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HEBREWS 11:30-12:2
LESSON #29
FAITH AND THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
v MEMORY VERSE: PHIL 4:11
v READ HEB 11:30-31 THE FAITH OF JOSHUA AND RAHAB
Ø READ JOS 5:13-15 (JOS 6:1-23)
§ JOSHUA’S FAITH:
· BACKGROUND:
¨ JERICHO MEANS “FRAGRANT WITHSPICES”
Ø THE NAME SIGNIFIES THE ALLUREMENT OFTHE WORLD
§ IT WAS NOT A BIG CITY, ONLY 7 ACRES,BUT IT WAS A MIGHTY FORTRESS WITH DOUBLE WALLS.
· GEOGRAPHY:
¨ GEOGRAPHY WAS IMPORTANT IN WARFARE.
· THE INHABITANTS:
¨ THE PEOPLE WERE CANAANITES, FIRSTMENTIONED IN GEN 10:18. THEY WERE THE INHABITANTS OF SODOM & GOMORRAH. (GEN 13:13 GEN 19:1-28).
Ø GOD HAD BEEN PATIENT WITH THESE PEOPLEAND GIVEN THEM WARNING SIGNS OF IMPENDING DOOM THROUGH RUMOR: REMEMBER THAT RAHAB HADHEARD THE RUMORS.
§ THE FALL OF JERICHO IS A RIGHTEOUSJUDGMENT FOR A DETERIORATED MORAL CONDITION.
· THE PLAN OF STRATEGY:
¨ WHAT WAS THE MARCHING PLAN?
Ø FOR 6 DAYS THEY HAD TO MARCH 1 TIMEAROUND THE CITY IN SILENCE EXCEPT FOR THE BLOWING OF TRUMPETS.
Ø THE 7TH DAY THEY WERE TO MARCH 7 TIMESAROUND AND THEN SHOUT.
Ø THEN THEY WERE TO MARCH STRAIGHT AHEADTOWARD THE CENTER OF THE CITY.
§ BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A BIG CITY, BY THETIME THE LEADING PEOPLE WOULD GET ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CITY, THE LAST GROUP WOULD JUSTBE STARTING. THEREFORE, THE CITY WOULD BE TOTALLY SURROUNDED BY THE MARCH OF THEISRAELITES.
¨ GOD’S INTENTIONS:
Ø WHAT WAS GOD TRYING TO ACCOMPLISHTHROUGH THIS PLAN?
§ GOD COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THERITUAL, SO WHY THE RITUAL?
· IT WAS DEMORALIZING AND CONFUSING TOTHE CANAANITES.
· IT WAS A TEST OF FAITH AND OBEDIENCEFOR THE ISRAELITES.
· IT CREATES A BOND OF UNITY AMONG THEISRAELITES
¨ THE BLAST OF THE RAM’S HORN:
Ø WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BLASTOF THE RAMS HORN (5)?
§ THE RAMS HORN WAS USED ON THEANNOUNCEMENT OF THE YEAR OF JUBILEE (EVERY 50 YEARS) AND ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT.THEREFORE, IT SIGNIFIES FREEDOM AND REJOICING.
· THE NUMBERS 6 AND 7 IN JOSHUA 6 AREVERY IMPORTANT AS ARE ALL NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE:
¨ 6 DAYS = MAN’S EFFORTS
¨ 7TH DAY = A DAY OF REST: ENTERING INTOGOD’S REST. (SEE NOTES ON HEB 4)
¨ 7 TRUMPETS = GOD GETS THE COMPLETEGLORY FOR VICTORY.
¨ 7 TIMES AROUND = GOD’S NUMBER OFCOMPLETION AND PERFECT TIMING.
Ø NOTICE THAT GODS COMMANDS VIOLATETHE MOSAIC LAW:
§ THEY HAD TO MARCH ON THE SABBATHINSTEAD OF RESTING.
§ THE PRIESTS WERE INVOLVED IN THE SEIGEOF JERICHO, WHILE THE MOSAIC LAW SAID THE PRIESTS WERE NOT TO GO TO WAR.
§ THE ARK OF THE COVENANT WAS NOTSUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN TO WAR.
· WHY THESE VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW?
¨ GOD WAS PROVING A POINT. VICTORY DOESNOT COME TO THE BELIEVER BY KEEPING THE LAW. VICTORY COMES BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH.
