1. A Study Of The Apostle Paul’s Letter To The Hebrews Don’t drift away! Don’t neglect your salvation! Don’t Depart! Don’t fall away! Don’t cast away your confidence! Don’t harden your heart! How can we neglect so great a salvation? ~ Hebrews 2:3

2. Allow me to begin with pretty much the same introduction once again as we con- clude our study of The Hall of Faith— —wherein ( according to ) Paul pictured his Jewish-Christian read- ers as runners in a race within the con- fines of a coliseum; and within the stadi- um seats are all the faithful who had run the race before them, cheering them on to final victory. Allow me to begin with pretty much the same introduction once again as we con- clude our study of The Hall of Faith—He- brews 11—wherein ( according to 12:1-2 ) Paul pictured his Jewish-Christian read- ers as runners in a race within the con- fines of a coliseum; and within the stadi- um seats are all the faithful who had run the race before them, cheering them on to final victory.

3. I see all the faithful from Abel () to the fulfillment of the promise () as one team running against sin, as it were, but somewhat like a relay race; so, since the brethren Paul was writing to were on the verge of reaching the long-awaited end of this race, they were winning for all who had gone before them. When we look at it this way…  I see all the faithful from Abel ( 11:4 ) to the fulfillment of the promise ( 11:39-40 ) as one team running against sin, as it were, but somewhat like a relay race; so, since the brethren Paul was writing to were on the verge of reaching the long-awaited end of this race, they were winning for all who had gone before them. When we look at it this way… 

4. We can see all the more how tremendous- ly important it was that these brethren keep pushing on—it wasn’t just for their salvation as individuals that they were running, but, in a sense, it was for each and every child of God before them … and after them! So…   

5. After having studied Abel thru Rahab in, let’s conclude in with Paul’s brief remarks about the various types of suffering that numer- ous other ancestors after Rahab experi- enced. And, as Paul has stressed before and will again as this chapter closes, all these endured their afflictions with only the hope of receiving the things pro- mised, whereas these brethren were in the process of finally receiving them … after 2,000 years of waiting since the promises were first given! So…    After having studied Abel thru Rahab in verses 4-31, let’s conclude in verses 32- 40 with Paul’s brief remarks about the various types of suffering that numer- ous other ancestors after Rahab experi- enced. And, as Paul has stressed before and will again as this chapter closes, all these endured their afflictions with only the hope of receiving the things pro- mised, whereas these brethren were in the process of finally receiving them … after 2,000 years of waiting since the promises were first given! So…   

6. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… Hebrews 11:32 

7. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… By asking this ques- tion, Paul seemed to be asking, “Must I go on with my list?”

8. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… If he did go on, he indicated that he’d run out of time be- cause there were so many faithful to God in their past, seem- ingly shaming them all the more for what they had become known as—aposta- tizers ( cf. ). If he did go on, he indicated that he’d run out of time be- cause there were so many faithful to God in their past, seem- ingly shaming them all the more for what they had become known as—aposta- tizers ( cf. 10:25 ).

9. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… Paul went on briefly to allude to 5 jud- ges, 1 king, and the many prophets. And why did he choose to list the 6 that he did? Obviously be- cause of the over- whelming odds that each of these parti- cular individuals faced, odds that re- quired … and by faith received … God’s assistance.

10. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… Barak was he who, with only 10,000 men, defeated the army of the Canaan- ite king, delivering Israel from 20 years of oppression. How? By faith. But…  

11. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… As with Sarah ( ), Moses (), and Israel () —all who ( in these cases ) depended on the faith of another, it appears from the story that Barak carried out his task by the faith of De- borah, Israel’s 4 th judge (). As with Sarah ( in v. 11 ), Moses ( in v. 23 ), and Israel ( in v. 29 ) —all who ( in these cases ) depended on the faith of another, it appears from the story that Barak carried out his task by the faith of De- borah, Israel’s 4 th judge ( Jdg. 4—5 ).

12. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… Gideon, Israel’s 5 th judge, is known as he who, by faith, de- feated tens of thou- sands of Midianites with only 300 men (). Gideon, Israel’s 5 th judge, is known as he who, by faith, de- feated tens of thou- sands of Midianites with only 300 men ( Jdg. 6—8 ).

13. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… Jephthah, Israel’s 9 th judge, is known for his victories over the Ammonites ( in which a statement by Jephthah can be found concern- ing God’s promises). Jephthah, Israel’s 9 th judge, is known for his victories over the Ammonites (Jdg. 11—12 in which a statement by Jephthah can be found concern- ing God’s promises).

14. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… Samson, Israel’s 13 th judge, is known for his victories over the Philistines ( wherein a statement by Samson can be found concerning his conviction that those victories were possible only because of his God-given strength). Samson, Israel’s 13 th judge, is known for his victories over the Philistines (Jdg. 13— 16 wherein a statement by Samson can be found concerning his conviction that those victories were possible only because of his God-given strength).

15. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… Samuel, Israel’s 15 th and last judge, is known for being a very courageous and a nearly perfectly faithful man, regard- less of how immoral and idolatrous the circumstances were (). Samuel, Israel’s 15 th and last judge, is known for being a very courageous and a nearly perfectly faithful man, regard- less of how immoral and idolatrous the circumstances were (1 Sam. 1—28).

16. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… David, Israel’s 2 nd and perhaps great- est king, is known very well for his faith in God ( ), especially in the case of his victory over Goliath and the Philistines. David, Israel’s 2 nd and perhaps great- est king, is known very well for his faith in God ( 1 Sam. 16— 1 Kgs. 1 ), especially in the case of his victory over Goliath and the Philistines.

17. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… By merely saying, Paul was aware his read- ers knew about the faith of these men all too well to concern himself with naming them all! So…   By merely saying and the prophets, Paul was aware his read- ers knew about the faith of these men all too well to concern himself with naming them all! So…  

18. What more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Sam- son and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets… Altho none of these people were sinless, at critical times in their lives they bold- ly trusted God when the odds were well against them; and thru their obedience to the Lord, God saved His people, the same thing He’d do for these Hebrews —they just needed to trust and obey!

19. …who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promis- es, stopped the mouths of lions… Hebrews 11:33 

20. …who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promis- es, stopped the mouths of lions… Joshua subdued the Canaanites; Gideon subdued the Midian- ites; Jephthah sub- dued the Ammonites; and David subdued the Amalekites, Edo- mites, Jebusites, Mo- abites, Philistines, and others.

21. …who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promis- es, stopped the mouths of lions… This could be trans- lated as ( RSV ); so it probably has refer- ence to leaders like Samuel and David for being righteous in the execution of God’s laws ( & ) … not only in Israel, but also among na- tions of a corrupt nature. This could be trans- lated as enforced justice ( RSV ); so it probably has refer- ence to leaders like Samuel and David for being righteous in the execution of God’s laws ( 1 Sam. 12:4 & 2 Sam. 8:15 ) … not only in Israel, but also among na- tions of a corrupt nature.

22. …who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promis- es, stopped the mouths of lions… Joshua and Caleb obtained the land of Canaan; Phineas ob- tained an everlast- ing priesthood; and David obtained the kingdom of Israel. In fact, among all the OT saints, they saw the fulfillment of many promises, promises concern- ing conquests, land, and children.

23. …who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promis- es, stopped the mouths of lions… Samson, Benaiah, David, and Daniel all survived encounters with lions, the most dreaded beast of their time and place.

24. …quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, be- came valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:34 

25. …quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, be- came valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hananiah, Mishael, & Azariah ( aka, Shad- rach, Meshach, & Abed- nego ) were delivered from a powerful fire ( is dynamin in Greek ). The reading of this could mean that the faith of some quenched the power of the fire even though they weren’t saved like the above three. Hananiah, Mishael, & Azariah ( aka, Shad- rach, Meshach, & Abed- nego ) were delivered from a powerful fire ( violent is dynamin in Greek ). The reading of this could mean that the faith of some quenched the power of the fire even though they weren’t saved like the above three.

26. …quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, be- came valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Moses escaped the sword of Pharaoh; Elijah escaped the sword of Ahab; Eli- sha escaped the sword of Jehoram; David escaped the sword of Saul; and Jeremiah escaped death by the hand of Jehoiakim.

