Examples of Faith
Hebrews 11Now faith is the foundation of what we hope for, the conviction of what we do not see. For by it, the people of old were commended. By faith we understand that the universe was formed by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out from what is visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and through this he was approved as righteous, because God approved his gifts. And through faith he still speaks, though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God took him up. For before he was taken up, he was given a testimony that he was pleasing to God. Without faith it is impossible to please to ʜɪᴍ, for he who comes to God must believe that ʜᴇ exists and that ʜᴇ is a rewarder of those who seek ʜɪᴍ.
By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverence he constructed an ark to save his household. Through this, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
By faith, Abraham when he was called, obeyed by going to a place where he would later receive an inheritance. He set out, without knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelled in the land of promise as a stranger in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with firm foundations, whose architect and artisan is God.
By faith even Sarah, though past the time of childbearing, received the ability to conceive, because she considered the one who had promised to be faithful. And so this one man, though dead, has begotten descendants as numerous as the stars in the heavens and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All of these people died in faith, not yet receiving the things promised. But they saw them far off and welcomed them, acknowledging that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. For people who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. In fact, if they had been focusing on the country they left, they would have had an opportunity to return. Instead, they aspire toward a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for ʜᴇ has prepared a city for them.
By faith, when he was tested, Abraham offered up Isaac. He gladly received the promises, but was ready to offer his only begotten son, even though it was said to him, “Your descendants will carry on your name through Isaac.”+Gen 21:12 Abraham concluded that God had the power to raise him from the dead, and in a sense, he did receive him back from the dead.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding their future.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke of the exodus of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was an extraordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing instead to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. He considered abuse for Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, because he his gaze was fixed on the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s wrath. He persevered, because he saw the invisible one. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after the people encircled it for seven days.
By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, and welcomed the spies in peace.
What more should I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets— who through faith conquered empires, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong in weakness, grew mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection. Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawn apart, tempted, and slain by the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, and mistreated (the world was not worthy of them). They wandered in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.
And all of these were commended for their faith, yet they didn’t receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.