³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

The cascade of faithful people goes on. How does one select individuals for God’s Hall of Faith, there are so many examples. Four from the period of the Judges are included, but why these four (Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah) and not others like Othniel, Deborah or Eli? They all served during the time when “… everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25). That any of them is included is just as unlikely as Rahab’s inclusion, but we can certainly say theirs reflects the grace of God. Each had their faults: Gibeon’s repeated requests for signs and Samson’s well documented indulgences, and Jephthah’s foolish vow. Barak was not even a judge, but needed the courage of a woman, Deborah, who was the judge at that time, when the masculinity of leadership was seriously lacking.

The one thing, though, that they all shared in common with Rahab, Joshua, Moses, his parents, Jacob, Isaac, Sarah, Abraham, Enoch and Abel, was faith in the living God. Faith trumps all. Faith wins approval from God, it pleases him (Heb 11:6). Their faith was “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1).

David’s inclusion is easier to understand. After all he was the greatest of the kings of Israel, and became the archetype of Christ who is referred to as “the Son of David.” It is into David’s dynasty that Christ was born. He brought the people of Israel from a warring conglomerate of tribes into a cohesive unity that finally attained peace in the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. David was certainly a man of faith who was boldly loyal to God even to his own detriment at times. He was a “man after my [i.e. God’s] own heart” (Acts 13:22, 1 Sam 13:14). Fortunately, his inclusion in this chapter of faith comes after Rahab, lest we conclude that great faith is limited to only great people. Anyone can live a life of faith that pleases God!

Samuel is the last named individual in this list of chapter 11. Though chronologically he preceded David, he is the first of those formally called “prophets,” which association includes the likes of Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc. All men of faith, ordinary men of varying ministries and occupations, but all presented as examples of faith. Many more could be named as well, not just from the stories of Scripture but also from the pages of Christian history. The question now is, are you listed in the Lamb’s book of life, the list of people who have put their faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

Lord, thank You that Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God died for me. I believe!