The Hall Of Faith

Whether it be Football, Baseball, Basketball or Rock and Roll I believe we are all familiar with the Hall of Fame. But I've recently taken notice of a different Hall of Fame. It is found in the book of Hebrews Chapter 11 and instead of the Hall of Fame it would be called the Hall of Faith.

I thought that since this Hall of Faith doesn't get too much exposure (at least not like the various hall of fame's we know do) I would go ahead and list some of it's most early inducted honorees and what earned them their spot in there.

Abel - offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Enoch - was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Noah - when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Abraham - when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Even though he was past age and Sarah herself was barren he was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. When God tested him, he offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Isaac - blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

Jacob - when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Joseph - when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

Moses' parents - hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw the was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

Moses - when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

The People - passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.The walls of Jericho fell after the people had marched around them for seven days.

Rahab the prostitute - welcomed the spies and was not killed with those who were disobedient.

Others who are also listed are...

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated - the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith.

Now this is the type of Hall of Fame that I'm talking about!