"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

Hebrews 11:39-40

The question at the start of verse 32 indicates that the writer reached the climax of his list with Rahab: ‘And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell … .’ He names six individuals plus ‘the prophets,’ followed by nine examples of the great deeds they accomplished through faith. After this, the tone changes. While some women received back their dead who were raised to life, there were others who endured various kinds of torture and sometimes martyrdom, suffering extreme cruelty from their persecutors. Those who lived were mistreated horribly and excluded from society, being forced to wander in deserts and mountains and to live in caves and holes in the ground.

The whole catalog of heroes of faith and their deeds shows how God’s faithful people, that great ‘cloud of witnesses,’ have endured by keeping their eyes on the goal while suffering persecution. The implication is that the first readers of Hebrews, who had suffered persecution in the past and were likely to face further persecution in the future, would be encouraged in their faith and motivated to persevere, even if it cost them their lives.

The chapter closes as it began, with the reminder that all these ‘ancients’ were commended for their faith (see v. 2). Nevertheless, none of them received what was promised. For that, they had to wait (v. 40). Those of us who follow Christ now and the faithful ones who preceded him are together made perfect through the self-offering of Christ. We, with them, will make up that great company of ‘the righteous made perfect.’ Together, we will surround the throne in the world to come, where Jesus is now exalted – so long as we endure.

CLOSING PRAYER

Mighty God, thank you for those who persevere in the hard places of the world for your glory. Give them courage and the assurance that you are with them and are pleased with the faith by which they live.