Hebrews 11:30-31 ESV

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

REAL FAITH TRANSFORMS.

For Rahab, as a former prostitute, being included in the hall of faith list is quite strange. And, even more, when we see her name as the mother of Boaz in the genealogy of Christ. [see Matt 1:3] Obviously, the grace of God is highlighted in and through her life for believing God. Surely, God forgives and forgets.[Heb 10:17]

As Jericho’s wall fell down by mere encircling of Joshua and his armies, so astonishing also was the turn around of Rahab’s faith and loyalty. Her faith comes by hearing about what God did as she testified in Jos 2:10-11, that is,” For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.”

The Spirit using the word of God can transform lives. [ Rom 10:17, Eph 6:17] The Sprit can convict a hardened heart as Rahab to turn it 180 degrees. Thus, she risked to help in favor to the spies. Thereby, she betrayed her own people and their gods. A true repentance was demonstrated, wasn’t it?

As a result of her genuine faith, she and her household were spared from the destruction. All the sections of the wall crushed down except theirs. Why? Rahab had trusted God by obeying the instruction of the spies to hang a red cloth or cord at her window. As the angel of death had spared his judgments when he saw the blood at the doorposts, so God had spared Rahab also because of the red cloth or cord at her window.

Thank God for Jesus’ blood. For, it is our assurance of forgiveness and salvation. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” [Rom 8:1] Like Rahab, true believers should genuinely “turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” [1 Thess 1:9,10]

The past doesn’t matter for God won’t remember anymore. Instead, He transforms the genuine believer to be His honor.

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Hebrews 11:23-29 ESV

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

FAITH AND COURAGE.

Moses was born in a difficult regime in Egypt when Hebrew male infants had to be put to death. [Ex 1:22] Yet, his parents defied Pharaoh by hiding Moses until they could not any longer. The reason is that they saw Moses as a beautiful child, that is ‘he was lovely in the sight of God.’ [see Acts 7:20]. Certainly, their faith was honored as they placed him in a basket to float downstream at the river Nile. The Egyptian princess who fell in love when she saw the baby crying was God’s working. It was far from being a product of chance.

Christian parents today, likewise, should look at their own children as goodly. And, they should not allow the world to define their identity and destiny. By faith, they should take courage to harness the potential of their children.

Moses, like his parents, was exceptionally courageous too. Between the best of the world and the worst in pursuing God, he chose the latter. Rather than choosing to enjoy the pleasures in Egypt, he chose to be mistreated with the people of God. The reproach of Christ is far greater than the treasures in Egypt. Faith looks what is felt and seen at the moment from eternity’s perspective.

“As with Abraham and Moses of old, the decisions we make today will determine the rewards tomorrow. More than this, our decisions should be motivated by the expectation of receiving rewards.... The emphasis in the Epistle to the Hebrews is: "Don’t live for what the world will promise you today! Live for what God has promised you in the future! ..."[by W. Wiersbe]

In v.27, Moses has had his exceptional moments with God like the burning Bush experience, but it was his daily fixed upon God that nurtured his faith and courage. From being timid, by faith Moses became fearless before Pharaoh. His faith in keeping of the Passover was his assurance from the judgment of God. He did not budge in from Pharaoh’s threats and intimidations until their ultimate victory and deliverance at the crossing of the Red Sea. As Spurgeon has said, “There you have the difference between faith and presumption: faith goes through the sea, presumption is drowned in the sea.”

Our daily gaze at Him through His word will surely build our faith and courage likewise.

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Hebrews 11:20-22 ESV

20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

THE FAITH OF THE PATRIARCHS ISAAC, JACOB AND JOSEPH.

What is common among the three patriarchs is the strong beliefs that God’s blessings be granted unto their children, to wit; Isaac to Jacob and Esau; Jacob to the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh and Joseph’s wish for the next generation to settle back freely to their homeland. There is the expectancy that Jacob, though he was the younger, was blessed before the the eldest, Esau. It was the intention of Isaac to bless Esau not Jacob, though it was the will of God that he should bless Jacob. [Gen 27:18.] When he pronounced the blessing, he did it in faith and with finality. Thus, when he found out that it was Jacob, he did confirm it. [Gen 27:33] He even blessed Jacob after this. [Gen 28:1] As Solomon had said, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” [Prov 19:21]

Similarly, Jacob did the same to Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, when he blessed them when he was dying. Instead of blessing the firstborn, he blessed the younger Ephraim, not Manasseh. After all his life and family’s schemings and shambles in the early years, Jacob and his whole clan were united in Egypt. Indeed, “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning” [Ecc 7:8a] Jacob was seen at the tail end of his life worshiping God, even when leaning on his staff.

