Aerial photo of clouds against a golden sunset

Letters to the Cloud of Witnesses archive (a journey through Genesis, Exodus and Judges)

In this series, I wrote twenty letters to each person in the “cloud of witnesses” named in Hebrews 11:1–32. It’s a journey through Genesis, Exodus and Judges. The people are:

  • Abel
  • Enoch
  • Noah
  • Abram (Abraham aged 80)
  • Sarah
  • Abraham (aged 140)
  • Isaac
  • Jacob
  • Joseph
  • Jochebed (Moses’s mother)
  • Moses (as a young man)
  • Moses (after the Exodus)
  • Joshua
  • Rahab
  • Gideon
  • Barak (and Deborah)
  • Samson
  • Jephthah (and his daughter)
  • David
  • Samuel

I write about how I encountered each of their stories, the questions I don’t yet have answered, and the things that I still wrestle with. In the process of writing these letters, I’ve grown a new appreciation of who each of them was as a person and what it might mean to embody their faith today.  

They can be read as short introductions to these biblical characters or as reflections for use in private or public worship. All posts have printer-friendly PDF and direct print options at the bottom.

Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash


Ewes and rams with black heads standing in a field looking at the camera in the evening light. Text: Faith, offering and voice: A letter to Abel Faith, offering and voice: a letter to Abel August 1, 2021 - What was it about what you gave, when you gave it, from the means you had, that meant that your offering was one of wisdom, humility and willingness?
Rows of brown rolled up paper, tied up with string with words over the top "The hidden life: a letter to Enoch" The hidden life: a letter to Enoch August 8, 2021 - The author of Hebrews mentioned you to highlight the importance of faith; if we don’t on some level believe God exists, we can’t search for him and come to him. 
White cloud across a dusty blue sky, over trees and mountains. The cloud has been lit up by the sun and a rainbow shines through it. Text: Commission, courage and completion: a letter to Noah. Faith in Grey Places Commission, courage and completion: a letter to Noah August 15, 2021 - The bit that always gets me is God closing the door of the ark. I dunno, I just find something sacred in that. That God completes.
Flaming torch against a black background with the words: What do you make of your younger self? A letter to Abram What do you make of your younger self? A letter to Abram August 29, 2021 - I have many questions. Do you ever look back to your younger self? Do you recognise yourself?
Yellow wall with small purple flowers growing up it. Text over the top: The story less told: a letter to Sarah The story never told: a letter to Sarah September 5, 2021 - Many have told your story. But not you.
House plant near a desk that holds up a white canvas with words from Micah 6:8 on them; the top of the canvas is out of shot but the words "walk humbly" are visible. Text over the top: The truth of worship: a letter to Abraham The truth of worship: a letter to Abraham September 12, 2021 - What did the LORD require of you?
Close up of a field of yellow rapeseed flowers in bloom, lit by the sun. Text over the top: Lasting words: a letter to Isaac. Faith in Grey Places Last(ing) words: a letter to Isaac September 19, 2021 - It’s no small thing that you knew your blessing would be more than just words.
An old man holds up a baby boy in his arms and the baby is smiling with delight. Text over the top: Our heart's desire: a letter to Jacob. Faith in Grey Places Our heart’s desire: a letter to Jacob September 26, 2021 - I wonder if you felt guilty when you heard that your first hope would be realised, that Joseph was indeed alive? 
Brown silhouettes of mountains against a yellow sky with a dark silhouette of a camel in the foreground. Text over the top: The witness of the body: a letter to Joseph. Faith in Grey Places The witness of the body: a letter to Joseph October 3, 2021 - For as long as your body was in Egypt, it testified to your faith. It made a statement to those who came after you that they couldn’t ignore or forget. 
Yellow reeds in a river. Text over the top: A mother's courage: letter to Jochebed. Faith in Grey Places A mother’s courage: letter to Jochebed October 10, 2021 - I don’t imagine it was easy to give Moses up, even if you knew he would have a future that you could never give him if he had stayed. Had you chosen a name for him? What was it?
Black and white photo of the head and shoulders of a young person, viewed from behind, attending a protest. They wear a backwards cap with the word “Freedom” on it. Text over the top: Passion and justice: a letter to Moses. Faith in Grey Places. Passion and justice: a letter to Moses October 17, 2021 - You were a person of faith, even when you were younger.
Manuscript of Hebrew text from Exodus 15. Text over the top: Trusting God's goodness: a letter to Moses. Faith in Grey Places Trusting God’s goodness: a letter to Moses October 24, 2021 - You know what I’d really appreciate right now? More of your faith.
Landscape of sand dunes with a trail of footprints at the side. Text over the top: To fight and be good: a letter to Joshua To fight and be good: a letter to Joshua October 31, 2021 - I like to think you were someone who didn’t love war, but was capable of waging it. And winning it.
Window in a stone wall with closed wooden shutters painted scarlet. Text over the top: Acting in the moment: a letter to Rahab. Faith in Grey Places. Acting in the moment: a letter to Rahab November 7, 2021 - I loved the feeling that you recognised what was coming and what you needed to do to save your family.
Close up of small clay jars. Text over the top: Jars of clay: a letter to Gideon. Faith in Grey Places Jars of clay: a letter to Gideon January 30, 2022 - If military power and might were the currency of faith, you’d be remembered for your conquests. But you’re not. 
Purple stencil graffiti of Princess Leia from Star Wars on a white wall with the text underneath 'FIGHT like a girl'. Text on top: The reward of victory: a letter to Barak and Deborah. Faith in Grey Places. The reward of victory: a letter to Barak and Deborah February 6, 2022 - At the end of the day, peace is its own reward. And it’s far greater than any personal glory we might gain in the fight to achieve that peace. 
Carved mural in a grey stone wall of a young woman and man in profile looking at each other and holding hands. Depicts Romeo and Juliet in an abandoned summer theatre. Text over the top: Passion and Power: a letter to Samson. Faith in Grey Places. Passion and power: a letter to Samson February 13, 2022 - Sometimes I find it hard to believe your story is anything other than a testosterone-fuelled adrenaline rush. 
Close up of wild daisies in bloom. Text over the top: Ending passivity: a letter to Jephthah and his daughter. Faith in Grey Places. Ending passivity: a letter to Jephthah and his daughter February 20, 2022 - I often wondered if it ever occurred to you to ask to be released from your oath.
A large film camera positioned opposite a small camera in a 'David vs Goliath' pose. Text over the top: Stories and pedestals: a letter to David. Stories and pedestals: a letter to David February 27, 2022 - Are you the hero or the villain? Because no one wants to say neither or both. 
Close up of a ceramic oil lamp burning against a muted background. Text over the top: Freedom to serve: a letter to Samuel. Faith in Grey Places Freedom to serve: a letter to Samuel March 6, 2022 - I love the fact that you served in the house of the LORD, even though you weren’t from the family of Aaron. 
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