Articles
The Faith of Moses
The Faith of Moses
By Derek Long
God chose Moses to be the individual who would lead
the children of Israel out of Egypt and through whom He would reveal His law for them. Moses is praised in Scripture as being the most humble man. Numbers 12:3 says, “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” Moses also serves as a great example to us of faithfulness throughout his life. The Hebrew writer spends considerable time speaking of Moses’ faith. The great leader of the Jews was a man of faith and these Hebrews should have the same spirit of faith which characterized Moses. Hebrews 11:23-29 describes Moses’ life of faithfulness in the following words, “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, no 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. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.” What are some lessons we can take from these great instances of faith in the life of Moses?
• Moses’ parents had faith which impacted the life of Moses. Moses did not hide himself when he was three moths but it was the faith of his parent which resulted in him being hid. Their faith caused them to fear God more than the king. They were willing to violate the command of the Pharaoh in order to do what God would have them do. Do you and I have the type of faith which is willing “to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)? Parents need to set an example of faithfulness which can then be imitated by their children (2 Timothy 1:5). Are we as parents living based upon faith? Our faith can have a large impact on our children.
• Moses reached a point in life where he needed to display faith himself. The text speaks of a time “when he became of age.” Moses at this point in his life had a decision he had to make. He had to decide whether to live for the “passing pleasures of sin” or for “the reproach of Christ.” Moses decided to side with the Lord. In our lives, which do we choose? Are we willing to suffer for doing what is right? Are we willing to give up what seems to be an enjoyable, comfortable, and pleasant life in order to live by our faith in God? Are we willing to reject the “passing pleasures” offered by sin realizing they are but for a moment? Are we focused upon an eternal reward more than momentary joy?
• Moses led the children of Israel to do things which only make sense if one has faith in God. The Passover, where blood was sprinkled on the doorposts and the lentil, in order
to have God spare the firstborn within the house. Looking at such an action from a human, fleshly point of view it would seem foolish. People might not see how it would work. Faith trusts in God’s instructions and follows through in obedience though. Passing through the Red Sea would look like something impossible to be done. Walls of water were standing on either side of the people as they passed through on dry land. However, can you imagine the faith it must have took to think God was capable of parting the Red Sea if you were Moses? Yet Moses followed God’s instructions and the Red Sea was parted. Can you imaging the faith it would take to think the walls of water will not just fall down and cover you up if you began to cross the Red Sea? Moses led Israel in these types of things which took great faith. Today people sometimes wonder how something like baptism is able to save a person from their sins. God’s word tells us baptism saves us (1 Peter 3:21) and faith in God
! requires us to trust Him and then do what He tells us to do.
Are we people who are living lives by faith as Moses and these other individuals of old mentioned in Hebrews 11 did?
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