27. …quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, be- came valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Abraham defeated 4 kings with only 318 men; Gideon defeat- ed tens of thousands of Midianites with only 300 men; Sam- son took out a city all by himself; and David defeated the nine-foot Philistine champion with a rock. Jonathan said, (). Abraham defeated 4 kings with only 318 men; Gideon defeat- ed tens of thousands of Midianites with only 300 men; Sam- son took out a city all by himself; and David defeated the nine-foot Philistine champion with a rock. Jonathan said, Nothing restrains the Lord from saving by … few ( 1 Sam. 14:6 ).

28. …quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, be- came valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Courage in battle can’t only be easily seen in all the for- merly discussed vic- tories, but one can also find numerous others in the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings.

29. …quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, be- came valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. This reads better as ( RSV ); i.e., when nations such as the Ammonites, Assyrians, Moabites, and Philistines at- tempted to invade Israel’s territory, they were made to retreat. How? By faith in Yahweh. This reads better as put foreign armies to flight ( RSV ); i.e., when nations such as the Ammonites, Assyrians, Moabites, and Philistines at- tempted to invade Israel’s territory, they were made to retreat. How? By faith in Yahweh.

30. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. Hebrews 11:35 

31. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. There were at least two OT women who received their dead back to life again: Elijah raised a wid- ow’s son ( ), and Elisha raised a Shunam- mite’s son ( ). There were at least two OT women who received their dead back to life again: Elijah raised a wid- ow’s son ( 1 Kgs. 17: 17-24 ), and Elisha raised a Shunam- mite’s son ( 2 Kgs. 4: 18-37 ).

32. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. While in Paul spoke of many escaping the sword, here he placed in a disclaimer, viz. that there were some who didn’t escape death; i.e., God did not always choose to save the faithful —many died of their torture, but even they died in faith, a faith that led to life. While in verse 34 Paul spoke of many escaping the sword, here he placed in a disclaimer, viz. that there were some who didn’t escape death; i.e., God did not always choose to save the faithful —many died of their torture, but even they died in faith, a faith that led to life. And why did they do this?

33. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. They thought as Job who said, (); they also thought as the three Hebrew children who said that even if God did not deliver them, they still wouldn’t worship someone or something else ( ). Again… They thought as Job who said, Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him ( 13:15 ); they also thought as the three Hebrew children who said that even if God did not deliver them, they still wouldn’t worship someone or something else ( Dan. 3:17-18 ). Again… Why would they do this?

34. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. than what resurrec- tion? The biological, temporal one that the women’s sons received. And what would be than that? A spiritual one, of course—one that would reunite them with God in the ()! A better resurrection than what resurrec- tion? The biological, temporal one that the women’s sons received. And what would be better than that? A spiritual one, of course—one that would reunite them with God in the hea- venly country ( v. 16 )! Incidentally… Incidentally…

35. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. Something interest- ing about this is that this inspired NT verse confirms that OT saints believed in the promise of some type of resurrection; and it appears that it was not necessar- ily one of a physical (thus temporary) nature, but one that is than that. Something interest- ing about this is that this inspired NT verse confirms that OT saints believed in the promise of some type of resurrection; and it appears that it was not necessar- ily one of a physical (thus temporary) nature, but one that is better than that.

36. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. And remember, the key term thru- out Hebrews is a contrast word for the blessings of the New Covenant in contrast to the lack thereof under the Old Covenant. And… And remember, the key term better thru- out Hebrews is a contrast word for the blessings of the New Covenant in contrast to the lack thereof under the Old Covenant. And… By the way… By the way…

37. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. This word is from the same root term as the English “tym- pani” ( a kettledrum ); so the particular tor- ture referred to here involved stretching a victim over a large drum-like apparatus and beating him w/ clubs until he either denied God or was pronounced “dead.”

38. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tor- tured, not accept- ing deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. So can anyone read this verse about the numerous saints of old enduring torture for their faith and not see the relevance of it to the Hebrews that Paul was writ- ing to in their time of severe persecu- tion? Surely not!

39. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains & imprisonments. Hebrews 11:36 

40. While some were tortured to death on the tympani, there were others who lived to endure an enormous amount of torture of various kinds: many suffered the emotional anguish of mockings and the physical anguish of scourgings, things which usually led to chains and imprisonments. So Paul covered the whole spectrum: those who escaped death (), those who died during torture (), and those who suffered at length (). While some were tortured to death on the tympani, there were others who lived to endure an enormous amount of torture of various kinds: many suffered the emotional anguish of mockings and the physical anguish of scourgings, things which usually led to chains and imprisonments. So Paul covered the whole spectrum: those who escaped death ( v. 34 ), those who died during torture ( v. 35 ), and those who suffered at length ( v. 36 ).