¨ FOR WHAT DID JOSHUA HAVE FAITH?
Ø JOSHUA BELIEVED GOD FOR THE VICTORY TOTAKE THE CITY.
¨ WHAT ACTION WAS INVOLVED IN HIS FAITH?
Ø THE ISRAELITES HAD TO BE OBEDIENT TOFOLLOW GOD’S PLAN EVEN THOUGH IT MAY HAVE SEEMED SILLY TO THEM.
§ APPLICATION FOR US:
· IN THE BATTLE OF LIFE, THERE’S A TIMETO BE STILL AND WAIT ON GOD. (EXO 14:13)
· GOD SAYS WE SHOULD STAND STILL AND SEETHE SALVATION OF THE LORD.
· KNOW THAT GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT.
¨ JUST AS THE PEOPLE HAD TO HAVE FAITHFOR 7 DAYS, WE NEED FAITH TO WAIT FOR GOD’S PERFECT TIMING.
· THERE IS A SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINSTTHE STRONGHOLD OF OUR ENEMY, SATAN. (EPH 6:12-18)
¨ THERE IS A SUPERNATURAL ENEMY TO OURFAITH. SATAN DESIRES TO SEE OUR FAITH FAIL SO THAT WE LOSE THE VICTORY. WE MUST BATTLE OURENEMY TO MAINTAIN OUR FAITH.
· FAITH, OBEDIENCE, AND SPIRITUAL WARFAREARE IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS TO VICTORY.
· IF WE DO OUR PART, GOD GETS THE GLORY.
¨ GOD’S STRATEGY IS PERFECT.
§ RAHAB’S FAITH (JOS 2:1-21):
· RAHAB’S CONFESSION OF FAITH. (JOS2:9-13)
¨ ON WHAT WAS HER STATEMENT OF FAITHBASED?
Ø SHE HEARD THAT GOD HAD GIVEN THE LANDTO THE JEWS.
Ø SHE KNEW THE INHABITANTS OF THE LANDWERE DOOMED.
Ø SHE KNEW THAT GOD DELIVERED THE JEWSFROM EGYPT.
Ø SHE HAD HEARD RUMORS OF ISRAELITESVICTORIES IN THE DESERT.
Ø THE GOD JEHOVAH IS THE ONE TRUE GOD.
§ SHE USED THE NAME JEHOVAH ELOHIM, THEJEWISH NAME FOR GOD.
Ø SHE MADE AN APPEAL FOR MERCY FOR HERFAMILY.
Ø SHE HAD FAITH IN GOD’S ABILITY TO SAVEHER HOUSEHOLD.
¨ FOR WHAT DID RAHAB HAVE FAITH?
Ø SHE HAD FAITH FOR THE PHYSICALSALVATION OF HER HOUSEHOLD THROUGH THE COMING BATTLE.
Ø SHE HAD FAITH FOR SPIRITUAL SALVATION.
¨ WHAT ACTION WAS INVOLVED IN HER FAITH?
Ø SHE HID THE 2 SPIES.
Ø SHE ASKED FOR SALVATION.
Ø SHE TIED THE SCARLET CORD IN THEWINDOW.
§ THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SCARLET CORD:
· IT IS A PICTURE OF FAITH WITH WORKS(JAM 2:24-25)
· IT IS A PICTURE OF THE BLOOD LINE OFCHRIST.
¨ SHE BECAME THE WIFE OF SALMON, A PRINCEOF JUDAH. (RUT 4:18-22 1CHR 2:11-12 LUK 3:32 MAT 1:5)
· IT IS A PICTURE OR TYPE FOR SALVATION.(HEB 9:19-22 HEB 11:31)
¨ THIS ACTION IS REMINISCENT OF THEPASSOVER LAMB’S BLOOD ON THE DOOR POSTS–EVERYONE INSIDE WOULD BE SAVED. WHY DOES GODREPEAT THE PICTURE? THE PASSOVER WAS FOR THE JEWS. THE SCARLET CORD WAS FOR THE GENTILES.
· WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM RAHAB’S FAITH?
¨ GOD’S BLESSINGS ARE FOR ANYONE WHOASKS.
