17When God tested Abraham, faith led him to offer his son Isaac. Abraham, the one who received the promises from God, was willing to offer his only son as a sacrifice.
18God had said to him, "Through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name."
19Abraham believed that God could bring Isaac back from the dead. Abraham did receive Isaac back from the dead in a figurative sense.
20Faith led Isaac to bless Jacob and Esau.
21While Jacob was dying, faith led him to bless each of Joseph's sons. He leaned on the top of his staff and worshiped God.
22While Joseph was dying, faith led him to speak about the Israelites leaving Egypt and give them instructions about burying his bones.
23Faith led Moses' parents to hide him for three months after he was born. They did this because they saw that Moses was a beautiful baby and they were not afraid to disobey the king's order. 24When Moses grew up, faith led him to refuse to be known as a son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to suffer with God's people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a little while. 26He thought that being insulted for Christ would be better than having the treasures of Egypt. He was looking ahead to his reward. 27Faith led Moses to leave Egypt without being afraid of the king's anger. Moses didn't give up but continued as if he could actually see the invisible God. 28Faith led Moses to establish the Passover and spread the blood [on the doorposts] so that the destroying angel would not kill the firstborn sons. 29Faith caused the people to go through the Red Sea as if it were dry land. The Egyptians also tried this, but they drowned.
30Faith caused the walls of Jericho to fall after the Israelites marched around them for seven days. 31Faith led the prostitute Rahab to welcome the spies as friends. She was not killed with those who refused to obey God.
32What more should I say? I don't have enough time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. 33Through faith they conquered kingdoms, did what God approved, and received what God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions, 34put out raging fires, and escaped death. They found strength when they were weak. They were powerful in battle and defeated other armies. 35Women received their loved ones back from the dead. Other believers were brutally tortured but refused to be released so that they might gain eternal life. 36Some were made fun of and whipped, and some were chained and put in prison. 37Some were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords. Some wore the skins of sheep and goats. Some were poor, abused, and mistreated. 38The world didn't deserve these good people. Some wandered around in deserts and mountains and lived in caves and holes in the ground.
39All these people were known for their faith, but none of them received what God had promised. 40God planned to give us something very special so that we would gain eternal life with them.
