Hebrews 11:35-38

Summary retelling of Hebrews 11:35-38

The author of Hebrews talks about a few women who received back their loved ones (the widow in her encounter with Elisha being the most obvious example).  Other people have been tortured in their faith knowing that no one can take away their hope in the resurrection.  Still others have public mocking, beatings, imprisonment.  Others have been stoned to death, literally cut in two, and many have died at the hand of the sword.  People of faith have gone about in animal skins, lived in poverty, and afflicted.  They’ve wandered around in the wilderness, lived in caves and dens, and in the mountains.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This chapter talks about people in generic terms, since there are far too many examples of faith in the Old Testament to state them all.  But we can say that there are positive examples.  The Old Testament is full of victories, miraculous healings, and even a few resurrection stories.  God is a great God.  People of faith have a great reason to put their hope in God.

What do you hope for in God?  Do you have some hopes that probably aren’t really on God’s agenda?

Second Thought:

The author makes a point to say that regardless of what happened, the people of faith knew that nothing could take away their hope.  So long as God is obeyed and we seek repentance and forgiveness when we do not obey, we have nothing to fear.  Torture, death, imprisonment, public mockery, rejection, or even shunning cannot take away the hope that one day we will live in God’s perfection with God and His faithful people.

How cool is that thought?  Seriously.  I’m not trying to be funny or casual about it.  How cool is that?

Third Thought:

As long as we’re talking about bad things – think about imprisonment for a while.  Or death.  Of being shunned.  Or having to wander without having a place to call home.  Or being rejected.  Or being run through with a sword.  Or being cut in half.  Or being crucified.  Or living in poverty.  Or … well, you get the idea.

Would you do that for God?  Would you accept that fate if God brought about circumstances in which any one of these conditions were the natural conclusion to the circumstances?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 11:39-40