without faith it is impossible to please God_3

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 This is the third message of Hebrews 11:6, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” So far, we have learned from the great men of faith from Old Testament, while focusing on this passage (Hebrews 11: 6). They lived focusing on their goals, by holding on to the word of God even in trials and difficulties. Last time, we learned from Abraham’s faith, we read that he has overcome the test of offering his beloved child. In reality, he did not kill his beloved son Isaac, but he had a faith as Hebrews 11:19 says, “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead.” God is truly the one who rewards those who seek Him. Abraham confessed his faith by a word “Adonai Yir’eh. This means “the Lord will provide”, and it shows that Abraham was able to find the Lord’s provision in the midst of trials and difficulties. It can be the life of believers, including us. Today, we would like to learn from the faith of Moses and receive encouragement from his faith. Now, please read Hebrews 11: 23-31.

 Let us read Hebrews 11:6 again. It says,「And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.」(‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬) Let us have the faith to believe in the existence of God, and the faith that God rewards those who seek Him. By the way, Moses, whom we are learning from today, is the most important person in the book of Exodus. Exodus chapters 1-2 describe the suffering of the Israelites and the birth of Moses. Please read Exodus chapter 1 and 2.

 The author of Hebrews states on the faith of Moses 5 times, using the word “By faith.” Hebrews 11:23 says,「By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.」The faith mentioned here is the faith of Moses’ parents. This passage points out that they had a faith fearing God, and instead of fearing human like Pharaoh and his order. The meaning of Moses is to “draw out / pull out(of water)”. Moses was drawn out of water and he led his people out of Egypt just as his name implies. By the faith of his parents, Moses was rescued from the Nile, picked up by Pharaoh’s daughter, and became the son of the princess.
 
From verse 24, the faith of Moses is written. It says,「By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God…」(‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:24-25‬ ‭NIV)‬‬
It’s not an easy path to choose to suffer with God’s people. Verse 26 says,「He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.」‭Moses chose to suffer with God’s people, and all the blames he received because of this choice, it was all for the sake of Christ. Exodus 4:22-23 says,「‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son,…」The Lord himself calls Israel “my son”. Both the Messiah and his people is mentioned with a deep sense of unity. By faith Moses chose to suffer for the people of God and for Christ, aiming for an eternal city. In the second half of verse 26, it says, “…(because) he was looking ahead to his reward.” We also want to live a life focusing on eternal city and rewards from God.
 
From verse 27, it talks about Mose’s faith that he left Egypt by faith, he met the invisible God, and he faced the challenges of battling against Pharaoh. God stroke Egypt with 10 plagues. The last disaster is that the first born in Egypt are struck by God and dies. Through these plagues, Egypt finally free Israel from slavery. Verse 28 says,「By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.」(Hebrews‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV)‬‬
To commemorate this, the Jews hold a festival of passover even now. The blood of the lamb was put on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses, and the blood was a sign for the Israelites and the Lord passed over them as He sees the blood. This points to the event of the cross of Christ. Those who believe in Christ will not be judged by God. It is also written that it is by faith. One of the most famous passages in the Bible, John 3:16 says,「For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.」(John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV)‬‬ Just like Isralites experienced passover by faith, we also believe in the redemption of Christ and by faith we receive the salvation.
 
Hebrews 11:29 says,「By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land;」As the people stood at the shore of the Red Sea chased by the Egyptians, God delivered them miraculously. Please refer to Exodus chapter 14. By faith they overcame difficulties. I imagine Moses went through great challenges and difficulties as a leader of Israel. Once again, let us read Romans 5: 3-5 to confirm the purpose of the trial. Let us keep in mind that suffering produces perseverance. The Bible records Moses, who passed through these great challenges, as “a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of earth.” We also want to be those who can sympathize with the pains and sufferings of others and learn humility, as we live by faith.