Joseph, on the other hand, did not content himself to be buried in Egypt, the place where he found comfort, riches and power. He covenanted with his people that his bones be brought to the promised land someday. This had shown that he had forgiven and let go of the pain he experienced when he was young. He believed there will come a time that his clan would settle back in Canaan, as the fulfilment to God’s covenant to Abraham. Whatever success they have had in Egypt, they will be always a foreigner in Egypt and temporary.

Similarly, we are pilgrims in this world, are we not? [1 Pet 1:1]. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” [Phil 3:20-21]. Thus, for having “been raised with Christ, let us seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And, set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” [Col 3:1,2]

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Hebrews 11:17-22 ESV

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

AN ULTIMATE TEST OF FAITH.

Abraham has had a lot of tests in his journey with God since he left Ur of Chaldees. In many instances, he failed God. And as expected, he suffered the painful consequences. Yet through all these, God was faithful unto His covenant to him. Thereby, Abraham grew in his faith, even gradually but steadily.

Therefore, Abraham, as our father of faith, has had developed his trust unto God as God has continued to show His faithfulness unto him day by day. Our faith grows as our knowledge or experience with God grows. It’s not how strong our faith is but who, we place our faith. Our faith can be as small as a ‘mustard seed.’ But, if it is placed on God, miracles can happen.

It’s quite a feat of faith for Abraham to believe God and His seemingly irreconcilable promise and demands. How could Abraham be a father of multitude as God promised if his only son Isaac be offered as a burnt sacrifice? God’s command and promise are in a stalemate. But, for Abraham God had deserved his trust. Abraham had believed God could raise Isaac back to life. That is, he had considered in his heart before that climb to the mountain that Isaac is already dead. His resolved made him obey immediately without reservation. In fact, Abraham had considered it as an act of worship. When Abraham saw the place from afar, he said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” [Gen 22:5]

Like Abraham, anyone who exercises of true faith does not necessarily need any explanation. A skeptic once mockingly asked a faithful believer, saying, “If your God will ask you to bump your head against a cement wall, you will still obey?“ Unhesitatingly. He answered, “My business is to obey. God’s part is to provide the way.”

There was no second thought for Abraham. He lifted his hand with the knife to slay his son as an offering. If not for the angel, Isaac won’t be alive and had become a burnt sacrifice for God. Why did Abraham did it? He loved God more than his son. One does gave up something only for somebody, who he loves most, doesn’t it? The angel of the Lord had confirmed it by saying, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” [Gen 22:12]

We truly prove our love for God if we can give up our most cherished possession for Him.

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Hebrews 11:8-12 ESV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

DO CONSIDER GOD FAITHFUL WHO HAS PROMISED.

Just because we don’t know the place or thing won’t nullify the truth about the reality of it. When God promised Abraham to go to a place God gave him as his inheritance, he packed all and left all at once bringing with him everything he needed. According to Morris, "Abraham"s faith accepted God"s promises and acted on them even though there was nothing to indicate that they would be fulfilled."

He perseveringly moved forward, putting up and packing his tents as he journeyed. And even in the promised land he continued to live in tents. Isaac and Jacob were greatly influenced by him to live similarly as him. Why? More than a literal place, he was pursuing toward a celestial city. As pilgrims in this world [1 Pet 1:1], all believers like us should look for such a habitation as well, namely, the New Jerusalem, should we not? ( Revelation 21:1; Revelation 21:9-27).

In the same manner, his wife Sarah, though the weaker vessel and at first doubting, received strength to conceive even though she was already of past age. She ceased to doubt and was convinced later. And considered God faithful who had promised.

This is the key.

The promise is as good as the integrity of the promiser. And, as God has revealed to Balaam, who said, “God is not man, that he should lie,

or a son of man, that he should change his mind.

Has he said, and will he not do it?

Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” [Num 23:19]

The fulfilment of God’s promise may be delayed. But, surely it will never be denied.

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Hebrews 11:7 ESV

7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

PORTRAIT OF OBEDIENCE.

