Hebrews 11 Heroes: Lifespans and Deaths in Faith

Hebrews 11:4-39

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from where they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: why God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall your seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from where also he received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect to the recompense of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

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:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

The Bible provides a rich history of the heroes of faith, showing that while their lifespans decreased over time due to the continued violation of the laws of life, their legacy of fidelity to God remains immortalFE 24.1+2.

The Patriarchs of the Early World

In the first few thousand years of history, men lived significantly longer than they do today, often reaching nearly a thousand yearsFE 24.1+1. During this era, it was highly unusual for a child to die before their parent3T 138.1+1.

• Adam: He lived for a total of 930 years before he died Genesis 5:53T 138.1+1.

• Seth: He reached the age of 912 years Genesis 5:83T 138.1+1.

• Enoch: A marked character who walked closely with God, Enoch did not experience death at allGW92 383.1+1. Because of his holy life, God sent angels to translate him to heaven without seeing deathSPCCSR 52.1+1.

• Noah: He lived to be 950 years old Genesis 9:29. He stands as a hero of faith who stood against a corrupt generation and served as the master builder of the arkSPCCSR 52.1+1.

The Fathers of the Promise

As history progressed, the length of man's life began to taperFE 24.1+1.

• Abraham: He died at the age of 175, described as a "good old age" Genesis 25:7-83T 138.1+1. Throughout his life, he remained a pilgrim and a stranger, looking forward to a heavenly city Hebrews 11:13GW 112.1+1.

• Isaac: He lived to be 180 years old Genesis 35:28. He is remembered for his submission during the trial at Mount Moriah and his constancy in virtueCG 225.2+1.

• Jacob: He reached the age of 147 years Genesis 47:28. He died in Egypt after blessing his sons, leaning on his staff in worship Hebrews 11:211SP 139.2.

• Joseph: He died at 110 years old Genesis 50:26. Before his death, he took an oath from his brethren that they would carry his bones to the promised land, refusing to be buried permanently in Egypt Hebrews 11:22CHPA 88.2.

Leaders and Martyrs

The later heroes of faith often faced violent deaths or died in exile, yet they maintained their integrity until the endGW 18.2+1.

• Moses: He died at the age of 120 years Deuteronomy 34:7. Before his death, he recounted the law to the new generation of Israel to prepare them for CanaanSR 170.1.

• David: He "slept with his fathers" after reigning as king, a phrase used frequently for the kings of Israel and Judah 1 Kings 2:10SITI November 18, 1886, page 696.5+1.

• Stephen: He was a martyr who was stoned to death by an enraged mobRH February 23, 1911, par. 8. As he died, he saw the glory of God and fell asleep with a prayer for his persecutors on his lips Acts 7:59-60RH February 23, 1911, par. 8.

• Paul: He faced execution under the Roman Emperor NeroSPCCSR 52.1+1. In his final days, he expressed complete confidence that he had finished his course and kept the faith, looking forward to a crown of righteousness 2 Timothy 4:7-8PH152 12.1+1.

The Nature of Their Death

For the righteous, death is described as a "sleep" until the resurrection4SP 369.1+1. They do not go immediately to heaven but remain in silence until they are awakened by the trump of God to receive their reward and a glorious immortality 1 Thessalonians 4:164SP 369.1+1. While some died of old age and others through martyrdom, they all died in faith, not yet having received the full realization of the promises, but seeing them afar off Hebrews 11:13+1ATO 41.1.