A Systematic Expository Study on the book of Hebrews

STUDY 32:  THE DECISIONS OF FAITH

Hebrews 11: 23 - 26

Decisions determine destiny! Our decisions have far-reaching effects on us and many others. The decisions of the parents of Moses had effect, not only on the family but on the whole nation of Israel. And the decision of Moses! We would not have heard anything about him but for his choice, his decision. Because of his decision Israel was delivered from bondage, God’s covenant with Abraham was fulfilled, God’s power was made known to Egypt and the world, divine revelation in written form has become available to the whole world, etc. Our decisions reveal who we are and also determine how useful or useless we would be in life. Our decisions determine where we shall spend eternity.

Some seemingly simple and unimportant decisions have great consequences. When decisions are taken in fear, unbelief, or because of negative reaction, revenge and frustration, we may unknowingly be committing spiritual suicide. Every decision should be taken in faith. There will be no regrets when we take all our decisions with God. Take no decision without God.

The parents of Moses were married at a difficult time in Egypt. And Moses was born when there was an edict to destroy all male infants. The parents hid the child for three months. When it became impossible to continue hiding the child, they took another decision - a decision of faith. Moses was preserved, Israel was delivered, the world was blessed!

PROTECTION RECEIVED BY FAITH

Hebrews 11: 23; Exodus 1: 16, 22; 2: 1-10; Acts 7: 18-21; Hebrews 13: 6; Psalms 56: 4; 118: 6; Isaiah 51: 7, 12, 13, 15, 16; Psalm 91: 1-5.

Our decisions either bring God on our side or make Him to be against us. Decisions of faith shield and protect us from Satan while decisions of unbelief expose us to Satan and his agents.

“Another king arose, which knew not Joseph” (Acts 7: 18). This new evil king made a law that the male infants born to Israelites should be killed. “They cast out their young children, to the end they might not live” (Acts 7: 19). It was at this time Moses was born (Acts 7: 20). Why didn’t the parents act in fear and surrender their child Moses to be killed under the cruel edict? “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents... and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment” (Hebrews 11: 23).

The parents of Moses received divine protection for the child because they acted in faith. The strong, spiritual, supernatural faith they had in God strengthened and sustained their hearts in the crisis. Their faith in God overcame the fear of man. Faith enables us to look away from human terrors, and to put our trust in the unseen, invisible God (Psalm 27: 1). In times of persecution, the promises of God are our greatest protection. If we believe in God, all the laws which men may make against the promises that God has given to His Church are doomed to certain failure. “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5: 36).

PRESTIGE REJECTED BY FAITH

Hebrews 11: 24; Exodus 2: 10; Acts 7: 21-23; Philippians 3: 4-8; 2 Corinthians 8: 9; Philippians 2:6, 7; Psalm 84: 10.

There are some bold decisions that can only be taken in faith by those who see the great spiritual heights that God is calling them to. To reject such privilege and prestige as Moses rejected demands real faith in God. Carnal reasoning could have said, Why not accept to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and use the position to reform Egypt? Why not use this royal privilege to lessen the oppression of the Hebrews? Why not accept the prestige of being called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter so as to escape much affliction and suffering? Only bold faith in God can make us reject Satan’s scholarship to greatness.

A man is known by his choice - by his decision. You cannot know a man fully until you know what he accepts or rejects by faith and his conviction in God. Our spiritual life, faith maturity can be measured by our daily decisions. Faith views eternity to come and rejects the privileges and prestige of this passing world that will soon fade away. Moses knew that God preserved him to deliver Israel from Egypt. To remain in Egypt’s palace when God wanted him to lead Israel out of Egypt will be unbelief and disobedience to God. Some people find it difficult to make the sacrifices (self- denial and separation from the world) that Christ requires, because they have no faith. Believe as Moses believed, and you will find it easy to decide and choose as Moses did.

PLEASURE REFUSED BY FAITH

Hebrews 11: 25, 26; Acts 7: 23, 24; Ruth 1: 11-18; 2: 11, 12; 2 Samuel 15: 19-23; Acts 20: 23, 24; Romans 16: 3, 4.

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11: 25). There is faith that conquers the flesh, faith that conquers the world. The decision to refuse the pleasure of the flesh in Egypt, relinquish a high position in the palace, renounce power in the greatest empire at that time, resist the pride of life and reject prosperity that could have made him blind to God’s call upon his life, that decision was a decision of faith. Living faith in God makes us to forsake all the things the world holds dear. Moses weighed what Egypt had to offer against what God offered. He considered God’s offer in the light of eternity and saw that it was infinitely superior in every way.

There is both a negative and a positive side of the decision of faith of Moses. First, a “refusing”, then a “choosing” (Hebrews 11: 24, 25) , and that order is unchanging. It is our refusal of the things of the world and our choosing the things of the Lord which identifies us as true children of God. And this is all by faith. Living by faith, we faithfully keep the things of eternal value in view.

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