Category: Christian Leadership

Rahab, the last person the author of Hebrews talks about in any detail in his gallery of faith heroes, is the one who seems least likely to be included in the list.  For one thing, she was a woman. In the Jewish culture from which the book of Hebrews emerges, men were usually picked first as models of holy living.

In addition, Rahab was a non-Jew (a Gentile).  Why would a Jewish teacher writing to a Jewish audience pick a non-Jewish example of fearless faith?  But the main reason she seems least likely to appear in Hebrews 11 is that she was a prostitute.  Notwithstanding all of that, Rahab demonstrated outstanding trust in God with a remarkable act of courage.

Rahab’s story reminds us that no one—not even our enemy, as Rahab originally was to the Israelites—is beyond God’s reach.

Click here to learn more about Faith from Rahab

Isaac’s name first appears in the “Hall of Faith” (Hebrews 11) in the context of God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice him.  Isaac was not a young boy when this incident occurred. He was a young man, who could have easily overpowered or run away from his 100-plus-year-old-father.  Instead, Isaac submitted to Abraham. And he would certainly remember God’s provision of a ram that died in his place for the remainder of his days!

Isaac learned that the Lord can be trusted to keep His promises even in what may appear to us as a hopeless situation. These lessons equipped Isaac to believe God even when he thought all hope was gone.

We need to place our future in God’s hands.  That doesn’t mean we don’t plan and pursue our dreams, but we place those dreams on the altar and willingly offer them to God. We yield our future to God in faith, confident that he will keep his promises to bless us even if it means the sacrifice of our “Isaac”—our dearest relationship or dream. We live in obedience to God and trust Him to work in the situations of life to accomplish what He desires.

Click here to learn more about Faith from Isaac