Wherefore seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside . . . So, what does that mean? Well, it means something very beautiful. All these Old Testament saints mentioned in chapter 11 (there are many more, it is a long chapter) were to motivate these New Testament Hebrew Christians; that is what he is saying. If they walked by faith, while they did not even see the cross yet, and they endured all these tortures, and were destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy, and they lived by the promises, how much more should not you live by the promises, you New Testament Hebrew Christians! You can look back at the cross and rejoice in what Christ has done. Be motivated by the cloud of witnesses.

You see, he is putting the finishing touches on this painting he is painting for us. He is picturing the Hebrew Christians on the racetrack. Now, he is putting people in the stands, around the racetrack. This is of course is figurative. All the Old Testament saints are there. There is Abraham, there is Noah, there is Enoch. It is as if he is saying they are cheering you on. They are saying, We ran the race to the end, you can do it too. Keep running. But dear friends, we have got so many more people in our stands. Our stands are bursting with thousands of people. You do not only get hundreds and hundreds of Old Testament saints; we have got all New Testament saints. Have not the Old Testament saints kept you running sometimes? Motivated you?¹

Joel Beeke