Heroes of the Faith
Hebrews 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith" or the "Faith Hall of Fame." In this noted Bible chapter, the writer of the book of Hebrews introduces an impressive list of heroic figures from the Old Testament--remarkable men and women whose stories stand out to encourage and challenge our faith. Some of these heroes of faith are well-known Bible personalities, while others remain anonymous.
Take a tour through the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith:
• Abel - First Martyr in the Bible
The first person listed in the Hall of Faith is Abel:
Hebrews 11:4
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. (NLT)
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. (NLT)
Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve. He was the first martyr in the Bible and also the first shepherd. Very little else is known about Abel, except that he found favor in God's eyes by offering him a pleasing sacrifice. As a result, Abel was murdered by his older brother Cain, whose sacrifice did not please God. More »
• Enoch - The Man Who Walked with God
The next member of the Hall of Faith is Enoch, the man who walked with God. Enoch so pleased the Lord God that he was spared the experience of death:
Hebrews 11:5-6
It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—"he disappeared, because God took him." For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (NLT) More »
It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—"he disappeared, because God took him." For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (NLT) More »
• Noah - A Righteous Man
Noah is the third hero named in the Hall of Faith.
Hebrews 11:7
It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family fromthe flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.(NLT)
It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family fromthe flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.(NLT)
Noah was known to be a righteous man. He was blameless among the people of his time. This does not mean Noah was perfect or sinless, but that he loved God with his whole heart and was fully committed to obedience. Noah's life--his singular, unshakable faith in the midst of a faithless society--has much to teach us today. More »
• Abraham - Father of the Jewish Nation
Abraham receives much more than a brief mention among the heroes of faith. A good deal of emphasis (fromHebrews 11:8-19) is given to this biblical giant and father of the Jewish nation.
One of Abraham's most notable feats of faith occurred when he willingly obeyed God's command in Genesis 22:2: "Take your son, your only son--yes, Isaac, whom you love so much--and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you." (NLT)
Abraham was fully prepared to slay his son, while fully trusting God to either resurrect Isaac from the dead, or provide a substitutionary sacrifice. At the last minute, God intervened and supplied the necessary ram. The death of Isaac would have contradicted every promise God had made to Abraham, so his willingness to perform the ultimate sacrifice of killing his son is probably the most dramatic example of faith and trust in God found in the entire Bible. More »
• Sarah - Mother of the Jewish Nation
Sarah, wife of Abraham, is one of only two women specifically named among the heroes of faith (Some translations, however, render the verse so that only Abraham receives credit.):
Hebrews 11:11
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. (NLT)
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. (NLT)
Sarah waited long past child-bearing age to have a baby. At times she doubted, struggling to believe God would fulfill his promise. Losing hope, she took matters into her own hands. Like most of us, Sarah was looking at God's promise from her limited, human perspective. But the Lord used her life to unfold an extraordinary plan, proving that God is never restricted by what usually happens. Sarah's faith is an inspiration to every person who has ever waited on God to act. More »
• Isaac - Father of Esau and Jacob
Isaac, the miracle child of Abraham and Sarah, is the next hero distinguished in the Hall of Faith:
Hebrews 11:20
It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau. (NLT)
It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau. (NLT)
The Jewish patriarch, Isaac, fathered twin boys, Jacob and Esau. His own father, Abraham, was one of the greatest examples of faithfulness the Bible has to offer. It's doubtless Isaac would ever forget how God had delivered him from death by supplying the necessary lamb to be sacrificed in his place. This legacy of faithful living carried into his marriage with Rebekah, Jacob's one and only wife and lifelong love. More »
• Jacob – Father of the 12 Tribes of Israel
Jacob, another of Israel's great patriarchs, fathered 12 sons who became heads of the 12 tribes. One of his sons was Joseph, a key figure in the Old Testament. But Jacob started out as liar, cheater, and manipulator. He struggled with God his entire life.
The turning point for Jacob came after a dramatic, all-night wrestling match with God. In the end the Lord touched Jacob's hip and he was a broken man, but also a new man. God renamed him Israel, which means "he struggles with God."
Hebrews 11:21
It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. (NLT)
It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. (NLT)
The words "as he leaned on his staff" are of no small significance. After Jacob wrestled with God, for the rest of his days he walked with a limp, and he gave over control of his life to God. As an old man and now a great hero of faith, Jacob "leaned on his staff," demonstrating his hard learned trust and dependence on the Lord. More »
• Joseph – Interpreter of Dreams
Joseph is one of the greatest heroes of the Old Testament and an extraordinary example of what can happen when a person surrenders his life in complete obedience to God.
Hebrews 11:22
It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left. (NLT)
It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left. (NLT)
After the terrible wrongs done to him by his brothers, Joseph offered forgivenessand made this incredible statement in Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people." (NLT) More »
• Moses - Giver of the Law
Like Abraham, Moses takes a place of prominence in the Hall of Faith. A towering figure in the Old Testament, Moses is honored inHebrews 11:23-29. (It should be noted that Moses' parents, Amram and Jocabed, are also commended for their faith in these verses, as well as the people of Israel for launchingacross the Red Sea during their escape from Egypt.)
