Faith Exemplified (Hebrews 11:1-40): Part 3

The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph

“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones” (Hebrews 11:20-22, NKJV).

Despite being alluded to in the midst of these examples of faith, neither Esau, nor Manasseh, nor Ephraim is counted as one of them. They had the same opportunities and blessings but failed to rise to the occasion. Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, on the other hand, were enabled to accomplish great things and fulfill God’s purpose because their unyielding faith looked beyond immediate circumstances in anticipation of God’s promises (cf. Gen. 27:1-40; 48:14-20; 47:29-31; 50:24-25; Ex. 13:19; Josh. 24:32).

The Faith of Moses

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them” (Hebrews 11:23-28).

The faith of Moses was first exhibited by his parents (v. 23), Amram and Jochebed (Ex. 6:20). His mother is the second woman noted in this chapter of faith, who helped lay the foundation of the faith that Moses would demonstrate later in life.

Moses’ faith affected his decisions (vv. 24-26). He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses’ faith affected his priorities. He chose suffering rather than the temporary pleasures of sin, esteeming affliction (the same kind of abuse and rejection Christ would suffer) more valuable than earthly treasures.

Moses’ faith affected his emotional disposition (v. 27a). He did not fear the king’s wrath. His reliance on God engendered courage that was greater than his fears. Moses’ faith affected his resolution: he endured (v. 27b). Moses’ faith affected his behavior (v. 28). He was obedient to God’s revealed will.

“By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29).

Moses’ faith affected his leadership. The discussion of Moses’ faith smoothly transitions into a description of the Israelites’ faith under his capable, God-centered direction. Consequently, their fate was determined by their obedient faith, while the fate of the Egyptians was determined by the absence thereof.

The Faith of the Conquerors of Jericho

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:30-31).

The biblical account of the forty years of wilderness-wandering is passed over. These years were not characterized by faith but by rebellion and unbelief (cf. 3:16-19). The narrative resumes with the conquest of the land of Canaan. Jericho was not conquered by military force but by faith (cf. Josh. 6:1-21).

Rahab is the third woman highlighted in this chapter. She had more faith than the other Jericho inhabitants (cf. Josh. 2:11; Jas. 2:25-26). She did not perish with “the disobedient [ones]” [apeithéō];¹ faith and obedience are inseparably linked. Despite her sinful past, her obedient faith enabled her to be used by God as a contributor to the family tree that ultimately produced the savior of the world (Matt. 1:5).²

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ Not simply “those who did not believe” (NKJV; cf. mg. “disobedient”; NASB); see also 3:18-19; 4:6.

     ² See K. L. Moore, “The Lineage of Jesus According to Matthew,” Moore Perspective (3 Feb. 2013), <Link>.

Related Posts: Faith's Hall of Shame, Faith Exemplified Part 1, Part 2, Part 4

 

Image credit: https://www.dreamstime.com/activity-windy-mountain-weather-group-mountaineers-moving-harmony-towards-summit-mountains-image245499864 

For His Glory: Let my conviction be like Joseph’s

     He was a spoilt brat, a know-it-all teenager who made sure everyone else knew that he knew it all. He was a conceited, arrogant, self-centered, boastful, tattle-tale, who didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut and hadn’t yet developed the skills to win friends and influence people. Rather, he generated animosity and resentment, especially in his own family. To put it bluntly, he was a real jerk.

     Joseph was the favored and pampered son of the patriarch Jacob. Though he had everything on his side, so much going for him, and so much potential, he ended up alone in a deep, dark, damp, gloomy pit (Gen. 37:1-24).

Why do bad things happen to good people?

     On this occasion, Joseph pretty much brought it on himself. Sometimes we suffer because we make bad choices; we’re selfish, we don’t treat others with respect and dignity, and we end up dejected in the pit of despair. But these negative consequences we face due to our own immaturity and stupidity are not necessarily bad. Sometimes we need a wake-up call. We need the realities of life to kick us in the gut and help us realize that being a self-absorbed jerk is not the way we ought to be.

     It could’ve been worse. It was this dark, gloomy pit that saved Joseph’s life. And it began his journey toward maturity, developing integrity and character that would not only serve him well through life, but would be a blessing to so many others along the way.

     He ended up a slave in Egypt. For a Jewish boy separated for the first time from his family in a distant land, could it get any worse? Well, as a matter of fact, it could. And it did. Yet despite his dismal circumstances, the Lord was with Joseph, and the Lord blessed him (Gen. 39:2). Joseph rose to prominence as a servant in Potiphar’s house. He was finally maturing, and so was his faith. When cornered by Potiphar’s wife and offered the passing pleasures of sin, his unwavering conviction compelled him to respond: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9). And how was he rewarded for doing the right thing? Once again, he ended up in a dark, gloomy hole (v. 20).

Why do bad things happen to good people?

     Sometimes we suffer for righteousness’ sake because of the bad choices of others. But even in this dreary place in these miserable conditions, the Lord never left Joseph. The young man was blessed, and he prospered, and he was eventually delivered, once again rising to prominence. Yet there were more hardships to come. A seven-year famine hit, adversely affecting everyone throughout the region, including Joseph’s family in Canaan.

Why do bad things keep happening to good people?     

     Whether we have it all figured out or not, at least we know this: the adversities of life give the people of God the opportunity to be a beacon of hope, to be God’s instrument in blessing other people’s lives. Later Joseph would say to his brothers, “… for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5). Thanks to Joseph providentially being in the right place at the right time, despite the extreme challenges he faced along the way, and because of his resolute commitment to never give up on God who never gave up on him, multitudes survived the seven-year famine, including his own family, his father Jacob, his brothers and their respective families, preserving the seed-line of the promised Messiah in whom you and I now have everlasting hope.

     Why do bad things happen to good people? Sometimes it’s because we face the consequences of our own bad decisions and stupid actions. Sometimes it’s because we try to do what’s right and then suffer because of the bad choices of others. And every time, we are afforded opportunities as God’s children to be a blessing to our fellow humans who are lost and hurting. For His Glory: let my conviction be like Joseph’s.

--Kevin L. Moore

*FHU chapel talk 2nd March 2016, based on Gen. 37:1–50:26.    

Related Posts:

Related articles: Allen Webster's 13 Chapters & No Sin

Image credit: http://paolopunzalan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/pit.jpg