…of Whom the World was not Worthy
“And others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 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 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.” Hebrews 11:35-38
This chapter has been called by various titles. It has been called the “Hall of Fame” or the “Hall of Faith.” The list of names in chapter 11 reads like a spiritual “who’s who.” Some of those listed are to be emulated, their lives examples of how we should live. Others in the list are to be followed only in particular aspects or even individual acts of their lives which were “by faith.” As we read this chapter, we are encouraged by what faith in the living God can do. Surrounded by “so great a cloud of witnesses,” we “run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith.”
One of the values of biographies is that they create a thirst within us. Perhaps you’ve heard the saying “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” But you can feed a horse salt and make him thirsty! Biographies of spiritual men and women are the “salt” that creates a thirst, causing us to desire more of what God has made available to us by faith.
Faith’s conquests
Some of the individuals listed in Hebrews 11 are noteworthy not so much for who they were but for what they achieved by faith. Against overwhelming odds and underwhelming resources (and sometimes downright impossibilities!), they trusted God. They offered to God more excellent sacrifices, were translated without seeing death, left all in obedience to God, received strength to conceive seed, and were given a child when past age. By faith Moses, when he was 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 pleasures of sin for a season.
By faith they passed through the Red Sea on dry land, and saw the walls of Jericho fall. Through faith they subdued kingdoms, wrought 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, waxed valiant in fight, drove away the armies of the aliens. By faith women received their dead raised to life again. These triumphs all stand out as encouragements to us.
The list also includes individuals who were often less than exemplary but had moments when their faith shone. Some, like Samson, were enigmatic! While the totality of their lives might have been less than stellar, their faith gained them entrance to the Hall of Faith.
While all of this causes admiration and may produce spiritual thirst, it can also cause us to sense our spiritual paucity. This is not completely bad. It brings conviction that challenges us to trust God more and believe Him for greater things.
Faith’s defeats?
Yet does faith always conquer? Does faith, in this life, always win? Is it possible to suffer loss, setbacks, and defeat by faith?
Faith is generally viewed as that which enables the weak to be strong, the faint to receive strength, the few to defeat the many, and so on. But it is evident in the lives of many in the Bible as well as throughout church history, that such obvious triumphs are not always God’s plan. So it is that the very chapter that is designed for our encouragement can discourage us if we don’t grasp all that it says.
Knowing this, our God has not left us in the lurch. He includes another category of people in this chapter simply known as “others.” What gains them a listing in the great faith chapter? “Others were tortured, cruelly mocked, scourged, in bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”
Did faith fail them?
Because of what faith is commonly thought to entail, some might be tempted to think of this list of others as examples of what happens when we don’t have faith! Some might think that these others are set in contrast to those who conquered by faith. After all, surely faith means conquering and not being conquered? being prosperous rather than destitute? being delivered rather than being killed? Yet we are told, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith” (Heb. 11:39). These are not faith’s “also ran’s.” They are heroes of the faith. In fact, in many ways, the faith of these others is more profound and more inspiring than those who won obvious victories.
Who were these others? While their names are unknown to us, they are not unknown to the Lord! Their accomplishments might not currently share the widespread appreciation as those of Abraham, Moses, or Daniel. But heaven and eternity will tell a different story!
We might find ourselves in the category of others. If so, remember: “these all…obtained a good report through faith” (Heb. 11:39). Their faith had a quality that was especially remarkable. They trusted God even when sense and circumstance seemed to weigh against doing so. What an encouragement to the Hebrews to whom these words were originally written! No doubt some of them thought that their suffering and the persecution they were experiencing were an evidence of God’s disfavor and proof of their lack of faith, but being reminded that many believers had suffered by faith would help to dispel such fears.
For our part, had the others not been listed, we might view our own faith as subpar if it didn’t end in the type of conspicuous triumphs that are mentioned first in Hebrews 11. But because these others are included, we can be comforted and strengthened in times of suffering, knowing that such trials are opportunities for faith to shine.
In difficult times, may we draw the same encouragement from these others as was intended for those to whom the words were first written.