Although Moses is one of the most striking examples of heroic faith in the Bible, he was human like you and me, plagued by mistakes and frailties. It was his willingness to obey God despite his many flaws that made Moses someone God could use--and use mightily indeed!More »
• Joshua – Successful Leader, Faithful Follower
Against overwhelming odds, Joshua led the people of Israel in their conquest of the Promised Land, beginning with the strange and miraculous battle of Jericho. His strong faith caused him to obey, no matter how illogical God's commands might seem. Obedience, faith, and dependence on the Lord made him one of Israel's finest leaders. He set a brave example for us to follow.
While Joshua's name is not specified in this verse, as the leader of Israel's march on Jericho, his faith hero status is certainly implied:
Hebrews 11:30
It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down
It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down
Joshua - Profile of Joshua the Old Testament Bible Character:
Joshua began life in Egypt as a slave, under cruel Egyptian taskmasters, but he rose to be the leader of Israel, through faithfulobedience to God.
Moses gave Hosea son of Nun his new name: Joshua (Yeshua in Hebrew), which means "the Lord is Salvation." This name selection was the first indicator that Joshua was a "type," or picture, of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
When Moses sent 12 spies to scout the land of Canaan, only Joshua and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, believed the Israelites could conquer the land with God's help. Angry, God sent the Jews to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until that unfaithful generation died. Of those spies, only Joshua and Caleb survived.
Before the Jews entered Canaan, Moses died and Joshua became his successor. Spies were sent into Jericho. Rahab, a prostitute, sheltered them and then helped them escape. They swore to protect Rahab and her family when their army invaded. To enter the land, the Jews had to cross the flooded Jordan River. When the priests and Levites carried the Ark of the Covenant into the river, the water stopped flowing. This miracle mirrored the one God had performed at the Red Sea.
Joshua followed God's strange instructions for the battle of Jericho. For six days the army marched around the city. On the seventh day, they marched seven times, shouted, and the walls fell down flat. The Israelites swarmed in, killing every living thing except Rahab and her family.
Because Joshua was obedient, God performed another miracle at the battle of Gibeon. He made the sun stand still in the sky for an entire day so the Israelites could wipe out their enemies completely.
Under Joshua's godly leadership, the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan. Joshua assigned a portion to each of the 12 tribes. Joshua died at the age of 110 and was buried at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim.
Joshua's Accomplishments:
During the 40 years the Jewish people wandered in the wilderness, Joshua served as a faithful aide to Moses. Of 12 spies sent to scout out Canaan, only Joshua and Caleb had confidence in God, and only those two survived the desert ordeal to enter the Promised Land. Against overwhelming odds, Joshua led the Israelite army in its conquest of the Promised Land. He apportioned the land to the tribes and governed them for a time. Without a doubt, Joshua's greatest accomplishment in life was his unwavering loyalty and faith in God.
Some Bible scholars view Joshua as an Old Testament representation, or foreshadowing, of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. What Moses (who represented the law) was unable to do, Joshua (Yeshua) achieved when he successfully led the people of God out of the desert to conquer their enemies and enter the Promised Land. His accomplishments point to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross—the defeat of God's enemy, Satan, the setting free of all believers from captivity to sin, and the opening of the way into the "Promised Land" of eternity.
Joshua's Strengths:
While serving Moses, Joshua was also an attentive student, learning much from the great leader. Joshua showed tremendous courage, despite the huge responsibility assigned to him. He was a brilliant military commander. Joshua prospered because he trusted God with every aspect of his life.
Joshua's Weaknesses:
Before battle, Joshua always consulted God. Unfortunately, he did not do so when the people of Gibeon entered into a deceptive peace treaty with Israel. God had forbidden Israel to make treaties with any people in Canaan. If Joshua had sought God's guidance first, he would not have made this mistake.
Life Lessons:
Obedience, faith, and dependence on God made Joshua one of Israel's strongest leaders. He provided a bold example for us to follow. Like us, Joshua was often besieged by other voices, but he chose to follow God, and he did it faithfully. Joshua took seriously the Ten Commandments and ordered the people of Israel to live by them as well.
Even though Joshua was not perfect, he proved that a life of obedience to God bears great rewards. Sin always has consequences. If we live according to God's Word, like Joshua, we will receive God's blessings.
Hometown:
Joshua was born in Egypt, probably in the area named Goshen, in the northeast Nile delta. He was born a slave, like his fellow Hebrews.
Referenced in the Bible:
Exodus 17, 24, 32, 33; Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges 1:1-2:23; 1 Samuel6:14-18; 1 Chronicles 7:27; Nehemiah 8:17; Acts 7:45; Hebrews 4:7-9.
Occupation:
Egyptian slave, personal assistant of Moses, military commander, leader of Israel.
Family Tree:
Father - Nun
Tribe - Ephraim
Tribe - Ephraim
Key Verses:
Joshua 1:7
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." (NIV)
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." (NIV)
Joshua 4:14
That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses. (NIV)
That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses. (NIV)
Joshua 10:13-14
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! (NIV)
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! (NIV)
Joshua 24:23-24
"Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the Lord our God and obey him." (NIV)
"Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the Lord our God and obey him." (NIV)
