In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews there is a crescendo of enthusiasm as the writer looks back across the history of biblical people and notes the championlike behavior of people who had faith, who didn’t quit. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, and Moses are on the list. Gideon makes it; so do David, Samuel, and then a much larger roster of unnamed heroes who “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, . . . shut the mouths of lions, . . . were tortured . . . stoned . . . put to death . . . destitute,” to name a few of the difficulties (vv. 33–37). “These were all commended for
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