 |  |
"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of
Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets"
(Heb. 11: 32).
It seems that we should honour this abbreviation, and not spend time in examining the
life and doings of Gideon, Samson, and the rest. We shall only be side-tracked from our
theme if we stay to discuss the problem of Jeptha's daughter, and it would take a volume
adequately to deal with the faith of David and the prophets. Nevertheless the very
mention of these names impresses upon the mind the length of the list of witnesses to
faith found in the Word; but we pass on, with the apostle, to consider his own summary.
He gives an impressive list of witnesses, the first set being the positive acts of faith, and
the second, faith's endurance. The very tabulation of these acts of faith is solemnizing.
Eleven positive acts of faith.
A | Subdued kingdoms.
B | Wrought righteousness.
C | Obtained promises.
D | Stopped the mouths of lions.
E | Quenched the violence of fire.
F | Escaped the edge of the sword.
G | Were made strong out of weakness.
H | Waxed valiant in fight.
I | Turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
J | Women received their dead raised to life again.
K | Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance.
That they might obtain a BETTER resurrection.
Eleven negative acts of faith.
A | Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings.
B | Of bonds and imprisonment.
C | They were stoned.
D | They were sawn asunder.
E | They were tempted.
F | They were slain with the sword.
G | They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins.
H | Being destitute.
I | Afflicted.
J | Tormented.
K | They wandered in deserts, in mountains,
in dens and in caves of the earth.
God having provided some BETTER thing for us.
Without attempting that which the epistle sets aside as beyond the scope of the
eleventh chapter, we can point out some obvious connections in these lists with the
seven names given in verse 32. David subdued kingdoms, as Moab, Ammon, and Edom.
The note of triumphant faith is sounded by him in Psa. 60:: "God hath spoken in His
holiness; I will rejoice . . . . . Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe