The Champions of Faith
October 2, 2019
Commentary
Everyone is saved by simple faith but the victory of faith may only come through sacrifice. This was true of many of these Old Testament saints who the writer gives us as examples of faith. Abraham’s victory of faith cost him the sacrifice of Isaac, whom God demanded but graciously spared (vv. 17-19). Instead of taking his son, God gave Abraham a whole nation of descendants through Isaac. Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Isaac’s victory of faith involved his surrendering of will and desire for his favorite son Esau and he gave Jacob the blessing he intended for Esau (v. 20).
Jacob’s sons became the father’ of Israel’s 12 tribes. Jacob’s victory came when he wrestled at Penial and came out a victor, but a cripple for life (v. 21). Joseph’s victory was gained by being despised by his brethren (v.22). Moses’s victory came by renouncing his claim to the wealth of Egypt (vv 23-29). True faith helps us see beyond the grave.
When we trust God, we get what God can do; but when we trust ourselves we get only what man can do. The experiences of these Old Testament saints is proof that true Biblical faith means obeying God in spite of circumstances or consequences. God has spared us from the sacrifices these Old Testament saints were asked to make. However, He does ask us to surrender our bodies to His service, separate ourselves from the world and refuse to compromise with evil. He asks us to witness for Him, to study His Word and to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. It is such a shame that we are often unwilling to make even such small sacrifices.
Application
Material things should be the least satisfying of my rewards. My best and greatest rewards for the victories in this life await for me in eternity.
Hebrews 11:17– 29 (NET)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son. 18 God had told him, “Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name,” 19 and he reasoned that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense he received him back from there. 20 By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped as he leaned on his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions about his burial.
23 By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. 26 He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up.