Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
These cross references all relate to Hebrews 11:33 in that they all demonstrate how faith can lead to powerful and miraculous outcomes. Through faith, the characters in these stories conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, and even stopped the mouths of lions. They all demonstrate how faith can give us strength and courage to face seemingly insurmountable odds and how God can use our faith to accomplish great things.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Judges 14:5-6: Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. | Both passages demonstrate the power of faith. In Hebrews 11:33, faith is seen as a source of strength to conquer kingdoms, enforce justice, obtain promises, and even stop the mouths of lions. Judges 14:5-6 shows a specific example of this power when Samson, filled with the Spirit of the Lord, tears apart a lion with no weapons in his hand. This story serves as a reminder of the strength that comes from faith in God. |
| 2 Samuel 5:4-25: David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David's soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” | Both passages refer to the same event in the life of King David—the taking of Jerusalem from the Jebusites. Hebrews 11:33 describes David's faith-filled conquest of kingdoms, including Jerusalem, while 2 Samuel 5:4-25 gives a more detailed account of how David and his men took the city. In particular, it mentions the Jebusites' attempt to keep David out by saying "the blind and the lame will ward you off," and David's response to this challenge. |
| Psalm 144:1-2: Of David. Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. | Both passages refer to the power of faith to overcome obstacles. Hebrews 11:33 speaks of the faith of the Old Testament heroes who, through their faith, were able to conquer kingdoms, enforce justice, and even stop the mouths of lions. Psalm 144:1-2 speaks of the power of faith to overcome enemies and protect us from harm. It praises the Lord for being our rock, our love, and our deliverer, and for subduing our enemies under us. |
| Daniel 6:20-23: As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. | Both passages speak of being delivered from the mouths of lions. In Hebrews 11:33, it is said that through faith, kingdoms are conquered, justice is enforced, promises are obtained, and mouths of lions are stopped. Daniel 6:20–23 tells the story of how Daniel was delivered from the lions when the angel of God shut their mouths. Daniel's trust in God is highlighted in the passage, which is an example of the faith mentioned in Hebrews 11:33. |
| Hebrews 11:4-8: By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. | Both passages in Hebrews 11 speak to the power of faith. The first passage speaks to the accomplishments of those who have faith, such as conquering kingdoms and stopping the mouths of lions. The second passage speaks to examples of faith throughout the Bible, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham. These examples demonstrate the power of faith in action, such as offering a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, being taken up so as not to see death, constructing an ark, and obeying a call to go to a place not yet known. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness and Your power. We thank You for the examples of faith from Your Word, from Abel to Abraham, from Enoch to Noah, and from David to Daniel. We thank You for the courage of these men, who trusted in You and conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, and even stopped the mouths of lions.
We pray that You would give us the same kind of faith. We pray that You would give us the courage to step out in faith, to trust in You, and to obey Your call. We pray that You would give us the strength to stand firm in the face of opposition and to remain faithful. We pray that You would give us Your wisdom and Your guidance, so that we can follow Your will for our lives.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.