Connect Hebrews 11:35 with another biblical story of resurrection or deliverance. A snapshot of faith: Hebrews 11:35 “Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.” The Shunammite mother’s miracle (2 Kings 4:8-37) • A hospitable couple builds a small upper room for Elisha so he can rest during his travels (vv. 8-11). • Elisha promises, “About this time next year you will hold a son in your arms” (v. 16). The impossible happens; the woman conceives. • Years later the boy suddenly collapses in the field, is carried home, and dies on his mother’s lap (vv. 18-20). • Refusing despair, she saddles a donkey and hurries to Elisha, saying, “All is well” (v. 23). Her faith propels her forward. • Elisha arrives, prays, stretches himself over the child, and “the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes” (vv. 32-35). • Elisha calls the mother: “Pick up your son.” She bows in worship, then cradles her resurrected child (vv. 36-37). Parallels that stitch the two passages together • “Women received back their dead” (Hebrews 11:35) finds literal fulfillment in this mother who receives her living son from Elisha’s arms. • Both accounts highlight determined faith that presses past circumstances—she rides to Elisha; the Hebrews 11 saints endure torture “to gain a better resurrection.” • God’s power moves through human vessels: Elisha’s hands in 2 Kings 4, and the unnamed heroes in Hebrews 11. • Resurrection now foreshadows resurrection later: the boy’s restored life previews the ultimate, “better resurrection” promised to every believer (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Lessons pulsing through the narrative • God honors persistent, expectant faith—even when logic says the story is over (Mark 5:36). • Present miracles are never an end in themselves; they point to Christ, “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). • When God speaks a promise (2 Kings 4:16), He remains faithful to sustain it—even beyond death (Romans 4:17). • Suffering and deliverance walk hand in hand; one mother receives her resurrected child, while others in Hebrews 11 face torture—yet both groups stand under the same sovereign love (Romans 8:38-39). Other scriptural echoes of resurrection hope • Widow of Zarephath’s son (1 Kings 17:17-24) • Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:41-42) • Lazarus (John 11:43-44) • Christ Himself, “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20) • Believers’ future transformation: “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies” (Romans 8:11). Living it out • Celebrate the unchanging character of the God who revives dead hopes and dead bodies alike. • Ground your confidence in His revealed Word, trusting that every promise—whether for today’s need or tomorrow’s resurrection—is certain. |
    |