Hebrews 11:32 Study Bible: And what more should I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;

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And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,

Study Bible

And what more shall I say?
This phrase indicates the writer's rhetorical style, emphasizing the abundance of examples of faith. It suggests that the list of faithful individuals could be extended indefinitely, highlighting the vastness of God's work through His people. The author of Hebrews is building on a previous list of faithful figures, underscoring the continuity of faith from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Time will not allow me to tell of
The author acknowledges the constraints of time and space, suggesting that the stories of faith are too numerous to recount fully. This implies that the examples given are representative rather than exhaustive, encouraging readers to explore the Scriptures further for more instances of faith.

Gideon,
Gideon is a judge of Israel whose story is found in Judges 6-8. He is known for his victory over the Midianites with only 300 men, demonstrating faith in God's power rather than human strength. His story illustrates the theme of God using the weak to confound the strong, a recurring biblical motif.

Barak,
Barak's story is in Judges 4-5, where he leads Israel to victory against the Canaanite army under the leadership of Deborah, a prophetess. His inclusion highlights the importance of obedience to God's command, even when it requires reliance on others, as Barak depended on Deborah's guidance.

Samson,
Samson, another judge of Israel, is known for his supernatural strength and his struggles with personal weaknesses, as detailed in Judges 13-16. His life is a complex narrative of faith and failure, showing that God can work through flawed individuals to achieve His purposes.

Jephthah,
Jephthah's story is found in Judges 11-12. He is remembered for his vow and victory over the Ammonites. His inclusion in this list underscores the theme of faith despite personal and social challenges, as he was initially rejected by his family and society.

David,
David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the Old Testament. His life, chronicled in 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2, exemplifies faith in God's promises, as seen in his anointing, his victory over Goliath, and his reign. David is also a type of Christ, foreshadowing the coming Messiah as a shepherd-king.

Samuel,
Samuel, a prophet and the last judge of Israel, is known for his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. His life, recorded in 1 Samuel, highlights the importance of listening to God's voice and leading with integrity. Samuel's prophetic ministry points to the ultimate prophet, Jesus Christ.

and the prophets,
This phrase encompasses a wide range of individuals who spoke God's word to His people, including figures like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah. The prophets often faced persecution and hardship, yet they remained faithful to their calling. Their lives and messages frequently pointed to the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Gideon
A judge of Israel who led a small army to victory against the Midianites, demonstrating faith in God's power despite overwhelming odds (Judges 6-8).

2. Barak
A military leader who, with the prophetess Deborah, defeated the Canaanite army led by Sisera, showing faith by following God's command through Deborah (Judges 4-5).

3. Samson
Known for his supernatural strength, he was a judge of Israel who fought against the Philistines, ultimately sacrificing his life to defeat them (Judges 13-16).

4. Jephthah
A judge of Israel who led the Israelites to victory against the Ammonites, known for his rash vow, yet commended for his faith (Judges 11-12).

5. David
The second king of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who demonstrated faith through his leadership, psalms, and reliance on God (1 Samuel 16 - 1 Kings 2).

6. Samuel
The last judge of Israel, a prophet who anointed the first two kings of Israel, known for his faithfulness and obedience to God (1 Samuel 1-25).

7. The Prophets
A collective term for those who spoke God's word to Israel, often facing persecution and hardship, yet remaining faithful to their calling.

Teaching Points

Faith in Action
Each individual mentioned acted on their faith, demonstrating that true faith results in action, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.

Imperfect People, Perfect God
The individuals listed were flawed, yet God used them mightily. This teaches us that God can work through our imperfections if we remain faithful.

Obedience to God's Call
The accounts of these figures emphasize the importance of obeying God's call, even when it requires great personal sacrifice or seems illogical.

The Power of Repentance
Samson's account, in particular, highlights the power of repentance and God's willingness to restore and use those who turn back to Him.

Legacy of Faith
The mention of these figures in Hebrews 11 serves as a reminder that our faith can leave a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the account of Gideon encourage you to trust God in situations where you feel inadequate or overwhelmed?

