Hebrews 11:32

What shall I more say? The list might be extended indefinitely, but enough illustrations have been provided to prove the principle that faith and faithfulness are the essence of godly living.

Time would fail. The writer’s purpose was not to prepare a catalogue of all of God’s faithful ones down through the centuries, but only to illustrate his point that faith and faithfulness are essential to patient waiting for the coming of the Lord and the fulfillment of His promises. The thrilling recital may have already taken more space than he at first intended, and he realizes that space does not permit an extension of what has provided a worthy climax to the theme of the book. He set out to prove that we have a great High Priest ministering on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary, and to appeal to all Christians to enter into His presence by faith (see chapter 4:14, 16). In the 11th chapter he implies that, by faith, the worthies of old lived, as it were, in the very presence of God. Inasmuch as they enjoyed that privilege and were able to remain faithful, so may we.

Gedeon. Or, Gideon (see Judges 6 and 7).

Barak. See Judges 4 and 5.

Samson. See Judges 13 to 16.

Jephthae. Or, Jephthah (see Judges 11).

David. The exploits of David form a large part of the historical books of 1 and 2 Samuel and portions of other books.

Samuel. The ministry of Samuel as priest, prophet, and judge is recorded in 1 Samuel 2 to 25.

The prophets. Almost to a man the prophets suffered because of their faithful witness for God (see Acts 7:52).