Friday, March 2, 2012

By Faith... Moses, Part 44 of 54

TEXT: “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, not 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” (Hebrews 11:23-28).

Idea: Moses was denied entrance to God’s Promised Land, or was he?

Purpose: To help listeners see that God’s rewards may take time.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews spends quite a bit of ink on Moses. Why?

I. Does it bother you that he wasn’t allowed to enter the land God promised to his people?

Moses exercised faith, but he was often hesitant and fearful, and he made mistakes. Don’t we all?

He was not allowed to enter the land that he had been looking forward to after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, leading a rebellious throng of people. It seems somewhat unfair that he could only glimpse that land from a distance.

Why didn’t he get to enter the land? The psalmist gives the answer: He was kept out of the land because he “spoke unadvisedly with his lips.” When did he do that?

He obeyed God, but in his anger he misrepresented the nature and character of God.

II. There is a sequel to the story in the New Testament.

In Matthew 17, we read the story of Jesus’ transfiguration before Peter, James, and John. With Jesus were Moses and Elijah.

Where was the mountain in Matthew 17?

Moses stood with glory wrapped around him on a hill he had never walked on. He stood with Jesus who would fulfill all of the promises made to Moses.

Moses’ faith had its ultimate reward and vindication centuries later. In God’s economy, promises and fulfillment are not measured by our calendars. Centuries run their course. Yet some day in the future, the full meaning of our acts and life of faith will become evident. That was true for Moses, and it will be true for us.