In our previous post, we discussed faith in Gideon’s story. Here in Part Two, we discuss the remaining three individuals from Judges who are mentioned in Hebrews 11:32-34.

Faith in Barak’s Story (Judges 4-5). In Judges 4-5, Barak is not the character I would choose to illustrate faith. Much better examples, like I already mentioned, are found in the women Deborah and Jael. [1] Nevertheless, through feeble faith, Barak “conquered kingdoms,” especially the Canaanites led by Sisera and Jabin. Barak also “gained what was promised” as he experienced the fulfillment of God’s word (given through the prophetess Deborah). Barak also “escaped the edge of the sword,” and we could infer that he “became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” So, it is true that Barak exhibits some faith.

However, Barak was reluctant to cooperate, and he went his own “way” by requiring some assurances from God (Judg 4:6-9). [2] Like Gideon, Barak presented his own terms to God by making a “deal” with Deborah. Barak hesitated to trust and obey God’s orders. He hesitated to take leadership when he should. So, we conclude that faith is present in Barak’s story — he certainly believes that God exists (cf. Heb 11:6). He just has a reluctant faith, a faith that’s mixed with doubts.

Faith in Samson’s Story (Judges 13-16). Through feeble faith, Samson “conquered kingdoms,” or at least started to conquer the Philistines (Judg 13:5, 25; 16:19, 22). He “administered justice” because God brought justice through him for 20 years (Judg 15:20; 16:31; cf. Judg 14:4). He “shut the mouth of lions” when he slew a man-eating lion by the power of the Spirit (Judg 14:5-7). Samson “escaped the edge of the sword” on multiple occasions (Judges 14-16). His “weakness was turned to strength” when, as a shackled and blinded man in Gaza, he destroyed Dagon’s temple, killing thousands by his own death (Judges 16). Indeed, he “became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies” when God’s Spirit rushed on him.

However, Samson had shallow faith. [3] He was ignorant about God’s teaching (torah) and he was apathetic about his sacred identity. He did not live in accordance with his Nazirite status, and he identified more with the Philistines than with the Israelites. Samson was a narcissist driven by self-interest, self-gratification and revenge. He was a solo act who did what seemed right in his own eyes (Judg 14:3). In the book of Judges, Samson’s long cycle may represent the worst example of faith. [4] He was a theist, yes, but Samson’s story displays the general problems with Israel at that time: they “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (13:1 NIV). The bottom line is that Samson had a fool’s faith — far from an inspirational story.

Faith in Jephthah’s Story (Judges 11-12). Through feeble faith he “conquered kingdoms,” namely the Ammonites. He “administered justice” for six years (Judg 12:7), i.e., God brought justice through him (or despite him). Evidently, Jephthah “escaped the edge of the sword…, became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies,” but this was credit to God’s Spirit — not to Jephthah (Judg 11:29).

The problem is that Jephthah’s theology was syncretistic (his worldview was like his polytheistic neighbors), and he tried to manipulate God by making a foolish vow, which resulted in the sacrifice of his own daughter (Judg 11:30-31, 39). [5] So, we see that Jephthah had some modicum of faith in God (notice his religious talk in 11:9, 11, 21, 23-24, 27; 12:3), but sadly, he misunderstood God, he was ignorant of God’s teachings (in the torah), and he terrorized God’s people. Like Gideon, Barak and Samson, Jephthah had a feeble faith.

So much for my judging of the judges! Now I want to be more constructive and talk about faith in our stories today. First, offer some thoughts about feeble faith. It’s not about the quantity of our faith; it’s about the Object of our faith. Faith can be feeble, small, imperfect, incomplete and messy. But our faith is not about us; it’s about God. Mustard seed faith is sufficient to move mountains. Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matt 17:20 NIV; cf. Matt 13:31-32). His point is that we all have feeble faith. Our faith is not quantifiable or measurable. Nobody has enough faith because faith in God is not quantifiable. Remember that “With God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26 NIV), and God’s power is immeasurable.

Second, I offer my reflections on the phrase “administered justice” (Heb 11:33) or on being agents of God’s justice. It’s better to be actively engaged in doing God’s justice than to be passively employed as God’s agents. [6] God is the ultimate Judge who brings justice, and God administers justice by his Spirit whenever and wherever he wills. But ideally, we should maintain a posture of awareness and expectation to be used by God. This kind of faith is a relationship with God, not a negotiation or a transaction. It’s a life that is in step with the Spirit (to use a phrase from Gal 5:25). So, let’s be active agents of God’s justice, not inadvertent agents.

Third, we might reflect on our own stories. May it be said of each of us that through faith she conquered kingdoms. Through faith he brought justice. Through faith she gained what God promised her. Through faith he shut the mouths of lions. Through faith, she quenched the fury of the flames. He escaped the edge of the sword. Her weakness was turned to strength. He became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Etc. May it be said of us that through faith, they fixed our broken water pipe. Through faith, they visited us when we were sick. Through faith, they brought us meals when we were hungry. Through faith, they gave us money when we were needy. Through faith, they gave us time and service when we were busy. Through faith, they helped us move into a new home. Etc. What more shall we say? We do not have time to tell about willing agents of God who live in step with the Spirit — those who exhibit mustard seed faith. We think God is pleased when feeble faith points people to Christ (cf. Heb 11:6; 12:1).

In summary, we suggest that in Hebrews 11, we have not so much the “Hall of Faith” but rather the “Hall of Feeble Faith.” The only real “hero” in this passage is Jesus himself. In the very next chapter, we are explicitly directed to fix “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” and to “consider him…” (Heb 12:2-3 NIV). The point in Scripture is never that we should be like (or not be like) the human characters. While many of these characters may have exhibited some measure of faith, the purpose (in reviewing their names here) is to point us to God so that we can conform to him (cf. Eph 5:1-2; Col 3:10). The proper way to imitate faithfulness is explained in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Paul says to follow his example “as” he follows Christ’s example. In other words, we should only be like Paul insofar as he is being like Jesus. We should view believers (past and present) as catalysts who point us to God.

Notes

[1] Because of this, I appreciate the painting by Salomon de Bray (from 1635) that places the women at front and center and places Barak in the shaded background. The painting is oil on panel at Museum Catherijneconvent in Utrecht, the Netherlands. See .

[2] For Barak’s feeble faith, see Way, Judges and Ruth, 41-43, 45-47, 54, 68. Also, Debbie Fulthorp suggests that God turned Barak’s weakness into strength (see (“Searching for Deborah: Why Did Barak Replace Deborah In Hebrews 11:32?,” Mar 16, 2016).

[3]  For Samson’s feeble faith, see Way, Judges and Ruth, 30, 115, 118-120, 122-127, 129-132, 136-141.

[4] See. Way, Judges and Ruth, 5-6, 115.

[5] For Jephthah’s feeble faith, see Way, Judges and Ruth, 30, 95, 97-99, 101-106.

[6]  See Way, Judges and Ruth, 126.