It is hard to think of a Bible hero who had no political influence. Most were leaders or they influenced leaders. All obstructed evil political forces, at great personal risk of the ultimate sacrifice, which many paid.
Abel, Heb 11:4 ? Enoch, 11:5 ? Noah, 11:7 ? We do not know the political influence of these men.
Abraham (Heb 11:8) Mighty Prince Qualifications as holding worldwide political power: he defeated the 4 kings who had defeated the 5 kings, Genesis 14; King Abimilech and his court were “sore afraid” of him, Genesis 20:8; Pharaoh restrained himself from taking from him, Genesis 12:14-20; neighboring nations regarded him as “a mighty prince among us”, Genesis 23:6.
Sarah (Heb 11:11) Wife of a “mighty prince”Isaac (Heb 11:20) Mightier than a King “...thou art much mightier than...” King Abimelech. Genesis 26:16
Jacob (Heb 11:21) terror to “all the cities round about” “...all the cities round about...” Jacob were afraid to pursue him. Genesis 35:5. Joseph (Heb 11:22) Defacto world ruler Genesis 41:1-50:26Moses’ parents (Heb 11:23) defied government “Not afraid of the king’s commandment”; their civil disobedience to their government is an example of faith for us. They risked the wrath of the law to do right, and invaded the King’s very family.
Moses (Heb 11:24) ruler, conqueror Ruler of Israel, spoiler of Egypt which had been the dominant world power, grandson of Pharaoh (Exodus 2:10), conqueror of the following nations: Amalek (Exodus 17:8-13), Sihon, King of the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-24), King Arad (Numbers 21:1-3), Edom (Numbers 20:17-21), and “Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon” (Numbers 32:3)Rahab (Heb 11:31) counterspy Betrayed her own government, married a prince. Eastman’s Bible Dictionary says “She afterwards became the wife of Salmon, a prince of the tribe of Judah (Ruth 4:21; 1 Chr. 2:11; Matt. 1:5).”
“...Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:” (Heb 11:32) Political Leaders of Israel, military conquerors, prophets to kingsConfronting (lobbying) Governments is our example of faith
After listing several Examples of Faith by name, Hebrews’ Hall of Faith lists the fates of many unnamed heroes of faith, and almost all of those fates are the consequence of correcting (“lobbying”) a government which decides it would rather not hear correction. “Tortured”, v. 35; “scourged”, “imprisoned”, v. 36; “sawn assunder, slain with the sword, afflicted, tormented”, v. 37; all these are punishments given out by governments to “prophets” (as the Bible calls them; “lobbyists” is our word for people who regularly appeal to lawmakers). Even stoning, although it sometimes seems as if it can be mob rule, is supposed to follow a judicial proceeding by the Sanhedrin according to Josephus, Antiquities 14.9.3.
Our examples of faith “wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth,” v. 38, fleeing from what? From governments.
The accomplishments of faith, v. 33-34, were mostly political accomplishments: They “subdued kingdoms ...waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies....” They “wrought righteousness”, meaning, according to the reforms urged by the prophets, national revival which included legal reforms and ending corruption in court. They “stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,” referring to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and David when he confronted Goliath. All these were protected by God from the governments which they confronted.
Women receiving their dead back to life is the only example of faith by people without political power, and even one of those three was the wife of a ruler of a synagogue (Mark 5:35-43).
Political Leaders/Activists Not
mentioned in Hebrews:
Job, world
ruler, Job 29; all the Judges, Kings, prophets
(prophets all spoke to political rulers); Ezra,
governor of Jerusalem, who had almost a blank check from the world
ruler (Ezra 7:21-22); Nehemiah, world
emperor’s cupbearer (Nehemiah 1:11) and governor of Israel;
Esther, world emperess. Jesus
routinely challenged the Sanhedrin’s officials. Paul
was excited about witnessing to the Palace, Phil 1:13. The apostles
witnessed around the world until they were slain by governments.
Jonah 3:4 says his message was that Ninevah would be overthrown in 40 days. Definitely a message that would concern the King. v. 6 says “word came unto the king of Ninevah”. The reason the people repented, v. 5, was because the King proclaimed repentance, v. 7. It is not known whether Jonah directly spoke to the king, but with a message like that, everyone knew it would reach the king, and that most kings, upon hearing messages about their own overthrow, would quickly and cruelly kill the messenger.
Mary and Joseph hosted “wise men”, who had considerable political influence judging from their treatment by Herod. Mary and Joseph obstructed Herod’s murderous intentions by fleeing the king’s soldiers.Lazarus was the subject of a murder contract by the Sanhedrin, John 12:10-11. Martha was his sister.
Most of the martyrs in the Bible, and down through the ages, were tortured and murdered by governments; and the few who were murdered by mobs were encouraged by their governments.