2. In what ways can Barak's reliance on Deborah's prophetic guidance inform your understanding of seeking and following godly counsel?

3. What lessons can we learn from Samson's life about the consequences of personal failings and the redemptive power of repentance?

4. How does David's faith in God's promises challenge you to remain steadfast in your own faith journey, especially during difficult times?

5. Reflecting on the lives of these individuals, how can you apply the principle of obedience to God's call in your daily life, even when it requires personal sacrifice?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Judges 6-8
Details Gideon's account, highlighting his initial doubt and eventual faith in God's deliverance.

Judges 4-5
Describes Barak's victory over Sisera, emphasizing the role of faith and obedience.

Judges 13-16
Chronicles Samson's life, illustrating the consequences of personal failings and the power of repentance.

Judges 11-12
Tells of Jephthah's leadership and the complexity of faith amidst human imperfection.

1 Samuel 16 - 1 Kings 2
Covers David's life, showcasing his faith in God through various trials and triumphs.

1 Samuel 1-25
Narrates Samuel's ministry, highlighting his role as a faithful prophet and judge.

Sermons

A Summary of the Sufferings and Trials of Believers	D. Young	Hebrews 11:32-38
A Bevy of Heroes	H. Thorne.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Barak's Name, Infirmities, and Virtues	W. Gouge.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Faith a Arc De Triomphe	C. H. Spurgeon.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Faith Victorious by the Prospect of Future Blessing	C. New.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Gideon's Excellencies	W. Gouge.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Illustrations of Faith	E. Monro.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Importance of Noble Living	J. R. Macduff.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Jephthah's Excellencies	W. Gouge.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Samson's Faith	R . A. Hallam, D. D.	Hebrews 11:32-40
The Faith of Barak	Family Churchman	Hebrews 11:32-40
The Heroes of Faith	W. Stevenson, M. A.	Hebrews 11:32-40
The Moral Meaning of Human History	Homilist	Hebrews 11:32-40
The Nobility of Samson's Character	Prof. W. G. Elmslie.	Hebrews 11:32-40
Troubles Made Beautiful	J. Dallas.	Hebrews 11:32-40

People

Abel, Barak, Cain, David, Egyptians, Enoch, Esau, Gedeon, Gideon, Hebrews, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jephthae, Jephthah, Joseph, Noah, Pharaoh, Rahab, Samson, Samuel, Sara, Sarah

Places

Egypt, Jericho, Jerusalem, Red Sea

Topics

Barak, David, Fail, Gedeon, Gideon, Jephthae, Jephthah, Prophets, Recounting, Samson, Samuel, Stories, Story, Telling, Yet

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Hebrews 11:1-39

5763 attitudes, positive to God
8412 decisions

Hebrews 11:1-40

Hebrews 11:4-38

5956 strength, human
8024 faith, and blessings

Hebrews 11:32-38

     5565   suffering, of believers
     5957   strength, spiritual
     7775   prophets, lives
     8795   persecution, nature of

Hebrews 11:32-39

5292 defence, divine
8221 courage, strength from God

Library

October 15. "Faith is the Evidence of Things not Seen" (Heb. xi. 1).
"Faith is the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. xi. 1). True faith drops its letter in the post-office box, and lets it go. Distrust holds on to a corner of it, and wonders that the answer never comes. I have some letters in my desk that have been written for weeks, but there was some slight uncertainty about the address or the contents, so they are yet unmailed. They have not done either me or anybody else any good yet. They will never accomplish anything until I let them go out of my hands and …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

April 26. "Strangers and Pilgrims" (Heb. xi. 13).
"Strangers and pilgrims" (Heb. xi. 13). If you have ever tried to plough a straight furrow in the country--we are sorry for the man that does not know how to plough and more sorry for the man that is too proud to want to know--you have found it necessary to have two stakes in a line and to drive your horses by these stakes. If you have only one stake before you, you will have no steadying point for your vision, but you can wiggle about without knowing it and make your furrows as crooked as a serpent's …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

