David had victory over the lion and the bear. 1 Samuel 17:34.
c.
Samson, Judges 14:6, on the road to Timnah.
d.
David's mighty man Benaiah: 1 Chronicles 11:22, slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.
The examples are given to show the importance and power of faith.
quenched the power of fire
This indicates that the flames were not stopped, but their power and violence were taken away.
a.
The great example is that of the three Hebrews recorded in Daniel 3.
1.
The fiery furnace was likely the new type of place of sacrifices designed by Nebuchadnezzar.
2.
He desired a place where the work of priests could be observed, according to the archeologists.
b.
No other persons are suggested from the Bible, but of course many martyrs experienced the flames.
Rudelback tells of a martyr at Brussels who said that the flames felt like roses as they covered him.
escaped the edge of the sword
Many are such instances as this one.
a.
David escaped the sword many times, from the hand of King Saul, as well as Goliath. Cf. 1 Samuel 18:11; 1 Samuel 19:10-12.
b.
Elijah did, 1 Kings 19:1-6.
c.
Elisha is included. 2 Kings 6:14-23; 2 Kings 6:31-33.
d.
Jeremiah, Jeremiah 36:26. Compare Jeremiah 39.
Milligan likes to include the Maccabean movement, which is a thrilling history.
from weakness were made strong
This power may be seen in several ways.
a.
Sarah had power to conceive. Hebrews 11:11.
b.
Gideon trembled when he was called.
c.
Jeremiah said he was like a child. He couldn-'t speak, but he was made to speak.
d.
Isaiah said, Woe is me.
Remember how the enemies talked about Nehemiah's effort to rebuild the walls, saying, Feeble Jews.
waved mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens
The history of God's people is a mighty war epic.
a.
Gideon with 300 men conquered the hosts of Midian.
b.
Abraham with 318 men rescued Lot.
c.
Joshua had many victories.
1.
Defeated Amalek. Exodus 17.
2.
Defeated the Amorites in a long day. Joshua 10:12-13. Aliens probably refers to all who opposed the government of Israel.
women received their dead by a resurrection
The widow of Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:21. Elijah dwelt there, and Elijah raised up her dead son.
2 Kings 4:34. The Shumanite woman's son raised by Elisha.
and others were tortured
This also may be translated, beaten to death. Torture is not always done by heathens, but has been done in the name of God.
not accepting their deliverance
Deliverance may be also translated redemption. This may refer to a mother and her seven sons mentioned in 2Ma. 7:1. (In the Apocrypha)
a.
They would not submit to eating swine's flesh and other heathen customs.
b.
Few more heroic stories appear than that of the Maccabeans. Elizar, a Jewish scribe, was also killed.
a.
He died on the typamum, a large wheel on which they were stretched in order to beat them to death with clubs.
b.
Such cruelty could not persuade him to be delivered.
Polycarp(80 and 6 years) would be an example but not included here, since his death came after Hebrews was written.
that they might obtain a better resurrection
Torture seemed a small thing when they were seeking a resurrection that God could give, When men have a faith, hope, and a love for God, man cannot touch it.
a.
Riches, popularity, etc., can be taken, but not our hope.
b.
Faith gives strength to endure and the spirit to rejoice in it.
others had trials of mockings
Instances of mocking are recorded in the Old Testament.
a.
Philistines mocked Samson. Judges 16:25.
b.
Ahab imprisoned Micaiah. 1 Kings 22:27.
c.
Jeremiah was cruelly treated and mocked by Pashar and others, Jeremiah 22:2-7; Jeremiah 33:2-3.
d.
Isaac was mocked by Ishmael.
e.
Elisha was mocked by the children.
Mocking is severe in that it makes one angry and causes him to lose self-control.
scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonments
Scourging in the synagogue was common.
Several instances of imprisonments are mentioned.
a.
Joseph was cast into prison.
b.
Jeremiah was lowered into a dungeon of mire. Jeremiah 37:16; Jeremiah 38:6. Bonds refers to being bound in fetters and shackles. This was a common experience for the apostles.
they were stoned
An example is Zechariah.
a.
He was the son of Jehoiada.
b.
