Jan. 19, 2025
“LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT”
“FAITH’S UP’S AND DOWN’S”
HEBREWS 11:23-40
In the remainder of Hebrews 11, we see a sharp contrast between triumphs and tragedies that come to people of faith. By faith some experienced stunning victories- like Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and David. But there was never constant victory without struggle. In fact, this long list of believers throughout history, who are rightly commended for their faith, “did not receive what was promised” (11:39). Yet all endured both triumph and tragedy, deliverance and affliction, as they awaited a day yet future when all men and women of faith would finally be made “perfect” (11:40).
- Triumph’s Enjoyed By People Of Faith- Hebrews 11:23-35
- Moses- Faith Warring- Hebrews 11:23-29
Moses’ life began with an act of faith, by his parents:
Hebrews 11:23 “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.”
This faithfulness of Moses is illustrated by three key decisions he made:
- First, by faith Moses refused to go with the flow of a sinful society.
Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26. esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
Exodus 8:22 “And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land.”
- Second, by faith Moses left the familiar to venture into the foreign:
Hebrews 11:27 “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Exodus 2:14-15 “Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!” 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.”
- Third, by faith Moses was willing to swallow his pride and do the unusual:
Hebrews 11:28 “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”
How like God to test our faith by demanding from us what seems ridiculous!
- Moses Faith is Rewarded:
Hebrews 11:29 “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.”
- Joshua and Rahab- Faith Winning- Hebrews 11:30-31
Hebrews 11:30-31 “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”
Matthew 1:5 “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse.”
She was saved unto good works. True faith must always show itself in good works.
James 2:20-26
- Various Heroes of the Faith- Hebrews 11:32-40
Faith can operate in the life of any person who will dare to listen to God’s Word and surrender to God’s will. What a variety of personalities we have here!
Hebrews 11:32-35 “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again…”
The judges:
Gideon- a frightened farmer whose faith didn’t grow strong right away (Jud. 6:11-7:25).
Barak-won a victory over Sisera but need Deborah to help him (Jud. 4:1-5:31).
Samson-(Jud. 13-16).
Jephthah- (Jud. 11:1-12:7).
Then King David, and Samuel along with the line of prophets (vs.32).
After presenting this parade of faithful people, the author then presents a colorful listing of events illustrating great feats of faith (vs.33-35).
Hebrews 11:35-38 “…Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”
This second category is like a precipitous slide into the dark valley of seeming defeat. Let’s look at the two different outcomes form the faithful to see how they contrast:
Triumphs of the Faithful Tragedies of the Faithful
*Conquered kingdoms *Tortured
*Performed acts of *Endured mocking and
Righteousness scourgings
*Obtained promises *Experienced chains and
*Shut the mouths of lions imprisonments
*Quenched the power of fire *Stoned and sawn in two
*Escaped the edge of the *Tempted
sword *Put to death with the sword
*From weakness were made *Went about in sheepskins and
strong and goatskins
*Became mighty in war *Destitute, afflicted, and
*Put foreign armies to flight ill-treated
*Received back their dead *Wandered in deserts and
by resurrection mountains and caves and holes
In the ground
*Let’s Put Everything Into Perspective
Hebrews 11:39-40 “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”
Application:
*We must refuse to go with the flow of a sinful society.
*By faith we must leave the familiar to venture into the foreign.
*By faith we must swallow our pride and be willing to do the unusual.
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