God has admonished Noah about a universal deluge that would wipe out the world’s sinful population. Thus, in reverential fear, he constructed the ark according to God’s design and specifications. His was not a slavish or servile fear but as an obedient worshiper, who recognized his awesome God.

He was a preacher of righteousness. [2 Pet 2:5] However, as Jesus lamented of the hardness of hearts in His time, He recognized that this generation before His coming again will be as the time of Noah. He said, “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark.” [Matt 24:37-38]. No wonder God had said to that generation, “Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” [Gen 6:3]

Noah has preached faithfully for many years but it can’t be more than 100 years. According to Jack Kelly of gracethrufaith.com, “The context of Genesis 6 is judgment so it’s much more likely that God was giving mankind 120 years before destroying them. Finally, Genesis 7:6 shows the flood beginning when Noah was 600 years old. Therefore, sometime between his 500th and 600th birthdays, God informed Noah He was going to destroy mankind with a flood and told him to build an ark so he and his family would be preserved through it. If his sons were old enough to be married when God called Noah to build the ark, as Genesis 6:18 indicates, then Noah couldn’t have spent anywhere near 100 years preaching about the coming judgment.”

Sadly, nobody had believed his message except his family. The world’s rejection to his message became their condemnation. Rejecting the light that could have enlightened them had blinded them instead. Everyone else had perished in the flood.

Like Noah, our role is to be faithful and obedient. Regardless of the result, we must not dilute the message of the gospel. We have no power to change sinner’s hearts except that they must hear the truth clearly from us. For “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” [ Rom 10:17] Like Paul who said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”[ 1 Cor 3:6,7]

Have we been discouraged for seeing no results in our ministries over the months or years of faithful service? Noah just persevered as Moses and Isaiah did. Moses obeyed God despite being told that He will harden Pharaoh’s heart.[see Ex 7:3]. Isaiah had obeyed God despite to what God had said that is;

“ And he said, “Go, and say to this people:

“‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;

keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’

Make the heart of this people dull,

and their ears heavy,

and blind their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed.” [Isa 6:9,10]

“God knows what He is doing. Thus, let us just be obedient to Him."

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Hebrews 11:5-6 ESV

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD.

Most people I know have expressed their beliefs towards Christ. However, these beliefs are spread over in a wide spectrum. Either, one is a professing believer or a possessing believer of Christ. Jesus lamented for the professing believers by saying, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” [Matt 7:21]

However, there are possessing believers, who have genuinely received or trusted Jesus in their hearts. [ see John 1:12] They are the true believers. Are you? But, we should note that having been related with Christ, we should strive to please Him everyday. Our example is Enoch.

Enoch was commended for ‘walking with God’, a metaphor of consistent and persevering journey with God against all odds. Amazingly, God took him without facing the reality of death. What was in his faith that pleased God?

Firstly, he believed that God is, that is, God exists. Secondly, he believed God is a rewarder to him who sought Him. Jude had corroborated this, when he said, “ It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones.” [Jud 1:24]

He faithfully proclaimed to others God. And that God will come into this world victoriously. He believed a majestic God surrounded by innumerable host of angels. No wonder, he had walked with God steadily. His unfeigned belief of his personal God has determined his unwavering walk with God.

Like Enoch, do you and I believe that God is as revealed in His words? And as such, do we believe that He is our rewarder, that we are going to wait and hope upon Him to fulfill His promises? May God help us to develop such pleasing faith to God as Enoch.

It’s not just enough that we have faith in Christ unto salvation. But, let us walk by faith to please Him day by day. For, as believers, we walk by faith and not by sight. [2 Cor 5:7]

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Hebrews 11:4 ESV

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks

A QUIET WORSHIPER OF GOD.

Abel, as a simple and quiet shepherd, had continually offered a pleasing sacrifice from the firstborn of his flock. God’s favor was evident that it had caused envy of his brother Cain, whose sacrifice wasn’t accepted by God. Thus, the unimaginable happened for he murdered his brother. What Solomon had said is true indeed, that is, “Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Although his life was cut short, Abel is listed as the first being commended of his faith. Other than being depicted as one who has offered a better sacrifice than Cain, we don’t have much information about him.

