Hebrews 11:39
“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.”
Context:To understand Hebrews 11:39 better, it’s important to consider the context. Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith” or the “Faith Hall of Fame.” It is a chapter that highlights the faith of various Old Testament figures such as Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many others. These individuals demonstrated great faith in God, even though they did not receive the full fulfillment of God’s promises during their lifetime.
Faith and Good Report:The verse begins by stating, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith…” This refers to the commendation or approval these individuals received from God because of their faith. The preceding verses in Hebrews 11 provide numerous examples of their faith and how they pleased God.
The Promise:The latter part of the verse states, “…received not the promise.” This refers to the fact that even though these faithful individuals obtained a good report through their faith, they did not see the complete fulfillment of the promises God made to them during their earthly lives. They lived in anticipation of the fulfillment of those promises, but they did not experience them in their entirety.
An Important Principle:Hebrews 11:39 highlights an important principle of faith. It demonstrates that sometimes God’s promises may not be realised within an individual’s lifetime. This does not diminish the value or significance of their faith or their testimony. Instead, it emphasises the importance of trusting in God’s faithfulness, even when the fulfilment of His promises seems delayed or uncertain.
A Bigger Picture:While the individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 did not see the complete fulfilment of God’s promises during their earthly lives, the subsequent verses (Hebrews 11:40 and Hebrews 12:1-2) shed light on the bigger picture. Hebrews 11:40 states that “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” This implies that the fulfilment of God’s promises was ultimately connected to the work of Jesus Christ and the coming of the New Covenant.
Application:Hebrews 11:39 encourages believers to have faith and perseverance even in the face of delayed or unfulfilled promises. It reminds us that God’s timing and plans are beyond our comprehension. Like those mentioned in Hebrews 11, we are called to trust in God’s faithfulness and continue to live by faith, knowing that the fullness of God’s promises will be realised in His perfect timing.
