Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16
The writer of the Book of Hebrews in the bible shared with us names of men and women who lived a life of faith and overcame in life by their faith. What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Let us dive deep into the whole chapter and examine the lives of those who names are listed in the “Faith Hall of Fame”. The stories of these men and women were written to encourage and challenge us in our walk of faith.
Abel
Abel was the second son of Adam. He was a shepherd and offered a pleasing sacrifice to God. His brother killed him out of jealousy and envy. (Genesis 4)
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. Hebrews 11:4
Enoch
Enoch was the seventh generation from Adam. Genesis 5:24 records that Enoch pleased God and God took him. Enoch lived on this earth, not in isolation but with dedication to God. So much so that God found him undeserving of death. Not much details was given as to the specifics except that Enoch pleased God.
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5
Noah
The story of Noah is Genesis 6 to 9. There was so much disobedience on earth during Noah’s time yet he singled himself out and lived a life pleasing to God. No Ark had been built up till Noah’s time, yet he believed God, followed His instructions and built an Ark that preserved the work of God from total destruction.
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7
Abraham and Sarah
Abraham obeyed God and left the land he knew, his home and the home of his fathers to a land he did not know but promised by God. It does take faith to go from known to unknown.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
Sarah gave birth to the promised child, Isaac at an age which was medically impossible to have children. She tried to help God but God did not need help. Psalm 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. when God says it, all we need to do is believe, agree and wait. the waiting is usually the most difficult but its how our faith is exercised and grows.
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11
Isaac
He blessed Jacob and Esau based on his understanding and acceptance of God’s promise for the future.
Jacob
Also offered blessings on his children believing what God said He was going to do in the future.
Joseph
Joseph knew the children of Israel were going to leave Egypt and gave instructions with that understanding. He believed the covenant of God on his fathers and the promise God made to Abraham.
By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. Hebrews 11:22
Moses
Moses’ parents believed he was a special child. They defiled Pharaoh’s orders. This same Moses was the one God used to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. there was a reason for him to be raised in Egypt. That gave him access to the palace freely because he was a prince. Moses also tried to help God to fulfill His word.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26
Rahab
Rahab was originally a prostitute but recognized the power of God. He played a vital role in helping the children Israel to the promised land. He housed the 12 spies when they came to check out the promised land, risking her own life while doing so. She was also mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ Matthew 1:5
Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
Judges in Israel – Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah
During the time when judges ruled in Israel several of them had to live by faith, seek God and follow His direction in order to overcome their enemies.
Gideon saw himself as a weak man but God called him a mighty man of valor (Judges 6:10-12). Having the understanding of who he was and that God was with him, he fought and overcame the enemies of his people.
Barak was reluctant yet God used him with the help of a woman to defeat Israel’s enemies. (Judges 4)
Samson was a promised child, whose strength he received and used n=by faith. (Judges 13-16)
It is interesting to note that all the judges mentioned by name in Hebrews were men who doubted their abilities except Samson who was defeated due to giving in to fleshly desires. Our faith in God will always prevail over doubts if we let it. The most danger to the rewards of faith is giving in to fleshly desires like Samson did.
King David
The Bible referred to David as a man after God’s heart. He was not perfect but lived life with an understanding of who God is.
Samuel
Samuel was a prophet dedicated to God right from a young age. The story of his birth was that of faith. His mother cried to God out of desperation and God answered with a child fit for the master’s use.
Names not mentioned
Several other names were not mentioned, but the writer was clear there were more stories than could fit in a book. Like Daniel who shut the mouth of lions, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who quenched the flames of fire, Jeremiah was tortured, widow of Zarephath and the Shunammite woman whose sons were brought back to life.
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Hebrews 11:33-34
It takes faith to please God.
These men and women had their doubts, shortcomings and limitations yet we have a lot to learn from them. Their life of faith shows to us the possibilities that we can get to when we hold on God and His promises.
But 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 diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