February 3. "He Went Out, not Knowing Whither He Went" (Heb. xi. 8).
"He went out, not knowing whither He went" (Heb. xi. 8). It is faith without sight. When we can see, it is not faith but reasoning. In crossing the Atlantic we observed this very principle of faith. We saw no path upon the sea nor sign of the shore. And yet day by day we were marking our path upon the chart as exactly as if there had followed us a great chalk line upon the sea; and when we came within twenty miles of land we knew where we were as exactly as if we had seen it all three thousand miles …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January the First the Unknown Journey
"He went out not knowing whither he went." --HEBREWS xi. 6-10. Abram began his journey without any knowledge of his ultimate destination. He obeyed a noble impulse without any discernment of its consequences. He took "one step," and he did not "ask to see the distant scene." And that is faith, to do God's will here and now, quietly leaving the results to Him. Faith is not concerned with the entire chain; its devoted attention is fixed upon the immediate link. Faith is not knowledge of a moral …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Illusiveness of Life.
Preached June 9, 1850. THE ILLUSIVENESS OF LIFE. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."--Hebrews xi. 8-10. Last Sunday we touched upon …
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

The Pilgrim's Longings
Now, our position is very similar to theirs. As many of us as have believed in Christ have been called out. The very meaning of a church is, "called out by Christ." We have been separated. I trust we know what it is to have gone without the camp, bearing Christ's reproach. Henceforth, in this world we have no home, no true home for our spirits; our home is beyond the flood; we are looking for it amongst the unseen things; we are strangers and sojourners as all our fathers were, dwellers in this wilderness, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

Rahab's Faith
I do think this triumph of faith over sin is not the least here recorded, but that if there be any superiority ascribable to any one of faith's exploits, this is, in some sense, the greatest of all. What! faith, didst thou fight with hideous lust? What! wouldst thou struggle with the fiery passion which sendeth forth flame from human breasts? What! wouldst thou touch with thy hallowed fingers foul and bestial debauchery? "Yea," says faith, "I did encounter this abomination of iniquity; I delivered …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Faith
This is an old law; it is as old as the first man. No sooner were Cain and Abel born into this world, and no sooner had they attained to manhood, than God gave a practical proclamation of this law, that "without faith it is impossible to please him." Cain and Abel, one bright day, erected an altar side by side with each other. Cain fetched of the fruits of the trees and of the abundance of the soil, and placed them upon his altar; Abel brought of the firstlings of the flock, and laid it upon his …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
We may take pleasure in thinking of Noah as a kind of contrast to Enoch. Enoch was taken away from the evil to come: he saw not the flood, nor heard the wailing of those who were swept away by the waterfloods. His was a delightful deliverance from the harvest of wrath which followed the universal godlessness of the race. It was not his to fight the battle of righteousness to the bitter end; but by a secret rapture he avoided death, and escaped those evil days in which his grandson's lot was cast. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 36: 1890

