Truth Magazine

By Donnie V. Rader

The life of Joseph sets many beautiful examples for the people of God to follow. This is obvious from the fact that the story of his life occupies so much space in the book of Genesis. Joseph was a man who overcame. He did not forget God while facing temptation or unpleasant circumstances. Neither was he a man to sink into a pool of self-pity. Rather this great man of God had faith, courage, and determination; he overcame his trials. Let us all take heed to his example.

He Overcame Temptation

Temptation will come. It did to Joseph. As he was assailed with such trials he was victorious. Potiphar’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and requested that he lay with her. This was nova one-time request, but day after day she continued her plea (Gen. 39:7, 10). It would have been a great temptation had he just been tempted to commit fornication. But the temptation is greater when his woman begged him day after day to be with her. What would you have done under like circumstances? I hope and trust you would react like Joseph, who “refused” and remained pure in the sight of God (Gen. 39:8).

There are a number of things about Joseph’s refusal that we must notice.(1)

1. He remembered that his master trusted him. “But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand” (Gen. 39:8). We need constantly to realize that others are trusting us to behave ourselves. Young people, don’t forget that while you’re out on a date, your parents trust you to behave as a Christian should. Men and women, you too need to realize that while you are at work or home, your mate has faith in you. As Joseph didn’t want to do anything that would betray that confidence that Potiphar had in him, so we also ought to conduct ourselves properly so as to fulfill that expectation others have in us.

2. He recalled that such an act was wickedness. Joseph asked the woman, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God” (Gen. 39:9)? No doubt, had he given in, there would have been some pleasure for a season. Far too often it is not until temptation has already overtaken someone that they realize that sin is involved. They let the pleasures of the moment overshadow the real facts. Whether there be enjoyment -or not it is still sin! Oh, how I would that while in time of temptation, men and women would take just a moment to realize that if they yield, it is -a sin against God.

3. He said, “No! ” The text says that he “refused” (Gen. 39:8). One of the greatest lessons that parents can teach their children is how to say a simple but often difficult word, “No.” Oh yes, if you say “no” your date may never ask you out again. Sure, it may cause hardships at work or school. Because Joseph said “no,” Potiphar’s wife then lied about what he had done which resulted in his being cast into prison. However it was because he did say “no” that he continued to maintain a right relationship with God, which was far more important than anything he might have gained by yielding to the temptation.

4. He was aware ‘of bad situations and how they looked. Joseph told his master’s wife, “My master wotteth not what is with me in the house” (Gen. 39:8). As Joseph went into the house, “there was none of the men of the house there within” (Gen. 39:11). Joseph realized that his being in the house alone with this woman was dangerous and would cause others to wonder what was taking place. I am amazed sometimes at how thoughtless some “Christians” are about how some situations look. Though nothing may go on, we can’t afford to be careless in matters of this kind. Our reputation is at stake. Too often I see or hear of some secretary going to lunch with some man in the office, of some preacher meeting some lady alone in his study or meet her at some restaurant. How often do parents leave the house for their son or daughter to invite their boyfriend or girlfriend over. Who can’t see the danger of such situations?

5. He fled and got away. When the woman caught Joseph by the garment and begged him to lie with her, “he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out” (Gen. 39:12). That means he literally got out of the house. Friend, there may be a time when in great temptation, you may have to literally get out of the house or car and run from the enticement,,and call someone to come and get you. You will be glad you did.

Joseph overcame his temptation. “Though robbed of his coat, he would not be robbed of his character. He could get another coat but not another character.”(2)

He Overcame Circumstances

Joseph was ill-treated by many. The circumstances about him were not good. He was hated by his brothers (Gen. 37:4). They wanted to kill him but Reuben said, “Let us not kill him” (Gen. 37:18-22). His brethren took his coat of many colors that he cherished so and cast him into an empty pit (Gen. 37:23-28). He was then sold to a band of Ishmaelites from Gilead for twenty pieces of, silver. Being brought to Egypt, he was sold to Potiphar (Gen. 37:36). How do you suppose a man would feel after such treatment? Would you think he would be tempted to turn from God? Would there not be a little temptation to give up and feel sorry for one’s self? But that’s not all. After fleeing from his master’s wife, he was lied about and cast into pnson for something he hadn’t done. After showing kindness to Pharoah’s chief butler, he was forgotten (Gen. 40:23).

How would you have reacted under like circumstances? Would you have forgotten God and turned to a life of sin? Would you have cried about how bad the world was treating you? Or would you like Joseph overcome by a faith in God? Paul said, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). We as Christians will face trying and difficult times. We will be ill-treated by our brethren as well as the world. There will be times that it seems that everything is against us. Yet, we like Joseph must overcome.

“There was not anything he could do about his circumstances, but he could do something about himself.”(3) Though a stranger in a foreign land, rejected by his own brothers, yet he refuses to turn to a life of carnality.

