Moses' Faith (part 2): A Seeing Faith

Opening:

Faith in faith is faith astray.

A. W. Tozer

By faith

Recap:

Abel: Faith will be rewarded and remembered by God.

Enoch: It is possible to walk faithfully with God.

Noah: Faith in God’s promises should leads us to reverently fearing our Creator.

Abraham (Called): Faith requires obedience.

Sarah: Trusting in God’s promises will lead to the impossible being possible.

The Patriarchs: Faith in God’s promises prepares you for the world to come.

Abraham (Isaac): We might not know what is going on, but we are to remain obedient and trust God because He will test our faith to expose the truth to us, if whether or not we are truly trust Him or not.

Isaac, Jacob, Joseph: All three teach us that faith can be passed on the next generation, and that we are to teach the younger generation through our actions and words that God is trustworthy.

Moses’ Parents: Faith in God will help us overcome the culture and stand up for what is right.

(Last week) Moses: We are to evaluate the promises of God and if they are trustworthy, which they are, we are to follow Him and associate with His people.

Introduction:

We can look at Moses life as three phases. The first 40 years, he thought he was somebody. The second 40 years, he spent learning that he was nobody. And he spent the remainder of his years appreciating that the Lord can use anybody.

The insightful truth that we can see through these verse talking about Moses in our chapter is that, he has a defining characteristic: He lived by faith. In spite of his shortcomings Moses was faithful.

He is set before us by the author of Hebrews and the Holy Spirit as an example worthy to emulate. Moses believed God’s promises concerning the Messiah. Just as we are encouraged to do.

Moses would experience forty years of waiting to accomplish the work that he had been called to do. Though it would be along time before he would be sent, he lived waiting on the Lord, because by faith, he lived seeing the Lord.

Family, we await the second coming of Christ. We waiting for the glories that are promised us in Christ. We can learn a lot from Moses this morning on how to faithfully wait and see the invisible.

If we are promised glory why are we allowed to experience intense spiritual warfare? Why do we have to wait for the salvation of our children, even though we intentionally raised them in the faith? Why do things fall apart after we have excepted Jesus as savior? Why are there frustrations and opposition when being obedient to God in our ministries?

We may struggle with these question true, but we learn from the life of Moses:

“Faith is not whistling in the dark, looking for a silver lining or a happy feeling. It is neither make-believe nor virtual reality, but it is courageous. It faces reality, grim reality at times, before obtaining promise; when it will be more than vindicated.”—Jones

Like moses, we need to remain steadfast in the faith, which requires that we see by faith. You see, saving faith is, in the end, also seeing faith. May God open our eyes to see today.

The Progress:

To really come to terms with “seeing the invisible” we are going to have to understand the stages in the development of Moses’ faith. It is important to note that saving faith is a gift from God. But we are called to be stewards of this faith.

Indoctrination:

Hebrews 11:23 NKJV

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.

Just as in our verse this morning Moses responded in the same manner as his biological parents, by faith.

“Famous men are usually the product of an unhappy childhood.”—Winston Churchill

This sentiment probably doesn’t quite apply to Moses. As we have studied Moses was raised for a season by his mother Jochebed until he was weaned. We are unsure of the exact length of time that he spend with his parents but it is probably safe to say somewhere between 2-3 years.

Moses’ parents probably knew that their time was short and limited. It is likely that they were intentional with the time they were given pouring into Moses’ life. Somewhere down the line their faith became his faith. I’m sure that they tried to instill in their son a vision of the glory of God.

“Moses learned faith the old fashioned way, from his parents.”—Phillips

The parents saw God’s purpose for their son. You can be sure that they did all they could to ensure that he would come to the personal realization of this as well. Likewise, we are called to raise our children to see God in every part of this world. Raising them intentionally and with intensity to know the Lord. Raising them to see spiritual realities. Praying that God does a work in their lives so that they can come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

One word of advice: Treat your children as extraordinary objects of God’s grace. You get to have them in your life, so raise them intentionally for Christ, God talks need to become everyday talks. The words of Scripture need to be our realities.

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 NKJV

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Parents and Grandparents: if you desire your kids to see you must see. We cannot be like the Pharisees, whom Jesus characterized as the blind leading the blind. Stop trying to add your own law to their lives too. Just keep the Scriptures as your plumbline.

