"1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12: 1-2)
After reading the Hall of Faith in Chapter Eleven, the Author of Hebrews then tells us to look to Jesus, the Author, the Initiator as well as the Perfect of our Faith.
The context presented to us could not be clearer: faith is all about Jesus, all about what He has accomplished for us.
Now, the Old Testament saints endured rejection, privations, even death.
What they hoped for, we have.
"10Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1: 10-12)
What they believed for, we can believe in today.
"28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 28-29)
When we look at the Old Testament saints, we do not look for examples on how to live, but rather we look for Jesus:
"44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures," (Luke 24: 44-45)
and
"9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Corinthians 10: 9-11)
When Paul warns the Corinthians not to tempt Christ, he references specifically their not believing in God's goodness, or trusting Him to take care of everything, which He did in Christ:
"1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness." (1 Corinthians 10: 1-5)
When we read the Old Testament, let us see Jesus, who creates and perfects our faith.
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