Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours. (The Message).

Here is the bottom line: none of these heroes of faith fully entered into what they were expecting during their lifetimes. They all died knowing there was something more. Now that Jesus has come, we are experiencing the fulfilment of so many of their longings. But along with them, we also. are still looking forward to the heavenly city and the better country.

Tom Hale expresses this well, in his characteristically clear style:

‘None of these Old Testament heroes of faith received what had been promised. A number of them obtained some promises, but none of them received the one great promise – that is the promise of a Saviour. None of them saw that day when God’s Son Jesus came to earth. God’s greatest promise to mankind is the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ. But in their own lives on earth, none of these Old Testament heroes obtained that promise.

However, these Old Testament men of faith will one day be made perfect; that is, they will receive full salvation just as we will. When Christ comes again, these Old Testament heroes, together with us who have believed in Christ, will be resurrected and receive eternal life.’ ‘Applied New Testament Commentary’, p.877.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (New International Version).