Identification:

According to vv. 24-26, Moses came to the realization of his ultimate identification. He belonged to God and therefore he belonged to the God’s people. His identification called for a separation from his cultural identity.

That’s what it means to be a saint–holy–it means to be set-apart.

For nearly four decades Moses lived in the palace of Pharaoh, with all of it opulence. I’m sure he felt that nagging, the restlessness, that many of us felt or will feel, when we know that we are to give up something. To sacrifice it and to separate ourselves unto God.

Isn’t there such great freedom in that “Aha!” moment. When we realize what he had been doing is not what God wants from us and now it is up to use to make that change.

Many of us, probably, need to reevaluate what the world is trying to offer us and what is God offering us. The treasure that we will find in Christ makes it easier to turn down the passing pleasures of sin.

At some point for us and Moses, we are going to have to get off the sidelines and make a conscience decision of where we are going to find our value? In the things of God or the things of this world.

Corporate Identity:

I want to briefly touch on this concept of corporate identity: As Christians our identity with Christ is inseparable from our identity with God’s people.

John 13:35 NKJV

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Meaning being connected or plugged in your church is non-negotiable if you truly wish to honor Christ. A lone wolf mentality is dangerous, being isolated as a Christian you are more susceptible to the attacks of the enemies of God. {And no means for accountability.}

God designed the church to be a unite: Hebrews 10:24-25

Hebrews 10:24–25 NKJV

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

It is very important for each of us to understand that God works in our lives uniquely. Not all cost of faith are going to be the same. For example, Joseph was called to live by faith in the palace were Moses was living. While Moses was called to forsake the palace.

We can learn from this that God’s principles never change but the particulars of living those principles out will vary from person to person.

Some will be called to give up their wealth like the rich young ruler and other not like Zacchaeus. Some will need to give up relationships and practices while others will not. There is the issue of conscience too, over things like alcohol, music, etc. in which different believers will respond differently.

Family, we are called to walk as God leads, not necessarily as God leads someone else.

Implementation:

Verse 27 actually shows the implementation of Moses’ faith. In this verse we read of an essential action, which must always accompany the choice to identify with Christ: Moses, having decided, needed to carry out his decision.

Implementing is key. When we know what we are to do from the leading of the Holy Spirit and we choose to ignore James tells us that we are in sin.

For moses there was a bit of a snag. Moses, with this newfound realization and appreciation of his true identity, no doubt assumed that the Hebrews would recognise his call to be their leader.

Acts 7:23 NKJV

23 “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.

“to visit” episkapeo, meaning bishop. Meaning to give oversight to others. He assumed that what he saw so clearly would be clearly seen by them. He was in for a rude awakening.

Exodus 2:11–15 NKJV

11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why are you striking your companion?” 14 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.

Moses in all of his zeal joins his people, kills an Egyptian, ready to guide them. But...

Acts 7:25 NKJV

25 For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.

Moses quickly discovered that though his calling was correct, but the timing was not right. He was now known as the murderer of the Egyptian. And the people were not ready to follow.

Have you ever been in a similar position? Perhaps when you were first converted you were zealous to witness and had assumptions that everybody else would be as excited as you were.

There have been too many to count in my own life. And if you went through that you’ll understand that God doesn’t operate according to our timeframe. Turns out God isn’t as big a hurry as we are.

If you can relate there are some helpful lessons that this verse. But we will need to dig a little deeper.

The Preparation:

Moses’ faith was going to be further proven as he faithfully faced a crisis. This was necessary to prepare him for the work God called he to accomplish.

In his own recollection of events, Moses feared and said, ‘Surely this thing is known.’” He had a legitimate reason to be afraid. He was a wanted man.

Fearful or Faithful or Both?

It is at this point that we need to understand what the our author of Hebrews isn’t saying.

Verse 27 says, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.” Moses “forsook Egypt” on two occasions: first, when he fled to Midian, and second, when he led the Children of Israel in the Exodus.

There are a lot of people that hold to verse 27 implying that it is speaking of the Exodus. This morning I do not have time to go into why I don’t believe that to be the case, if you would like to discuss that after the service I would love to talk with you.