Joash, king of Judah, had him stoned. 2 Chronicles 24:20-22. Stephen, the first New Testament martyr, experienced this.
they were sawn asunder
The Talmud says that this happened to Isaiah by the order of Manasseh, king of Judah. An Apocryphal book, The Ascension of Isaiah, (Hebrews 5:11) gives this tradition about Isaiah.
they were tempted
This probably refers to the offers of life, wealth, honor, etc., that the faithful received in exchange for their faith. Temptations like Jesus faced are no doubt meant.
they were slain with the sword
Elijah made this charge in a complaint to God. 1 Kings 19:10. Jehoiakim slew the prophet Uriah. Jeremiah 26:23.
Ahab's reign was characterized by slaughter.
Herod slew James. Acts 12.
they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins being destitute, afflicted, ill treated
This was a type of garment worn by the prophets.
a.
See Elisha and Elijah, 2 Kings 2:8-13; 1 Kings 17:3-9; 1 Kings 19:3-14.
b.
Elijah is called a hairy man in 2 Kings 1:8, most likely because of his garb.
False prophets wore these clothes in order to deceive. Zechariah 13:4.
of whom the world was not worthy
Such cruel men as persecuted these prophets and martyrs did not deserve such good examples of faithful men. You do not hear men like Paul, a saint, ever saying that he was too good for the world.
wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes of the earth
These places were places of refuge for persecuted men and women.
God's great outdoors is a safer place for man than in the presence of the unbeliever.
these all having had witness borne to them through their faith received not the promise
If these had the light of grace and were faithful, how much more should we be. We have the full sunlight of God's grace upon us. If a spark led them to seek the promise, the full light should enable us to attain.
the promise
What is it? There is in the future a promise to be fulfilled, in the future to us and to the ancient saints.
The better thing, Heb. 10:40, Cf. Hebrews 9:15, the atonement.
The ancients died without obtaining either.
a.
We may experience both.
b.
This may express the idea that they are not yet in possession of the inheritance promised them.
c.
Then all saints, whether before or after the coming of Christ, will at the same time come into the inheritance.
God, having provided some better thing concerning us
This must refer to the atonement through Christ, Newell expresses it as our heavenly calling.
that apart from us
What God has planned for all mankind, He will do for all mankind at the same time. When it is done, whatever it is, I have faith that it will be done right.
they should not be made perfect.
This is done through Christ. Hebrews 12:23: We are come to the spirits of just men made perfect.
This perfecting looks forward to that salvation consummated at the coming of Christ. Hebrews 9:28: To them that wait for Him unto salvation.
It includes the redemption of the body. Romans 13:11.
Newell: Enoch has already been made perfect. Hebrews 12:23 refers to him: Ye are come unto the spirits of just men made perfect. Spirits are made perfect, but bodies are not. Someday, however, we will have a glorious new body. 1 Corinthians 15.
Study Questions
2298.
What is meant by Passover? Was it the passing over of the death angel, or the feast?
2299.
Does the reference to sprinkling of blood settle the question?
2300.
What did Moses have to do with the passover?
2301.
What all was involved in the Red Sea experience?
2302.
Does the Modernist have enough faith to believe in Israel's faith, or the Biblical record of the account?
2303.
Tell of the faith involved in the destruction of Jericho.
2304.
Was the command that took a week to complete, a test of faith?
2305.
In what was Rahab's faith?
2306.
If it was in God, how did she get it?
2307.
How were Jericho's people disobedient?
2308.
Was she a believer in God, thus accounting for her receiving the spies in peace?
2309.
What did faith cost her?
2310.
What did faith gain for her?
2311.
Name the things which she did.
2312.
Does she fit into God's scheme of future events? Cf. Matthew 1:5; Ruth 4:21-22.
2313.
Was she a harlot in the modern meaning of the word?
2314.
Could she have been a woman of faith, and also an evil woman?
2315.
Is it likely that the spies would have sought the help of such a person?
2316.
Why is Gideon listed in the roll of faithful ones?
2317.
What was Gideon's responsibility?
2318.
Was it customary for a judge of Israel to be also a warrior?
2319.
How does Barak fit into the listing of Hebrews? When did he live?
2320.
What single event may have earned him this place?
2321.
What woman helped him? What was her duty?
2322.
How did Samson earn his place?
2323.
Could he be the one the author had in mind for a portion of Hebrews 11:33?
2324.
Compare Moses and Samson in length of service.
2325.
