Why doesn't the Old Testament economy make much difference for the believers in Hebrews 11?
Those believers' placement in the Old Testament era makes little difference because the same God was working in them. Hebrews 11 describes God's choicest believers, not wicked or backslidden people. They quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were strengthened out of weakness, and endured torture without renouncing faith.
Les explains that Hebrews 11:34–35 is not describing wicked people or backsliders but God’s choicest believers. Even though they lived in the Old Testament economy, that does not make much difference because it is the same God. They quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens or unbelievers. On the other side, women received their dead raised to life, while others were tortured and did not accept deliverance, though they could have escaped by renouncing their faith. Les points to Fox’s Book of Martyrs and the early church’s horrible persecutions: believers mostly never flinched and went to their death singing hymns, just like Paul and Silas in Philippi.
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.