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assurance o f the truth o f God’s testimony, e,ven though it is unsupported by any other evidence, and to rely upon and have unfal tering assurance o f the fulfillment o f His promises, even though everything seems against such fulfillment (cf. 1 John 5:10, R. V ; John 5:24, R. V .; Acts 27:22-25; Rom. 4 :3 ; 19-21, R. V .; Heb. 11:13). vs. 32-35. "And what shall I more say? fo r the time would ( will) fail me to tell . (if I tell) o f Gideon, and o f Barak, and o f Samson, and of Jephthah; o f David also, and Samuel, and o f the prophets, etc." In verses 4 to 31 the Holy Spirit has recorded some o f the most outstanding manifesta tions and achievements o f faith, and here we have a brief but suggestive catalogue of other heroes not mentioned at length and in detail, and a summary o f their victories. Ten things that they did are mentioned, and illustrations o f these ten things are found in the Old Testament: (1) They “subdued kingdoms.” (2) They “ wrought righteousness.” (3) They “ obtained prom ises.” Faith is the only way to obtain promises. ' The promises o f God are many and-are sure, and faith is the hand that we put out to take these promises and obtain their fulfillment for ourselves (cf. Luke 1:45; Jas, 1:5-7). (4) They “ stopped the mouth o f lions.” Here Daniel is the notable illustration (Dan. 6:10-24). (5) They “ quenched the violence (power) o f fire.” In this Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are the illustrations definitely given (Dan. 3:8-30). (6) They “ escaped the edge of the sword.” (7) “ Out o f weakness were made strong,” by faith the weakest can be made strong (Isa. 40:29-31). (8) They “waxed valiant in fight (mighty in war).” David and others arë an illustration o f this. (9) They “turned to flight the armies of aliens.’’ (10) They “ received their dead raised to life (or, by a resurrection).” In Second Kings we find a notable illustra tion o f this. vs. 36, 37. "And others had trial of cruel (omit, cruel) mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover o f bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder , (they) were tempted, (they) were slain
with a sword: they wandered (w ent) about in sheepskins, and goatskins, being desti tute, afflicted, tormented (evil entreated).” Having been given a summary of the vic tories wrought by faith, we aré now given a list o f things that men suffered in faith. Suffering bravely is one o f the greatest victories and achievements. O f many of these things that are specified that men suffered because o f faith, and the power o f faith, we have many illustrations in the Old Testament. But all the suffering was to issue in far greater reward, and the ■suffering is not worthy to be compared with the glory which comes out o f it (cf. Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17, 18). v. 38. "O f whom the world was onot worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caves o f the earth (mountains and caves and the holes o f the earth).’’ O f those who suffered and died in faith “the world was not worthy.” The world thought they were not worthy- o f it and, therefore, sent them out o f the w orld; but while the world despised, and rejected and slew them, God bore witness to them because o f their faith (v . 39, R. m vs. 39, 40. “And these all, having obtained a good report (had witness borne to them) through (their) faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing fo r (concerning) us, that they with out us (apart from us) should not be made perfect.” They did not receive the promise which God had made, but none the less the promise had not failed, for they will yet receive it when the number o f heroes o f faith is perfected. God simply delayed the -fulfillment o f the promise in order that we who are faithful to Him now should be perfected together with them. When the number o f heroes o f faith is perfected, we together with them shall be made perfect. v. 1. "W herefore (Th erefore), seeing we also are compassed about With so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” The Holy Spirit
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