Chapter 11 is probably the best-known chapter in the book of Hebrews. It has often been referred to as "The Faith Hall of Fame". The entire chapter is about Bible faith. It defines faith -- an unwavering trust and confidence in God's ways, whether or not we understand them -- then shows faith exemplified in the lives of men and women of old.

Remember the book's purpose -- to encourage the Hebrew Christians not to forsake their faith in Christ and revert back to the old Mosaic system of the first covenant. Hebrews presents, as proof that continuing with Christ is far superior to taking a step back into the past, the examples of those who endured the trials of the past.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." {Hebrews 11:1} Let us use the Creation as an example. Were you there when God said: "Let there be light"...? Is there anyone alive who can verify the Creation account? Because we see the evidence all around us (Psalm 19:1), we believe that God did create. Man could never come, through science or observation, to know about creation. We trust the accuracy of the Biblical record, and because it is God's record, it gives sufficient evidence to inspire our belief in Him. This is the nature of faith. The author reinforces his point with a series of illustrations:

Faith BEFORE the Patriarchs.

• Abel -- "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." {Hebrews 11:4} Abel's sacrifice was better than Cain's because he offered by faith -- obedience to God's command (Romans 10:17).
• Enoch -- "By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, 'and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God." {Hebrews 11:5} He pleased God because he obeyed His commands.
• Noah -- "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." {Hebrews 11:7} Noah had never seen rain. God told him to build an ark to save his house from an impending flood. By faith, Noah followed God's plan, built the ark, and saved himself, his family, and the animals.

Faith AMONG the Patriarchs.

• Abraham -- "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." {Hebrews 11:8-10} God told Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a place that God would show him. Later, God told him to slay the son He promised and gave to him -- and Abraham obeyed and prepared to take his son's life. Why? "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called', concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense." {Hebrews 11:17-19} Abraham had supreme faith that God would keep the promises He gave him. Abraham never stood on the Promised Land. He never saw Isaac's descendants become the mighty nation, Israel. Yet, in his heart, Abraham believed as though he had.
• Sarah -- "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised." {Hebrews 11:11} Though she was 90 years old, Sarah believed that God would give her a son in her old age -- and she conceived and bore Isaac.
• Isaac -- "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come." {Hebrews 11:20} Isaac blessed his sons in preparation for their different futures as leaders of two mighty nations.
• Jacob -- "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff." {Hebrews 11:21} He blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, believing they would participate in the great-nation promise.
• Joseph -- "By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones." {Hebrews 11:22} As he lay dying, Joseph, believing that his family would leave Egypt and journey to the Promised Land, told them to carry his bones with them to the Promised Land.
• All the Patriarchs -- "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." {Hebrews 11:13-16} The Patriarchs died in faith -- fully trusting God, even though they personally would not live to see the promises fulfilled. They obeyed because they looked forward to the promised, heavenly country.

Faith AFTER the Patriarchs.

• Moses -- "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them." {Hebrews 11:23-28} Moses had faithful parents who hid him to spare his life. He forsook the comforts of Egyptian royalty to suffer with his own people. He accepted reproach from the very people God commanded him to lead. He kept the Passover to save Israel's firstborn. By faith, he parted and crossed the Red Sea to deliver God's people from Egyptian bondage.
• Joshua -- "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days." {Hebrews 11:30} A new generation was preparing to enter the Promised Land. Their first test was approaching. Had they learned from the mistakes of their forefathers? He gave them (from man's point of view) what seemed like an unbelievable plan for taking Jericho. Would they follow His directions, or again be fearful of what they saw? We know the walls came down because Israel followed God's instructions to the letter! There's only one reason for following such a battle plan -- it came from God! By faith, they took the city and won their first battle in the Promised Land. Joshua became a powerful leader for God's people, and they were able, as God promised, to take the entire land.
• Rahab -- "By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace." {Hebrews 11:31} Rahab received the spies and hid them from those who were searching for them. In return, she asked that she and her family be spared when Israel took Jericho. The spies gave her strict instructions regarding what to do. Because Rahab and her family followed those instructions, they were spared.

Other examples of faith. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the Prophets -- "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions." {Hebrews 11:32-33} The stories of old tell us how these men, through their obedience to God's commands, set great examples of faith.

How strong was that faith? "Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again..." {Hebrews 11:34,35} These, in hope of obtaining the promises they sought, were willing to fight against those who opposed God, to risk all to subdue kingdoms, thus working God's righteousness before men.

What did they endure for God's sake? "...Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth." {Hebrews 11:35-38} Many men and women of old endured much, often losing their lives in the process. They did not complain or waiver in the face of such adversity. In order to finish the course they pursued, they were willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness, and unwilling to accept deliverance.

What did they expect for their trouble? "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." {Hebrews 11:39,40} They received a good report, but they did not receive the promises during their lifetimes. These promises were reserved for another people in another age. Why then did the faithful endure these trials and tribulations? They believed God would keep His promises, and that was enough to inspire them to remain faithful to His cause. These never received the blessings or promises -- but we who are privileged to live in this age received both the promises and the kingdom, His church. And they will too.

Why would anyone, after becoming God's child, go back to the world. "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them." {2 Peter 2:20,21} Back-pedaling was unprofitable then; and the same is true today. Faithful service to God will always be rewarded -- no matter the time period during which one lives. Dear reader, do you have a working, Bible faith in God?