1. He remained humble and patient. The trials that he faced would produce even more patience. James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (Jas. 1:2-3). Paul also said that we glory in tribulations knowing that the same worketh patience, and patience, experience (approval). That is, when we come patiently through the trials of life, we stand approved of God (Rom. 5:3-4).

2. He returned goodfor evil. He didn’t treat his brethren the same or worse than they had done to him. He spoke kindly to his brothers that had treated him so badly. When they came to buy corn, he returned their money (Gen. 45:24). Joseph nourished his father and his brethren (Gen. 47:12). We too must learn to return good for evil. Paul said, “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). Paul goes on in the context to say we are to destroy our enemies. Yes, whip our foes. But how? Do so with kindness. “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:20-21). When you make a friend out of your enemies, you have destroyed your enemies. They are now your friends.

3. Joseph maintained purity of life though he lived in a corrupt nation. He refused to let evil influences about him overtake him. We can be deceived into thinking that association with evil will have no effect on us. However, Paul warns that it can (1 Cor. 15:33). Jesus prayed for His disciples as they would be living in a corrupt world saying, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:15). They would be kept from that evil by an adherence to the truth of God (John 17:17).

4. Joseph recognized that God was with him during all his trials and tribulations. “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man … the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand” (Gen. 39:2-3, 21). He told his brethren, “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5). Later he said, “ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good . . .” (Gen. 50:20). “This is not to say that Joseph thought that Jehovah approved that which his brethen did, or the motive, which prompted their action; but rather that God was able to overrule that which, they did to his glory and the good of the family of Jacob.”(4) As Joseph remained content with his circumstances, realizing that God was with him, he too should be content recognizing that God has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). And “if God be for us, who can be against us” (Rom. 8:31)? Hence the people of God need to remember that God can overrule anything in their life, great or small, to their ultimate good.

5. He didn’t sink into a pool of self-pity. One thing this man of God didn’t do is fret and worry about how badly life had treated him. He could have very easily just given up and thought that neither God nor anyone else cared about him. But rather than feeling sorry for himself, Joseph overlooked the bad circumstances and counted his many blessings. Paul urges that we should not be careful (anxious) about our lives but rather center our minds upon things that are good, pure, lovely, and of good report (Phil. 4:6-8).

Yes Joseph overcame. He overcame temptation and his circumstances. Obvious from this is the fact that one can remain faithful in the worst of situations. Since God doesn’t require the impossible, it can, be done.

Endnotes

1. Some of the points in this section were taken from an excellent outline by Hiram Hutto, Preach The Word (Guardian of Truth Foundation: 198 1), pp. 27-30.

2. Franklin Camp, Old Truths In New Robes (Roberts and Son Publication, Birmingham, AL: 1970), p. 174.

3. Ibid, p. 173.

4. Guy N. Woods, Annual Lesson Commentary 1959 (Gospel Advocate Co., Nashville, TN, 1958), p.. 270.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 17, pp. 517-518
September 1, 1983

By Earl E. Robertson

About two thousand years after the creation of the world Abraham was born in “Ur of the Chaldees” (Gen. 11:28; 15:7; Acts 7:2-4). It seems that he lived here about seventy years, after which he lived in Haran – “then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran” (Acts 7:4). Terah, Abraham’s father, went with his son into Haran which was a few hundred miles from Ur. It was here that Terah died at two hundred and seventy-five years of age (Gen. 11:32). Through this time Abraham built altars and worshiped God.

From the mountain region between Bethel and Ai he moved southward. Finally the long famine in Palestine forced him into Egypt where food was plentiful. How long he stayed there we are not told. It is doubtful, however, that he dwelt in Egypt very long, because his fears concerning his beautiful wife were soon materialized. This forced his exodus and he returned to the place he had been before between Bethel and Ai, a very rich man (Gen. 12:17-13:4). From this it was God and His faithful Abraham with his posterity.

After this, many disturbing events and situations were experienced by this worthy patriarch. But God blessed him and continued to tell him of his future by a covenant.

This historical period, some four hundred years after the flood, was characterized with infidelity toward God and did, therefore, necessitate divine interposition to keep the knowledge of God in the people and faith in their hearts. Abraham was God’s man for the job. He went forth with God’s promise: “In these shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3).

The outward conditions touching Abraham’s life were not conducive to pleasure. Economically his life was somewhat nomadic; he lived in tents and his wealth consisted of animals and servants. He bore the social pain of casting out his oldest son when Isaac was born (Gen. 21:10-12; Gal. 4:22-30). His faith was in God because God had spoken to him. The character and behavioral patterns of his wife were conducive to his faithfulness to God. She was very much aware of his headship over the home and was subordinate to him, calling him lord (1 Pet. 3:6). This worthy woman’s faith in God helped stabilize Abraham in his fidelity to his Maker. She judged God faithful in His promises affecting them, and they staggered not in those promises which appeared impossible to be fulfilled (Rom. 4:16-22).

