Bible Reading Blog
“He Rescues and Delivers”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Hebrews 11.33b
The common theme in our reading this week is those who, by faith, stopped the mouths of lions. A short investigation through a biblical concordance shows that lions are frequently used as metaphors in the Old Testament. Their reputation is one of ferocity and danger. In scripture they are often used as objects of fear, destruction, and terror (see Psalm 7.1-2; 17.12; Proverbs 20.2; 1 Peter 5.8). When David was surrounded by Saul, he compared his situation to being “in the midst of lions” (Psalm 57.4; cf. 1 Samuel 22). In ancient times lions were used as a form of corporal punishment (Daniel 6.16). Even God described his punishment on the nations with lion imagery (Hosea 5.14; 13.7; Nahum 2.11-13). The presence of a lion is a force to be reckoned with.
And yet the writer of Hebrews puts simply that people of faith were able to stop the mouths of lions. This phrase immediately brings to mind the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. When the king banned prayer to other gods, Daniel immediately went home and prayer to the true God (Daniel 6.7-10). For his defiance, the king threw Daniel in the lion’s den. But God sent an angel to “shut the lions’ mouths (6.22), and Daniel was unharmed.
But this wasn’t the first time God stopped the lion’s mouth for people of faith. When attacked by a lion, “the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon [Samson], and he tore the lion in pieces” (Judges 14.6). In preparing to fight Goliath, God, David recounted that God allowed him to deliver his sheep from the mouth of the lions and would deliver his enemy in the same way (1 Samuel 17.34-37). Time and again, the power of God is shown to be greater than that of the lion.
Why do these things matter? King Darius seemed to understand when he brought Daniel out of the lion’s den. “[the living God] delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions” (Daniel 6.26–27). These events witness to God’s ability to save. As David would say to Saul, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion… will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17.36-37). There is no foe too great when compared to God. But more importantly, it is only by his power that people of faith can overcome the enemy.
We understand that Satan prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5.8). We are called resist him, but how? Being firm in faith knowing that his advances have not only been experienced by brethren throughout history but overcome by the power of God (1 Peter 5.9). We may have to suffer a little while (1 Peter 5.10), but God will rescue and deliver those who put their trust in him.
