Heroes of Faith

In the Beginning

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed ... dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.—Hebrews 11:8,9

The same faith motivated all the godly heroes of the Old Testament who “wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions . . . were stoned . . . sawn asunder . . . slain with the sword . . . being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy” (Hebrews 11:33,37,38).

The godly lives of these men are examples to us of consecrated living. Thus they form “a cloud of witnesses” for our edification (Hebrews 12:1). Also, frequently the experiences of their lives form allegorical lessons about God’s plan which strengthen and unify our grasp of the truth.

In this issue we consider five of these individuals, and reflect upon some of the episodes which tested their faith. All of these individuals faced trials which imperiled their lives, and so tested their characters under the most severe distress. In some experiences they were victorious, in some they stumbled. But in all of them God provided life lessons valuable for them, and rich with instruction for us.

Three of these “Ancient Worthies”—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—are the patriarchs to whom God secured his covenant of promise to bless “all the families of the earth.” The article Father of the Faithful is an extensive treatment of Abraham’s lengthy history, noting the faith which prompted his obedience in the most trying test one can imagine. Because of this kind of faith, Paul terms him “the father of all them that believe” (Romans 4:11).

A Man of Peace considers Isaac’s experiences in the land of the Philistines, and observes his example of peace under repeated provocation. A Lesson in Retributive Justice, from the life of Jacob, considers the consequences of our choices, and God’s overruling providence through them. In Joseph we have a lovely picture of Submission Under Injustice, and a foregleam of the experiences our Lord would later endure. Finally, one of Judah’s greatest leaders, King Hezekiah, for whose faith God delivered the Kingdom of Judah from domination by Assyria, is considered in the article Like a Caged Bird.

As we read of these episodes, let us resolve to inculcate into our hearts and conduct the nobility of faith exhibited in these faithful ones.