Bible Study

Chapter 11

Chapter.   This chapter is the heart of this letter.  Faith is the central most important element in our walk and relationship with God.

Verses 1-3;  To be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see is Faith.  Faith is sureness and certainty.  What we see came from what we cannot see.  But we understand that only by Faith.

Verses 4-38;  Examples of Faith that the Jews were very familiar with.  Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, (30) Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets, and more, all walked by Faith.  Through Faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained what was promised, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of flames, and escaped the edge of the sword.  While some were victorious, others refused freedom in order to show their Faith that they may gain a better resurrection.  Many were chained in prisons, stoned, sawed in two, and put to death by the sword. Many were persecuted, mistreated, hid out in sheep and goatskins, while they wandered in deserts, mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. The world was not worthy of them.

Verse 39-40;   They were commended by God for their Faith.  For they were committed to their belief in God despite the fact they never received the promise in their lifetime.  But that was because God had something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.