Tell of the work of Jephthah.
2326.
What race or tribe troubled Israel in his day?
2327.
Was he without criticism?
2328.
Was his background good?
2329.
Were any kings named among the faithful?
2330.
Why was David singled out?
2331.
Is there any single accomplishment that would gain him recognition in Hebrews?
2332.
Were his victories numerous ones?
2333.
Have these men been named in chronological order?
2334.
Who was first, Samuel or David?
2335.
What was Samuel?
2336.
What Was so discouraging about a prophet's work?
2337.
Name some men who might be included in the expression, subdued kingdoms.
2338.
What class of men is most likely included?
2339.
Were any kingdoms subdued by prophetic preaching?
2340.
Who among the Hebrews that subdued many kingdoms is not mentioned?
2341.
Could Joshua be considered a man of faith?
2342.
What group wrought righteousness?
2343.
Were the prophets the only ones?
2344.
Name some outstanding prophets.
2345.
Name some outstanding kings.
2346.
What judge was successful in reforms?
2347.
What promises were obtained by Joshua, Isaiah, Daniel, Nehemiah, Abraham, David, etc.?
2348.
What great promise did they miss?
2349.
Name some who stopped the mouths of lions.
2350.
How does Benaiah resemble David?
2351.
Were flames quenched, or was it their power that was quenched?
2352.
These men could not be considered God's firemen, could they?
2353.
Who may be referred to here? Were there many?
2354.
Could the author have in mind any New Testament martyrs?
2355.
Name some who escaped the sword.
2356.
Did David escape many times?
2357.
What prophets were in danger of the sword?
2358.
What is meant by made strong?
2359.
Was it always physical strength?
2360.
Have great men of God felt weak on occasion?
2361.
Did Nehemiah, rebuilding walls, look feeble?
2362.
Could Samson be included in this?
2363.
Discuss the idea, waxed mighty in war.
2364.
Did they always depend upon a mighty army?
2365.
How many did various warriors use?
2366.
Tell of one great battle where the time element was involved.
2367
What is meant by aliens?
2368.
What Old Testament women received their dead alive?
2369.
Did Jesus raise the dead for any women?
2370.
Could the resurrection of dead saints that accompanied Jesus-' death be included?
2371.
What methods of torture have been used?
2372.
Name some instances.
2373.
Has cruelty been used only by heathen?
2374.
What is meant by, not accepting their deliverance?
2375.
Which is easier, to die in battle or to suffer for righteousness?
2376.
What period of history do the commentators think may have been included here?
2377.
Could Moses be included?
2378.
Could the three Hebrew children be included?
2379.
What was the deliverance they could have accepted?
2380.
Why was it rejected?
2381.
How did faith help?
2382.
Name some mockers and some mocked ones.
2383.
Was it always heathenism against God's men?
2384.
Was it ever brother mocking brother?
2385.
How is mocking a hard trial?
2386.
What is scourging?
2387.
What are bonds?
2388.
Name some Old Testament imprisonments.
2389.
Was imprisonment a common experience for the apostles?
2390.
Do we have an example of one being stoned?
2391.
Was it a common practice?
2392.
Who was subject to stoning?
2393.
Do we know of anyone being sawn asunder?
2394.
How do we know Isaiah suffered this kind of death?
2395.
What all may be included in the word tempted?
2396.
Name some men who experienced these.
2397.
Name some who were slain with the sword.
2398.
Who was Jehoiakim?
2399.
Who was Uriah?
2400.
Is dying a common way to escape duty?
2401.
Who may have gone about in sheepskins, etc.?
2402.
Was this a characteristic garb?
2403.
Did others ever wear them? Cf. Zechariah 13:4.
2404.
What is meant by, of whom the world was not worthy?
2405.
What is the significance of Hebrews 11:39?
2406.
What witness was borne?
2407.
What promise is referred to?
2408.
Can we infer by these verses that they have not yet gained eternal lifethat they are still in the tombs?
2409.
What better thing is referred to in Hebrews 11:40?
2410.
Is God going to bless all, the faithful of the past, and us at the same time?
2411.
What is meant by perfect? Cf. Hebrews 12:23.
2412.
Was Enoch made perfect. Will we be coming to him and others?
2413.
What form will we have when we are perfected? Cf. 1 Corinthians 15.