41. Samson was scorned and ridiculed, im- prisoned, and even had his eyes bored out ( & ), all by the Godless Philistines; worse still, many of God’s prophets were scoffed at by His own people (). Samson was scorned and ridiculed, im- prisoned, and even had his eyes bored out ( Jdg. 16:21 & 25 ), all by the Godless Philistines; worse still, many of God’s prophets were scoffed at by His own people ( 2 Chr. 36:16 ). Joseph was falsely accused and impri- soned by Pharaoh (); the pro- phet Micaiah was beaten by Zedekiah and imprisoned with only bread & water by Ahab (); and the pro- phet Hanani ( Jehu’s father ) was impri- soned in a rage by Asa (). Joseph was falsely accused and impri- soned by Pharaoh ( Gen. 39:20 ); the pro- phet Micaiah was beaten by Zedekiah and imprisoned with only bread & water by Ahab ( 1 Kgs. 22:24-27 ); and the pro- phet Hanani ( Jehu’s father ) was impri- soned in a rage by Asa ( 2 Chr. 16:10 ).

42. There was one man who endured all of these things and more: Not only was Jeremiah mocked by everyone (), beaten ( & ), put in chains (), and imprisoned ( & ), but he was also put into a dungeon (a waterless well) of sludge, into which he sank (). What was so bad about poor Jeremiah’s case is that nearly all the tragedies he (as well as others) suffered were at the hands of his own people whom he was merely trying to warn for their own good! Likewise…    There was one man who endured all of these things and more: Not only was Jeremiah mocked by everyone ( Jer. 20:7 ), beaten ( 20:2a & 37: 15a ), put in chains ( 20:2b ), and imprisoned ( 32:2 & 37:15 ), but he was also put into a dungeon (a waterless well) of sludge, into which he sank ( 38:6 ). What was so bad about poor Jeremiah’s case is that nearly all the tragedies he (as well as others) suffered were at the hands of his own people whom he was merely trying to warn for their own good! Likewise…   

43. The people Paul was writing to at this time ( AD 63-65 ) were experiencing most of their suffering at the hands of their own Jewish brethren. The question was, Would they respond like Jeremiah and their many ancestral heroes of faith?

44. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… Hebrews 11:37 

45. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… Naboth was falsely accused and stoned to death ( ); and the pro- phet Zechariah was stoned to death for his warnings from God for the people (). Naboth was falsely accused and stoned to death ( 1 Kgs. 21: 13-14 ); and the pro- phet Zechariah was stoned to death for his warnings from God for the people ( 2 Chr. 24:20-22 ).

46. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… Clarke wrote that, in a Jewish source cal- led the Yevamoth, it is written that Ma- nasseh slew Isaiah, for he commanded that he should be slain with a wooden saw. They then brought the saw and cut him in two; and when the saw reached his mouth, his soul fled forth.

47. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… The oldest manuscript we have doesn’t include this phrase, which is why many versions don’t include it. However…    The oldest Hebrews manuscript we have doesn’t include this phrase, which is why many versions don’t include it. However…   

48. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… If we accept it, then it probably has re- ference to the trial referred to in of being severely tempted ( perhaps even threatening fami- ly members in the vic- tim’s presence ) to deny their faith and turn to idols ( cf. & where men were punished for not wor- shipping something or someone other than Yahweh). If we accept it, then it probably has re- ference to the trial referred to in verse 35 of being severely tempted ( perhaps even threatening fami- ly members in the vic- tim’s presence ) to deny their faith and turn to idols ( cf. Dan. 3 & 6 where men were punished for not wor- shipping something or someone other than Yahweh). Incidentally… Incidentally…

49. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… There were severe consequences for anyone who tried to compel God’s people to worship anything or anyone but Yah- weh (). There were severe consequences for anyone who tried to compel God’s people to worship anything or anyone but Yah- weh ( Deu. 13:6-11 ).

50. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… Saul had many of God’s people killed by the sword for be- ing on David’s side (); the prophet Uriah was slain this way (); and Elijah spoke about Jezebel killing many of God’s prophets in this way ( ), which ironically brings up the next thought:    Saul had many of God’s people killed by the sword for be- ing on David’s side ( 1 Sam. 22:17-19 ); the prophet Uriah was slain this way ( Jer. 26:20-23 ); and Elijah spoke about Jezebel killing many of God’s prophets in this way ( 1 Kgs. 19: 10 ), which ironically brings up the next thought:   

51. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… Just as the one man Jeremiah so perfect- ly epitomized, so the one man Elijah, by Jezebel, perfectly epitomizes much of. Just as the one man Jeremiah so perfect- ly epitomized verse 36, so the one man Elijah, being desti- tute, afflicted, and tortured by Jezebel, perfectly epitomizes much of verse 37.

52. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… Because he was driv- en from his home by Jezebel ( ), Elijah was des- titute and had to wear sheepskin ( cf., etc. where The Septuagint has the same Greek term as in Hebrews; this is pro- bably why he was cal- led [ ], not because he had an extremely long beard as supposed by painters ). Because he was driv- en from his home by Jezebel ( 1 Kgs. 19:3- 14 ), Elijah was des- titute and had to wear sheepskin ( cf. 2 Kgs. 2:13, etc. where The Septuagint has the same Greek term as in Hebrews; this is pro- bably why he was cal- led a hairy man [1 Kgs. 1:8], not because he had an extremely long beard as supposed by painters ).

53. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… Paul used the same word in when he said of the apostles that they were hard- pressed. Paul used the same word in 2 nd Corinthi- ans 4:8 when he said of the apostles that they were hard- pressed on every side, but not crushed. Question: Question:

54. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempt- ed, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflict- ed, tormented… How can one read the story of Elijah without at least par- tially feeling the tor- ment he unjustly endured from Ahab and Jezebel, all be- cause he stood for God against rulers of Israel ( reminiscent of the NT Elijah, John the Baptist, who stood for God against rulers of Israel )?

55. …of whom the world was not worthy. They wan- dered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews 11:38 

56. …of whom the world was not worthy. They wan- dered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. This implies that there were those who weren’t only in the world but also of the world, while there were those who were in the world but not of the world ( cf. & ). This implies that there were those who weren’t only in the world but also of the world, while there were those who were in the world but not of the world ( cf. John 15:19 & 17:14-16 ).

57. After Paul spoke in his defense before the Jews in Jerusalem, they said, (); i.e., they con- sidered men like him as merely (). That’s man’s opinion! But... After Paul spoke in his defense before the Jews in Jerusalem, they said, Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he isn’t fit to live ( Acts 22:22 ); i.e., they con- sidered men like him as merely sheep for the slaughter ( Rom. 8:36 ). That’s man’s opinion! But... If one were to ask God His opinion, He’d say just the opposite—that the world (not just people, but the entire kosmos ) was not worthy of such fellows! ( Cf..) If one were to ask God His opinion, He’d say just the opposite—that the world (not just people, but the entire kosmos ) was not worthy of such fellows! ( Cf. Rom. 8:33-39.)

58. …of whom the world was not worthy. They wan- dered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. Probably still with Elijah in mind, Paul informed us where these wanderers wandered and lived: they wandered in deserts and moun- tains and lived in … literally speaking … caverns and holes.

59. …of whom the world was not worthy. They wan- dered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. When Jezebel was after Elijah, he hid in a mountain cave (), and when she was killing God’s prophets, Obadiah hid 100 of them in caves, only able to feed them with bread & water (); and let’s not forget about David hiding in a cave from Saul (). When Jezebel was after Elijah, he hid in a mountain cave ( 1 Kgs. 19:9 ), and when she was killing God’s prophets, Obadiah hid 100 of them in caves, only able to feed them with bread & water ( 1 Kgs. 18:4 ); and let’s not forget about David hiding in a cave from Saul ( 1 Sam. 24:3 ). By the way… By the way…

60. …of whom the world was not worthy. They wan- dered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. Doesn’t all this make you wonder about the veracity of the health-and-wealth doctrine?

61. And all these, hav- ing obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise… Hebrews 11:39 

62. And all these, hav- ing obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise… Just as Paul began this chapter by speaking of how God indicated His approval of people who lived and even died in faith (,,, & ), so here he ended it by speak- ing of the same. Just as Paul began this chapter by speaking of how God indicated His approval of people who lived and even died in faith ( vv. 2, 4, 5, & 13 ), so here he ended it by speak- ing of the same.