The Best Strengthening Medicine
THOSE WHO OUT OF WEAKNESS were made strong are written among the heroes of faith, and are by no means the least of them. Believers "quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong." Who shall tell which of the three grand deeds of faith is the greatest? Many of us may never have to brave the fiery stake, nor to bow our necks upon the block, to die as Paul did; but if we have grace enough to be out of weakness made strong, we shall not be left out of …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Obedience of Faith
"Is there a heart that will not bend To thy divine control? Descend, O sovereign love, descend, And melt that stubborn soul! " Surely, though we have had to mourn our disobedience with many tears and sighs, we now find joy in yielding ourselves as servants of the Lord: our deepest desire is to do the Lord's will in all things. Oh, for obedience! It has been supposed by many ill-instructed people that the doctrine of justification by faith is opposed to the teaching of good works, or obedience. There …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Call of Abraham
I. First, let us LOOK AT ABRAHAM. Abraham's family was originally an idolatrous one; afterwards some beams of light shone in upon the household, and they became worshippers of the true God; but there was much ignorance mingled with their worship, and at least occasionally their old idolatrous habits returned. The Lord who had always fixed on Abraham to be his chosen servant and the father of his chosen people upon earth, made Abraham leave the society of his friends and relatives, and go out of Ur …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Go Back? Never!
"And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly...city."--Hebrews 11:15, 16. ABRAHAM left his country at God's command, and he never went back again. The proof of faith lies in perseverance. There is a sort of faith which doth run well for a while, but it is soon ended, and it doth not obey the truth. The Apostle tells us, however, that the people of God were …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Gaze of the Soul
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.--Heb. 12:2 Let us think of our intelligent plain man mentioned in chapter six coming for the first time to the reading of the Scriptures. He approaches the Bible without any previous knowledge of what it contains. He is wholly without prejudice; he has nothing to prove and nothing to defend. Such a man will not have read long until his mind begins to observe certain truths standing out from the page. They are the spiritual principles behind …
A. W. Tozer—The Pursuit of God

The Christian Faith
Scripture references: Hebrews 11; Matthew 9:29; 17:20; Mark 10:52; 11:22; Acts 2:38; 3:16; 10:43; 16:30,31; Romans 1:17; 5:1; 10:17; Galatians 2:20. FAITH AND PRACTICE Belief Controls Action.--"As the man is, so is his strength" (Judges 8:21), "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:28,29). "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). The Scriptures place stress upon the fact that …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Voices of the Dead
"And by it he being dead yet speaketh." Hebrews xi. 4. Much of the communion of this earth is not by speech or actual contact, and the holiest influences fall upon us in silence. A monument or symbol shall convey a meaning which cannot be expressed; and a token of some departed one is more eloquent than words. The mere presence of a good and holy personage will move us to reverence and admiration, though he may say and do but little. So is there an impersonal presence of such an one; and, though …
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

The Practice of Piety; Directing a Christian How to Walk that He May Please God.
Whoever thou art that lookest into this book, never undertake to read it, unless thou first resolvest to become from thine heart an unfeigned Practitioner of Piety. Yet read it, and that speedily, lest, before thou hast read it over, God, by some unexpected death, cut thee off for thine inveterate impiety. The Practice of Piety consists-- First, In knowing the essence of God, and that in respect of, (I.) The diverse manner of being therein, which are three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (II.) …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Testimonies.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God."--Heb. xi. 6. In order to prevent the possibility of being led into paths of error, faith is directed, not to a Christ of the imagination, but to "the Christ in the garments of the Sacred Scripture," as Calvin expresses it. And therefore we must discriminate between (1) faith as a faculty implanted in the soul without our knowledge; (2) faith as a power whereby this implanted faculty begins to act; and (3) faith as a result,--since with this faith (1) …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Abraham and Isaac. Genesis xxii.
1.--"After these things." What things? See verse 33 in preceding chapter. After Abraham had given himself to prayer. It often happens that grace is given for grace. God prepares his own for trial and suffering by revealing Himself. "GOD DID TEMPT."--Like a workman who is conscious the work is well done, fears not the scrutiny which waits his labour. When the smith has put good work into the iron cable, he does not then fear the strain of the test put upon it, and God knew what He had done to …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Enoch, the Deathless
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. Enoch was the bright particular star of the patriarchal epoch. His record is short, but eloquent. It is crowded into a few words, but every word, when placed under examination, expands indefinitely. Every virtue may be read into them; every eulogium possible to a human character shines from them. He was a devout man, a fearless preacher of righteousness, an intimate friend of God, and the only man of his dispensation who did not see death. He sheds a lustre on the …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Faith an Assurance and a Proof.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen. For therein the elders had witness borne to them. By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which do appear."--HEB. xi. 1-3 (R.V.). It is often said that one of the greatest difficulties in the Epistle to the Hebrews is to discover any real connection of ideas between the author's general purpose in the previous discussion and the …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

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