Hebrews 11:32-40

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, so 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 would not be made perfect.

*** 

Paul continued and then concluded giving examples of those throughout Israel’s history who had great faith. He listed some by names but told the outcome of the faith of many more—conquered kingdoms, righteous acts, promises received, etc. Some were mighty acts of war and protection. Some even received loved ones raised from the dead. Yet Paul went on to talk about others who did not receive an earthly resurrection but were tortured—refusing to compromise their faith—to experience a better resurrection.

Paul told of many who suffered for their faith—who were persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, killed, exiled, wandering, and destitute. So we see some who experienced wonderful miracles and mighty acts, and others who suffered, refusing to compromise their faith for comfort or freedom. Both are spoken of as examples of great faith. The one who received a miraculous answer to prayer was no better or worse than one who was persecuted or lost everything for his faith.

Paul said all these gained approval through their faith, yet none of them had received what was promised while here on earth—the heavenly, eternal city designed and built by God. Whether our path takes us through miracles or persecution, or both, the best is yet to come.

Paul declared that without us—without the establishment of the new covenant believers in Christ—they would not be made perfect. The coming of Christ validated all that they experienced and made their sufferings worthwhile. The Old Testament was not complete without the new. Judaism and Christianity were not meant to be two separate religions. One fulfills the other.


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