Hebrews 11:33-40 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 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; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
‘Received not the promise.’ The promise referred to here is that of the coming Messiah, the sum and substance of all the Old Testament promises (10:36-37; Luke 1:67-79; Rom. 1:2-5). Old Testament saints relied upon the promise of the Messiah but did not live to see Him come in the flesh, fulfil His work of redemption, make the new covenant, and establish His body.
‘Better thing for us.’ The better thing for us is no doubt the new covenant and its realities of which the old covenant sacrifices and rituals – even the sacrifices of Abel, Noah, and Abraham – were shadows. The verse could read, “God foresaw something better for us; He would not have them perfected without us.”
‘Perfect’ [Greek: teleioo] to make a full end; consummate (Php. 3:12). Translated perfect (Php. 3:12; Luke 13:32; John 17:23; 2Cor. 12:9; Heb. 2:10; 5:9; 7:19; 9:9; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23; Jas. 2:22; 1Jn. 2:5; 4:12, 17-18); fulfil (Luke 2:43; John 19:28); and finish (John 4:34; 5:36; 17:4; Acts 20:24). This kind of perfection refers to the complete and glorified state.
Living the Word 