Dr. Peter Van Kleeck, Sr., Providence Baptist Church 8/20/23 An Unexpected Record of Faith

TITLE: THE RECORD OF FAITH
TEXT: Hebrews: 11:32, “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:”

INTRODUCTION: Paul lists six additional OT figures by name, three of which are noted in Scripture more for their negative attributes than their trust in God – Barak would not go without Debra; Samson was a womanizer; And Japhthae is noted for his rash vow – this passage who tend to confirm that he did not sacrifice his daughter.

God measures faithfulness differently than we do. 4 of the 6 are taken from the book of Judges; a rollercoaster ride in Israel’s history. The book of Judges the history of Israel’s fall into idolatry, oppression by an invading army, the sending of a judge, victory over the enemy, and peace in the land as long as the judge lead the nation. This is followed by a fall into idolatry, oppression, etc. The cycle repeats itself. Judges concludes that everyone did that which was right in their own eyes – a lawless time in Israel’s history; a time of terrible oppression and warfare.
4 of the 6 men listed in this passage served God during this rebellious, lawless time in Israel’s history. Please note, that in each case, the principal reason for the judge is to destroy Israel’s enemies. This is one reason that Samson is included – he defeated Israel’s greatest foe, the Philistines.
Lessons to learn: 1. The Bible does not contain the whole of a man or woman’s life; only what God wants us to know; 2. Man’s judgment is harsher and more imbalanced than God’s judgment; 3. God recognizes living by faith if the faith is not lived 24/7 because no one can do it.

Gideon: Judges 6-7— Who with a small band of men cut off so many thousands of the Midianites; Lapping or kneeling – keeping their eyes on the horizon.

Barak: Judges 4 — Who, through faith in the prophecy of Deborah, freed Israel from the oppression of Jabin, and routed Sisera his general. Jael and the tent stake

Samson: Judges 14-16. — Who, through faith in the power of God, slew so many thousands of the Philistines with the jaw-bone of an ass, and performed many other astonishing achievements. Tore the gates of Gaza and carried them away. Killed more Philistines in his death than in his life.

Japhthae: Judges 11— Who, through believing God’s promise to Abraham, that his posterity should possess the land of Canaan, (see Jdg 11:24,) and through obeying the divine impulse, which moved him to fight against the Ammonites, obtained a great victory over these enemies of God’s people. Probably did not sacrifice his daughter – I will sacrifice the next thing that walks in the door, really?

David also — Whose faith was manifested, as in his many other heroic acts, so especially in his combat with Goliath. David’s history and Samuel’s in the First and Second Books of Samuel, and the First of Chronicles; the excellent exploits of whose faith are, as their names, enumerated promiscuously;

Samuel — Who, though a prophet and a judge, yet led on the armies of the Lord on a remarkable occasion, to an illustrious victory:

By the prophets he especially intended Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, &c., including likewise the believers who lived in their days.

Lessons to learn:
1. The Bible does not contain the whole of a man or woman’s life; only what God wants us to know;
2. Man’s judgment is harsher and more imbalanced than God’s judgment;
3. God recognizes living by faith if the faith is not lived 24/7 because no one can do it.