Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel— according to the author of Hebrews, these figures all share a defining characteristic: faith. But what is faith, and how do the Old Testament’s famously imperfect heroes embody it? Why is the author taking so much time to talk about faith, and what are we supposed to take from this chapter?
Arguably the letter’s emotional climax, Hebrews 11 offers a long list of faithful people who have gone before. Sometimes called “the hymn of faith,” this chapter begins with a definition: faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) The author’s laundry list of patriarchs, prophets, and kings provides examples of life by this sort of faith, with the author paying special attention to Abraham and Moses.
Abraham set out for a new and unknown land, trusting in God to provide an heir even when he and Sarah seemed far beyond childbearing years. Of course, Abraham and Sarah had their lapses. Twice, Abraham pretended Sarah was his sister to trick rival chieftains, and when it looked like God might not provide the promised heir, Abraham slept with Sarah’s handmaiden, Hagar. Ultimately, Sarah gave birth to Isaac, and with the future of Abraham’s people resting on his son, Abraham was put to a test. Writers and theologians over the centuries have offered differing interpretations on the Binding of Isaac. The author of Hebrews defends Abraham, suggesting Abraham believed God would remain faithful and would even raise Isaac from the dead if needed. And so, Abraham proceeded in faith, but God’s angel famously stayed his hand and provided another sacrifice.
The hymn grants Moses a longer treatment as well, with the author of Hebrews highlighting Moses’s willingness to leave Egypt and be numbered among the people of Israel. Having been raised among the Egyptian royals, Moses could have returned to Pharaoh’s house like a long-lost family member, but in faith, Moses placed himself in danger. He stood up for his people, forsaking the wealth and security of his Egyptian upbringing and choosing to seek God’s promised land instead.
Of course, the author doesn’t sugarcoat these sacrifices. The final verses of the chapter describe persecutions and martyrdoms, all with a seemingly grim takeaway: none of these people lived to see God’s promises to them fulfilled. Abraham never saw his multitude of descendants through Isaac. Moses never set foot in the promised land. None of these leaders saw ancient Israel achieve its golden age, and none of them would see Jesus walk among his creation. Still, they persisted in faith, and here lies the core of the author’s argument. Yes, this hymn is also very much an argument. As discussed previously, the readers of Hebrews had been waning in their faith, and all these stories point toward how they should be living their lives. With this evidence on display, the author provides this persuasive conclusion:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Hebrews 11 not only provides a summation of the Old Testament; it encourages readers to persevere, to live out the same faith modeled by the witnesses who have gone before, and to focus on Jesus. The hymn of faith is really call to action, to set aside complacency and follow God wherever the path might lead. We don’t have to be perfect (as so many of the heroes named in the hymn are far from perfect); we just have to stay faithful.