As I suggested, I believe that Moses forsook Egypt by going to Midian. Moses, though he feared the king, when to Midian motivated by faith. His faith was stronger than his fear. fear may have moved him initially, but faith maintained him inevitably. He was willing to go to Midian and to endure a 40-year wait because he really saw Him who is invisible.

People make superficial statements that become accepted principles. One of those is that fear and faith cannot co-exist. That is false, in fact, the reason that faith at times looks so remarkable is precisely because of the very real presence of fear. So it was with Moses.

So it was with the wise men, and with Joseph and Mary in Matthew 2. They had every reason to fear for Jesus’ life if Herod found Him, and so their faith in protecting Him looks all the more remarkable.

Again look at when Peter, James, and John left their nets to follow Jesus. When Isaiah answered the call to be sent by YHWH. Rahab hiding the spies. When Joshua was called to take the mantle of leadership from Moses. It is so for us too when we decided to follow Jesus. Fear of the unknown, yet by faith you followed Him. And that is what I believe our author is trying to get across.

Yes, there are real reasons to fear… But there is a greater reason to believe!

Illumination:

As believers how are we to persevere?

Preparation through perseverance requires illumination.

Moses left, believing God for a glorious future. But it would be another 40-years before that future would dawn. He would endure a hard and humbling existence by “seeing Him who is invisible.”

This is how we too will endure: by faith. By faith, our ears will turn in to eyes. As we hear God’s promises, as we hear the Gospel of Christ, we will persevere to the end.

There are going to be many challenges you will face or perhaps have already faced, and we are going to need to hear the promises of God and trust Him to see us through these events. Remember faith, is something that we get to be apart of this side of heaven. And we will be rewarded for it.

The Extraordinary as Ordinary:

I think to often I hear the comment “I could never be like [blank]. They really trusted God.”

“I personally believe that seeing ‘him who is invisible’ is not extraordinary. Rather, it is ordinary, normal Christianity. In fact, if you do not see the unseen, you are abnormal and below the divinely ordained norm.”—Hughes

Family this spiritual vision is actually the expectation for every Christian: This vision is of the invisible is looking to the author and finisher of our faith. The King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus

2 Corinthians 4:6–8 NKJV

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

The Need for Improvement:

Moses’ time in Midian prepared him. It humbled him (Exodus 3-4), which is always the first fruit of saving faith. He would need this humility if he would be strong and faithful leader.

Think of it like this: Moses had to leave Egypt. Because there was a temptation for arrogance, personal power, and self-sufficiency. He would need to be acquainted with God’s method (upside-down kingdom): the weak is strong and poor is rich.

40 years as a shepherd in the desert is exactly what Moses needed to prepare himself for the great task at hand. He needed to learn that he didn to have to be great for this task, he need to see that God was great. His vision of God needed to be strengthened. He needed more time to learn that God’s ways were way better then his own.

Ultimately he needed to learn that there can be no confusion over who secures the victory.

“We hence learn, that the true character of faith is to set God always before our eyes; secondly, that faith beholds higher and more hidden things in God than what our senses can perceive; and, thirdly, that a view of God alone is sufficient to strengthen our weakness, so that we may become firmer than rocks to withstand the assaults of Satan.”—John Calvin

Instruction:

This account would have greatly encouraged the original audience. They were faced with the wrath of Nero. They would face the sword of General Titus. Many of them would flee their homeland.

They would feel fear, but their faith in Christ would supersede their fear.

In Matthew Jesus told His disciples of the signs that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. He warned them to flee to the mountains when they saw the signs. Driven by faith, that is exactly what the Jerusalem Christians did. There is not a single account in historical records of a single Christian being killed in the destruction of Jerusalem.

Application:

So, family, how do we get this vision? We need the instruction of God’s Word. We need to heed it, and hid it in our hearts.

One of my favorite quotes:

“We live in a time of hearing, not seeing… Faith comes through the ears not the eyes. If we want to see God at work, we need to gouge our eyes and put them in our ears.”

