العبرانيين ١١:٣٢

the time--suitable for the length of an Epistle. He accumulates collectively some out of many examples of faith. Gideon--put before Barak, not chronologically, but as being more celebrated. Just as Samson for the same reason is put before JephthÃ&brvbr. The mention of JephthÃ&brvbr as an example of "faith," makes it unlikely he sacrificed the life of his daughter for a rash vow. David, the warrior king and prophet, forms the transition from warrior chiefs to the "prophets," of whom "Samuel" is mentioned as the first.

The apostle having given us a classis of many eminent believers, whose names are mentioned and the particular trials and actings of their faith recorded, now concludes his narrative with a more summary account of another set of believers, where the particular acts are not ascribed to particular persons by name, but left to be applied by those who are well acquainted with the sacred story; and, like a divine orator, he prefaces his part of the narrative with an elegant expostulation: What shall I say more? Time would fail me; as if he had said, "It is in vain to attempt to exhaust this subject; should I not restrain my pen, it would soon run beyond the bounds of an epistle; and therefore I shall but just mention a few more, and leave you to enlarge upon them." Observe, 1. After all our researches into the scripture, there is still more to be learned from them. 2. We must well consider in divine matters what we should say, and suit it as well as we can to the time. 3. We should be pleased to think how great the number of believers was under the Old Testament, and how strong their faith, though the objects thereof were not then so fully revealed. And, 4. We should lament it, that now, in gospel times, when the rule of faith is more clear and perfect, the number of believers should be so small and their faith so weak. I. In this summary account the apostle mentions, 1. Gideon, whose story we have in Jdg 6:11, etc. He was an eminent instrument raised up of God to deliver his people from the oppression of the Midianites; he was a person of mean tribe and family, called from a mean employment (threshing wheat), and saluted by an angel of God in this surprising manner, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of war. Gideon could not at first receive such honours, but humbly expo…

11:32-40 In a rapid series of examples, the author gives an overview of other faithful people through the rest of the old covenant era. In 11:32-35a, the outcome of faith is deliverance and victory. In 11:35b-38, however, faith brought severe persecution and even martyrdom. The result for both groups was that God honored them with a good reputation because of their faith (11:39). 11:32 How much more do I need to say? The author makes a transition to his concluding summary, which begins with six heroes of faith from the time of the judges and the united monarchy. Gideon defeated the Midianites with torches and jars (Judg 7:7-25). Barak routed Sisera and the Canaanites (Judg 4:8-16). Samson, though weak in moral fiber, was used by God to fight the Philistines on behalf of Israel (Judg 13–16). Jephthah won victory over the Amorites and Ammonites (Judg 10:6–12:7). David, the only king in the group, loved God and, for the most part, led an exemplary life of faith (1 Sam 16—1 Kgs 1). Samuel was an important transitional leader between the judges and the monarchy; he heard God’s voice and obeyed his will (1 Sam 1–15). • The statement all the prophets includes Elijah, Elisha, and the “writing prophets” from Isaiah to Malachi. The prophets often exhibited great faith in the face of hostility.