Hebrews 11:30 "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days." (NKJV)

A disbelieving people did not enter the land, but a new generation were brought into the land by Joshua. The first great obstacle to conquest fell to their faith (Joshua 6 ). The endurance of their faith, though tested by the seven days of obedience, triumphed. God has His own special plan and timing for the solution of each and every challenge that confronts us - ours is but to trust and obey.

Hebrews 11:31 "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. " (KJV)

What she was before being saved, a harlot, she was no longer after believing (Joshua 2:8-11; 6:22- 25 ). God's great grace is the experience of the believing sinner. She married Salmon and her son was Boaz - she became the great-grandmother of David, and listed by Matthew as one of the ancestors of Jesus (Matthew 1:5 ). Faith lifts up to high dignity and exceeding great reward.

The writer knows he cannot at length deal with all the examples of those who have displayed triumphant faith (Hebrews 11:32 ), so he mentions six prominent ones from Israel's history - from the days of the judges to the early days of Monarchy.

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Gideon

By faith achieved a miraculous military victory (Hebrews 11:32; Judges 7 ).

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Barak

By faith defeated the Canaanite army of Sisera. He believed the encouraging prophetic word of Deborah (Hebrews 11:32; Judges 4 and 5 ).

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Samson

By faith exercised miraculous physical strength. He delivered Israel from the Philistine oppression (Hebrews 11:32; Judges 13:1 to 16:31 ).

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Jephthah

By faith conquered the Ammonites and punished the tribe of Ephraim (Hebrews 11:32; Judges 11:1 to 12:7 ).

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David Greatest King

By faith depended on God. He, through communion with God became the sweet psalmist of Israel, and a prophetic spokesman for God (Hebrews 11:32; 1 Samuel 17:32-51; 23:4,11; 2 Samuel 22:1 to 23:7; Acts 2:25-35 ).

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Samuel - Great Prophet And Judge

Lived by faith from a boy to maturity and old age, unwavering in his faithfulness to God. ( 1 Samuel 3:18,21; 9:6; 12:1-6,16-25 ). The faith of the prophets (Hebrews 11:32 ) well known to the first readers of Hebrews and to us, among them Elijah and Elisha - Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and all the others though not named, are indeed among the heroes of faith. Time may fail the writer to tell - but we can spend time in the word given through them and be strengthened in our faith to do exploits for God.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would you say that to be part of a new Joshua generation you will experience the testing of the endurance of your faith (Hebrews 11:30 )?

2. Do you believe God has an answer and timing for each challenge facing you (Hebrews 11:30 )?

3. What a change, saving faith brought into Rahab's life; do you have a testimony to His changing power (Hebrews 11:31 )?

4. Just as the writer of Hebrews could not deal with every shining example of faith - would you find it beyond you to put in a short letter all the examples you know (Hebrews 11:32 )?

5. Could you relate one or more of your own outstanding examples of faith (Hebrews 11:32 )?