Ø READ JAM 1:5-8 JAM 4:2-3
¨ MAINTAINING FAITH IS NOT ALWAYS EASY INTHE FACE OF DANGER.
¨ AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE IS THE ONLY WAYTO MAINTAIN YOUR FAITH IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
v READ HEB 11:32 – 12:2 THE HEROES OF FAITH FROM THE JUDGES, THE KINGS,AND THE PROPHETS:
Ø GIDEON (JDG 6:11-40) BARAK (JDG 4:6-24) SAMSON (JDG 15:14-20) JEPHTHAE(JDG 11:30-40) DAVID (1SM 17) SAMUEL (1SM 7:3-14).
§ THE POSITIVE EARTHLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OFFAITH:
· THEY SUBDUED KINGDOMS (33).
¨ THIS REFERS TO GIDEON, BARAK, ANDDAVID.
· THEY BROUGHT ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS (33).
¨ THIS REFERS TO GOD’S PROPHETS.
· THEY OBTAINED PROMISES (33).
¨ THIS REFERS TO THOSE LIKE JEPHTHAE (JDG 11:29-39).
· THEY STOPPED THE MOUTHS OF LIONS (33).
¨ THIS REFERS TO THOSE LIKE DANIEL IN THELIONS DEN.
· THEY QUENCHED THE VIOLENCE OF FIRE(34).
¨ SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO ESCAPEDDEATH IN THE FIERY FURNACE (DAN 3:23-28).
· THEY ESCAPED THE EDGE OF THE SWORD(34).
¨ SOME PROPHETS DID, BUT SOME DID NOT.
· THEY WERE MADE STRONG WHEN THEY WEREWEAK (34).
¨ THIS PROBABLY REFERS TO THOSE LIKESAMSON (JDG 16:23-31).
· THEY BECAME VALIANT IN FIGHTING THEBATTLE (34).
¨ LIKE JOSHUA, DAVID, AND SAMSON.
· THEY TURNED ALIEN ARMIES TO FLEE (34).
¨ LIKE GIDEON, BARAK, AND DAVID.
· WOMEN RECEIVED THEIR DEAD RAISED TOLIFE (35).
¨ THIS REFERS TO THE RAISING OF THE DEADBY ELIJAH AND ELISHA (1KI 17:20-24 2KI4:32-37).
§ THE POSITIVE HEAVENLY ACCOMPLISHMENTSOF FAITH:
· THEY WERE TORTURED NOT ACCEPTINGDELIVERANCE (35).
¨ MANY PROPHETS WERE TORTURED FOR THEIRFAITH AND REFUSED TO RENOUNCE THAT FAITH IN ORDER TO SAVE THEIR LIVES.
Ø THEY HAD A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE. (HEB11:35)
§ FAITH LIFTED THEM ABOVE THE EARTHLYPAIN.
Ø THEY HAD TRIALS OF CRUEL MOCKING,SCOURGINGS, ENSLAVEMENT, AND IMPRISONMENT. (36)
§ PAUL IS AN EXAMPLE.
Ø THEY WERE STONED (37).
§ STEPHEN AND PAUL ARE EXAMPLES.
Ø THEY WERE SAWN IN TWO (37)
§ ISAIAH IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE PARTS OF HISBODY WERE SAWED OFF.
Ø THEY WERE KILLED WITH THE SWORD (37).
Ø THEY WERE POOR AND DESTITUTE,AFFLICTED, AND TORMENTED (37)
§ JOHN THE BAPTIST IS AN EXAMPLE.
¨ IF ALL THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTSMENTIONED IN HEBREWS 11 HAD FAITH:
§ DISCUSSION: EXPLAIN WHY SOME OF THE SAINTS OF THE OLDTESTAMENT SAW THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED WITH GREAT MIRACULOUS VICTORIES AND OTHERS DID NOT?
· THEIR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE MEANTTHAT ETERNAL THINGS WERE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EARTHLY VICTORIES.
§ DISCUSSION: EXPLAIN WHY SOME OF THEM SAW THEIR PRAYERSANSWERED AND WERE PROTECTED FROM SUFFERING, PERSECUTION, AND DEATH AND SOME WERE NOT.
· THEIR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE MEANTTHAT ETERNAL LIFE WAS FAR MORE VALUABLE THAN PHYSICAL LIFE.