Like Abel, most of us are living as an ordinary believer quietly doing our routines or chores f life. But, this doesn’t mean that we are of lesser importance for just ‘tending our sheep’, that is having a lowly job. By God’s grace, let us strive to emulate Abel. What are the lessons we can learn from his simple faith.

Firstly, it’s being faithful in little things. Like him, we might be doing things before people. What is special in washing clothes or cleaning the house? Yet, Jesus has said, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” [Luke 16:10]. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” [1Cor 10:31] Thus, there is no trivial things before God if we do it faithfully for His glory.

And secondly, it’s being faithful to do the right things. Perhaps, Cain was sincere but it wasn’t right. There is no remission or forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood. [Heb 9:22] Our simple obedience to His will matters to God. And, He disdains any sacrifice no matter how grand like King Saul’s sparing the fatted lambs for sacrifice when he was supposed to kill everything.

Thirdly, let’s be faithful by being consistent. Without fanfare, Abel had quietly tended his flock daily. As the Lord blesses us, let us not fail to offer our offering of praise and thanksgiving unto Him.

Thus, today let us be reminded. That, there is no ordinary life before God if the little but right things we do are done faithfully and consistently for His glory.

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Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

THE EXERCISE OF FAITH IS ESSENTIAL.

There are things that are imperceptible. But, that doesn’t mean that they are not real. Man’s perceptions are certainly limited, and in a lot of instances, untrustworthy. Consequently, we have had struggles in making decisions in life if we don’t factor in faith. Thus, exercising faith is part of our normal lives, isn’t it? We trust the bus drivers when we board the bus, the baker when we eat our bread, the doctors and pharmaceuticals when we take our medicines, and many more.

The mention of many bible characters who believed God in this chapter is providing encouragement for us to follow suit. Thus they, having first received the witness of God, then having testified themselves have become "witnesses" to all others (Hebrews 12:1)

Faith is essential in understanding the origin of the universe. This includes all that exists in time and space, whether visible or invisible, present and eternal. This, we perceive with our spiritual intelligence, though we see neither Him nor the act as described in Genesis 1:1-31. The natural world confirms it when apprehended by faith. Paul has explained, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” [Rom 1:19,20]

God spoke and the universe came into existence. God made the world out of nothing, that, is not as in all things reproduced from previously-existing and visible materials. God doesn’t need a raw material to build upon. He is the Eternal God [the Self-existent One].

And amazingly, Christ is referred as this God. John says, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” [John 1:3] This was corroborated by Paul, when he said also,” 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”[Col 1:15-17]

Thus, faith upon God and His creative power is our foundation. Christianity is built upon and around believing in the God, who we do not see.

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Hebrews 10:32-39 ESV

32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For,

“Yet a little while,

and the coming one will come and will not delay;

38 but my righteous one shall live by faith,

and if he shrinks back,

my soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

HOLD ON.

These Christians had already suffered for Jesus, having been rejected from their Jewish community and perhaps being counted as dead. This came after they trusted in Jesus.

Being a Christian may mean to suffer for Christ.[ 2Tim 3:12] Like these Jewish background believers, their persecutions were struggles that came in many different ways. They were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations. “An allusion to the combats at the Grecian games, or to the exhibitions of gladiators at the public spectacles.” [ by Clarke]

They were companions of those who were so treated – including the writer to the Hebrews himself (you had compassion on me in chains). They also had faced economic persecution (the plundering of your goods).

How did they endure in such hardships?

A case in point is that they had faced these persecutions in the past, and had endured them well. Thus, they could take a look at these and be encouraged to keep standing strong in the future.

Moreover, they have to keep a heavenly perspective. Like them, discouragements may pose a danger of casting away tour confidence in Jesus and relapsing into the old, as they could go back to the Old Covenant. They, and we, have need of endurance to receive the promise of God after we have done the will of God. The toughest and most discouraging trials are when we are called to obey God’s will when the fulfilment of His promise seems so far away, is it not?. The reason why we need endurance. John Guzik says, 'Faithfulness during the time when the promise seems unfulfilled is the measure of your obedience and spiritual maturity.'

As James has said, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” [Jas 1:2-4]. We need to follow in the footsteps of the just who will live by faith, and endure to see the promise fulfilled.[see Hab 2:4, Rom 1:17] We will be those who endure on and gain the promise of God. We will not draw back into old traditions or into old life’s beliefs – or any other replacement for Jesus

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