Graphic I know but its so gnarly and I love it. How about his quote

“The man or woman of frequent communion with God in prayer and in his Word will se his face in the midst of the fight, thereby find courage and strong incentive to faith.”—Phillips

Phillips would go on to give an example of the great seventeenth century John Knox who, asked if he was afraid of the infamous and notorious Blood Mary, said, “One does not fear the Queen of Scotland when he has been on his knees before the King of kings.”

Family we have to be paying attention to God’s Word, as it will help us to see.

Moses eventually confronted Egypt’s new pharaoh, he saw a much larger figure dwarfing the new king. Many saw a god; Moses saw thee God. This morning who are you looking at?

My prayer is that you will be looking to Jesus and nothing else. He is the solution family.

Benediction:

Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’

Extra:

Consider the second possibility. Many hold to this interpretation because, in relation to the first instance of leaving Egypt, fear was involved (Exodus 2:14), but v. 27 specifically says that Moses did not fear the wrath of the king. That seems to contradict the account in Exodus 2:14. Therefore, the conclusion of many is that this verse must refer to the exodus.

But there are some objections to this interpretation.

When Moses eventually led the children of Israel out of Egypt there was no reason for him to fear the king. After all, as prophesied, the people, along with Pharaoh, actually begged them to leave. So if this verse is referring to the Exodus then the mention of the “fear of the king” has no real connection.

Second, to say that Moses “forsook” Egypt is strange language to describe the Exodus. The idea inherent in the word “forsook” is that of reluctance, of a cost involved. It can imply that something valuable is left behind. But at the point of the exodus, there was really nothing to forsake. When Moses led the exodus, the Israelites were leaving a ruined land and were heading for freedom. The plagues had devastated the nation economically, agriculturally and, to a major extent, politically.

Third, the context of this verse is a major argument against an exodus interpretation. Hebrews 11 gives a faithful and accurate chronological record of those Old Testament saints who believed on Christ. Therefore, to insert the exodus before the Passover (v. 28) would be very out of character for the entire chapter, and especially so in the account of Moses. In v. 23 we have the record of Moses’ faithful parents. Then, in vv. 24–26, we have the record of Moses after he turns forty. To go straight to the last phase of his life, beginning with the Exodus, when he was eighty, would be to bypass his life-transforming forty-year sojourn in Midian. Those forty years were as crucial to Moses living by faith as any other period in his life. They were a crucial crucible.

I suppose it might also be argued that this verse is a summary of what follows. In other words, Moses, by faith, led the exodus by keeping the Passover and then by crossing the Red Sea. And he endured this ordeal by seeing Him who is invisible. But, again, it would be strange that this crucial account would not be mentioned. It is possible, but unlikely.

Having noted these other possibilities, I am persuaded that v. 27 speaks of Moses “by faith” leaving Egypt and going to Midian. That was an act of faith, not of fear. And the very mention of “not fearing the king” gives weight to this.

In fact, I would argue that this Midian episode was particularly important and relevant for these first century Hebrew Christians. They may have been tempted to argue, that Moses’ faith was not so commendable after all. Did he not fearfully flee to Midian? For the writer to ignore this episode may have looked suspiciously like special pleading. They needed encouragement, not an excuse. For, you see, they also were in a crucible. So the writer uses this episode to encourage them in their faith. Listen to how Richard Phillips explains,

Given the importance of Moses’ faith to the overall argument of this letter, the writer would seek to explain the statement of Moses’ fear in Exodus 2:14.Yes, the Exodus account says Moses was afraid, but, he clarifies, we should not think it was fear of Pharaoh; his leaving then was by faith, since he knew that God had called him to deliver the people. True, Moses’ abortive attempt to free the people had failed; and yes, Moses became afraid, but his faith in God overcame his fear and he left to await the Lord.3

Or as Morris comments, “While his fear was real, his flight appears to have been because he did not think it was God’s time for action, or, as the writer of Hebrews put it, he went out ‘by faith.’”4 In fact, the NEB outs it this way: “By faith he left Egypt, and not because he feared the king’s anger.”

Let me paraphrase what the writer is saying:

Moses, though he feared the king, went to Midian motivated by faith. His faith was stronger than his fear. Fear may have moved him initially, but faith maintained him inevitably. He was willing to go to Midian and to endure a forty-year wait because he really saw Him who is invisible.