63. Not only did these saints receive God’s approval in their faithfulness by which they gained a good reputation among their posterity, but (as Paul also wrote about in ) they also did so even without receiving the fulfillment of —the promise of the Messiah, His covenant, His kingdom, and His redemption. (They did receive some of the things promised to Abraham along the way [], but not this promise, one that actually goes beyond Abe.)  Not only did these saints receive God’s approval in their faithfulness by which they gained a good reputation among their posterity, but (as Paul also wrote about in verse 13) they also did so even without receiving the fulfillment of the promise—the promise of the Messiah, His covenant, His kingdom, and His redemption. (They did receive some of the things promised to Abraham along the way [v. 33], but not this promise, one that actually goes beyond Abe.) 

64. An interesting thought here is that even though the promise of a spiritual land or the eternal kingdom and life through the Messiah is usually associated with Abra- ham alone, yet those before him ( e.g., Abel, Enoch, & Noah ) were included here. This means that Paul could’ve very well had in mind where God said to the serpent ( and probably in ear-shot of Adam and Eve so they would pass it down to their children ),. An interesting thought here is that even though the promise of a spiritual land or the eternal kingdom and life through the Messiah is usually associated with Abra- ham alone, yet those before him ( e.g., Abel, Enoch, & Noah ) were included here. This means that Paul could’ve very well had Genesis 3:15 in mind where God said to the serpent ( and probably in ear-shot of Adam and Eve so they would pass it down to their children ), I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall wound your head, and you shall bruise His heel.

65. All these saints pleased God because they not only believed He existed, but that He also would reward those who diligently sought after Him (); i.e., they were convinced that He would indeed fulfill His promises, promises that involved the reward of salvation. All these saints pleased God because they not only believed He existed, but that He also would reward those who diligently sought after Him ( v. 6 ); i.e., they were convinced that He would indeed fulfill His promises, promises that involved the reward of salvation.

66. …God having pro- vided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:40 

67. …God having pro- vided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. This refers to New Covenant life as op- posed to Old Cove- nant death (). This is the thing that Paul has been discussing all along. This refers to New Covenant life as op- posed to Old Cove- nant death ( 2:14-15 ). This is the better thing that Paul has been discussing all along.

68. …God having pro- vided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. This means com- plete here, implying that Jesus’ soon coming () to fulfill the promise () of () or the () would bring to com- pletion the plan of God for reconcilia- tion to all mankind! And…    This means com- plete here, implying that Jesus’ soon coming ( 10:37 ) to fulfill the promise ( 10:36 ) of the time of reformation ( 9:10 ) or the times of re- storation ( Acts 3:21 ) would bring to com- pletion the plan of God for reconcilia- tion to all mankind! And…   

69. …God having pro- vided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Another important “re-” word is right here in this context, something without which reformation, restoration, & recon- ciliation wouldn’t be possible— (); it’s the thing because it’s what makes ! Then he said… Another important “re-” word is right here in this context, something without which reformation, restoration, & recon- ciliation wouldn’t be possible—resurrec- tion ( v. 35 ); it’s the better thing because it’s what makes per- fect! Then he said…

70. …God having pro- vided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. In other words, the reconciling of the Jews, yea the world, would not be or without the first century saints, the ones who lived in those last days of fulfillment. See…  In other words, the reconciling of the Jews, yea the world, would not be apart from or without the first century saints, the ones who lived in those last days of fulfillment. See… 

71. It was God’s plan that all this be worked out over a long period of earthly time, and now these Hebrew brethren were experiencing the fulfillment of it all. In Paul wrote. It was God’s plan that all this be worked out over a long period of earthly time, and now these Hebrew brethren were experiencing the fulfillment of it all. In Ephesians 1:10 Paul wrote that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He would gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth.

72. In Jesus said to His disci- ples,. And… In Luke 10:23-24 Jesus said to His disci- ples, Blessed are the eyes that see what you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see and haven’t seen it, and to hear what you hear and haven’t heard it. And… In Peter wrote,. So… In First Peter 1:12 Peter wrote, To them it was revealed that, not to themselves but to us, they were ministering the things which have been reported to you … things angels desire to look into. So… These Hebrews should’ve been excited over what they were experiencing!