§ DISCUSSION: EXPLAIN WHY SOME OF THEM SAW THEIR PRAYERSANSWERED AND RECEIVED GREAT WEALTH AND MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AND OTHERS WERE POOR ANDDESTITUTE AND DID NOT SEE THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED.
· THEIR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE MEANTTHAT ETERNAL RICHES WERE WORTH FAR MORE THAN EARTHLY POSSESSIONS.
¨ GOD HAS A PLAN FOR THE LIFE OF EACHBELIEVER. FOR SOME IT WILL MEAN GREAT EARTHLY VICTORY, FOR OTHERS SUFFERING AND DEATH. FORSOME IT WILL MEAN WEALTH, AND FOR OTHERS POVERTY.
Ø THE DIFFERENCE IS NOT IN THE WORTH ORCHARACTER OF THE BELIEVER. IT IS IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD.
Ø THE DIFFERENCE IS NOT IN THE AMOUNT OFFAITH OF THE INDIVIDUAL, FOR HEB 11:39 SAYS THEY ALL HAD FAITH.
§ HOWEVER, IT ALSO SAYS THEY EACHRECEIVED SOMETHING BETTER (40) AND THAT THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY OF THEM (38).
· IN OTHER WORDS, THEY EACH HAD ANETERNAL PERSPECTIVE AND WOULD RECEIVE THE REWARD OF THEIR FAITH IN ETERNITY.
§ MANY TIMES WE CRITICALLY JUDGE OTHERCHRISTIANS FOR THEIR LACK OF FAITH BECAUSE THEY ARE SUFFERING, BECAUSE THEY ARE ILL,BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO HEB 11:36-38 THEY HAD FAITH AND ARE IN GOODCOMPANY.
· WE ALL NEED AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE TOOUR FAITH!
v APPLICATION:
Ø HEB 12:1-2
§ A PRINCIPLE OF TRUTH:
· THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAITH WITHOUTDIFFICULTIES.
· THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAITH WITHOUTTESTING OF THAT FAITH.
· HOWEVER, FAITH CONQUERS, WHETHER THERESULT IS AN ANSWER ON EARTH, OR IN THE POWER OF ENDURANCE TO WAIT FOR BETTER THINGS INHEAVEN.
§ THE ADMONITION:
· WE HAVE A GREAT MULTITUDE OF FAITHHEROES TO DEMONSTRATE FAITH FOR US. THEREFORE, WE SHOULD PUT ASIDE SIN AND LIVE THECHRISTIAN LIFE PATIENTLY WITH AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. WE HAVE A GREATER ADVANTAGE (THEBETTER PROMISE) THAN THE OLD TESTAMENT HEROES OF FAITH.
¨ WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND A PERSONALINDWELLING RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. IF THEY ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH, WE CAN ACCOMPLISHMORE.
§ THE FOCUS:
· LOOKING TO JESUS WHO IS THE AUTHOR ANDFINISHER OF OUR FAITH.
¨ JESUS INITIATES FAITH IN US. WE DON’TWORK IT UP BY OUR OWN WILL.
¨ JESUS COMPLETES OUR FAITH AS WE WALKWITH HIM DAILY IN OBEDIENCE, IN READING AND STUDYING HIS WORD.
· THE KEY TO STRONG FAITH IS TO KEEP YOUREYES ON JESUS, NOT THE OBJECT OF YOUR PRAYER, OR ON THE SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES.
HOMEWORK
HEBREWS 12:3-13
THIS IS A SELF-STUDY. PLEASE DO NOT SEND HOMEWORKANSWERS TO THE TEACHER FOR CORRECTION.
v APPLICATION FOR HEB 11:30-12:2
§ IN LIGHT OF THE LESSON, DESCRIBE HOWETERNAL IS YOUR PERSPECTIVEON LIFE?
§ WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS WEEK TO SEETHINGS MORE FROM AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE?
v PREPARATION FOR HEB 12:3-13
§ READ HEB 12:1-13 TRIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
¨ WHEN WE GET DISCOURAGED, WHAT SHOULD WEDO?
¨ WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE INPERSECUTIONS AND TRIALS?
¨ WHAT DOES CHASTENING ACCOMPLISH WHEN ITIS PROPERLY ACCEPTED?
v MEMORY VERSE: HEB 12:6
