Stoned, Sawn Asunder, Tempted and Slain Hebrews 11:37

The Hebrew writer gave examples of some people who had “faith” in God and yet suffered “cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.” In chapter eleven and verse thirty-seven of Hebrews, the writer shared how other people of “faith” “were stoned, were sawn asunder, were tempted” and “were slain with the sword” where we read:

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;

The verse begins, “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword:”. The writer began with the words, “They were stoned” which means “these people of faith were overwhelmed or pelted with stones in order to wound or kill them” “they were sawn asunder” or “sawed in two”, “were tempted” which means “tried as to whether a thing can be done, made trial of and tested for the purpose of ascertaining its quality, or what they think or how they will behave”, “were slain” or “killed or murdered by violent means” “with the sword” or “with a large knife, small sword, curved sword used for cutting or thrusting”. People who believed in God were “stoned, sawed in two, tested and killed by the sword”.

The verse continues, “they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;”. The writer added the words, “they wandered about” or “they strolled, vacillated and veered like vagabonds” “in sheepskins” which means “in outer robes or mantles which where made with the skin of sheep” “and goatskins” or “and the skins, hyde or leather of goats”; “being destitute” which means “coming behind, too late or tardily like those who are left behind in a race and fail to reach the goal and end of the race”, “afflicted” or “the pressed, compressed, troubled and distressed”, “tormented” which means “ill-treated, oppressed and plagued”. In addition to the troubles of the previously mentioned people of “faith”, there were other who “were as vagabonds with animal clothing as they were left behind, distressed and oppressed”.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see how these people of “faith” suffered for their belief in God. Sometimes we have the idea that all who believe in God should never have to suffer in this life or the next, but it just isn't so. These people were “stoned, sawed in two, tried and tested, killed with the sword and wandered in animal clothing like vagabonds who were “destitute, afflicted” and “tormented”. God desires for us to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and not all who do shall have an easy time in this life. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Regardless of what our circumstances and situations may be, we can have “faith” in God that He will eternally “overcome” them all. We may suffer as these referred to by the Hebrew writer, but in the life to come, we shall be saved.

Next time the writer shares how “the world was not worthy” of these people of “faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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