By Faith Abraham Obeyed

The apostle says, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; he went out, not knowing whether he went” (Heb. 11:8). What faith at the beck and call of God! This was not just faith, but obedient faith that committed its possessor fully to God. The obedience of Abraham is the first real evidence of the patriarch’s faith. God called him, and he responded positively to go to a land of which he did not know. The place into which he should go was to be received “for an inheritance.” From personal knowledge Abraham could not know at this time whether this would be a good move for him monetarily or not; his obedience to God was never determined on such conditions. God called him involving him with a place and time of which he possessed absolutely no knowledge. But he went; he obeyed!

Abraham became a sojourner, dwelling in tents! This promised land was to him “a strange country” (allotrios, “belonging to another”). Yes, this very land that Abraham was promised to receive for an inheritance he came to with Sarah and Lot – “and into the land of Canaan they came” (Gen. 12:5). In this land at the “plain of Moreh” God said unto Abraham, “unto thy seed will I give this land” (Gen. 12:7). The remainder of Abraham’s life was lived in pure and complete trust in God and His word, dwelling as an outsider in the very land of God’s promise. Making his faith more noticable is the use of the two verbs, which, apparently is a play on words; disojourner – dwelling in tabernacles.” Temporary and permanent residency in the promised land! Abraham died believing what God promised him, but “not having received the promises” he confessed that he was a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth (Heb. 11:13). He sought a country, a better country (Heb. 11:14, 16)! The shifting and moving tent was the nearest approach that Abraham ever found in that land to be home. Time element in God keeping His promise was not a determining factor as to whether Abraham would believe and obey God.

The patient waiting for the fulfillment of the promise was not for one generation only. Abraham sojourned in that land dwelling in tents “with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise” (Heb. 11:9). Abraham’s faith was in things hoped for and not seen. He understood God’s promise and had expectation for the future which embraced a city that had foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Of this the apostle said, “he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:16). The inspired writer shows why Abraham could patiently wait, “For he looked for a .city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11: 10). The preposition “for” introduces the reason. This city had foundations, the foundations that Abraham’s tent never had or could have had. The tent of the pilgrim was temporary, whereas, the city God had designed and built had permanency. Abraham could, therefore, look beyond the temporary and shifting tent, which was his home in Canaan, to a city that abides and changes not. In similar language, Paul, surrounded with struggle, conflict and affliction said, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which, are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

The Christian must always be aware of the temporal and fleeting “tent” (cf. 2 Cor. 5:1-10) in which he now dwells and not allow himself to be satisfied with such things that one sees (cf. Lk. 12:15). The Christian must “walk by faith,” desiring to be “clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (2 Cor. 5:2,7).

Believed God Was Able and Faithful

Abraham could not know the future, and neither do we know it. However, what appeared to him from a human standpoint to be impossible was possible because God made the commitment. The very words of God commit God! If God spoke there were to be no doubts of shadows in Abraham’s trust. Abraham counted God faithful, because God commited Himself (Rom. 4:20,21). He believed that God was both able and faithful in the performance of His word. It seems so difficult for some to have faith in the non-tangible and unseen even though God has spoken. There is not the slightest indication in all the divine record that Abraham ever experienced such a problem.

When Abraham was called upon by his Maker to “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest -and offer him there for a burnt offering -” (Gen. 22:2), he rose up early in the morning and took Isaac to do exactly what God told him to do. Evidently running through the heart of this worthy patriarch were many ideas as to just what might be involved in this demand for sacrifice by the Lord. From the smoldering embers of that burning sacrifice Abraham reasoned “that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure” (Heb. 11: 19). Whether the anxiety created in any human heart experiencing such an ordeal could be softened by the thought expressed in Hebrews 11: 19 we do not know. Anxiety or no anxiety was not a determining factor with this godly man. His faith was in his God – the God of creation and leadership of the human family. Oh for faith like this in the churches today! The will of God would be obeyed and the world evangelized!

Though man cannot know beyond the present, God knows all things before they happen (Isa. 48:3-5). There was no way Abraham could know the future; he just knew the God of the future. The voice of that God this man had heard and believed without reservation. This is the ultimate in trust in God. The entire journey of Abraham, embracing every heart-throb and fateful event was motivated by his complete acceptance of God’s judgments spoken to him. He could not argue with or doubt the God who had commanded him! This way of life – a life of yielding to every expressed mandate of deity – is somewhat demonstrated by Peter in his call to the apostleship (Lk. 5). Early one morning the Lord told Peter to “launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (5:4). The immediate reaction of Peter was, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing. ” However, he quickly yields saying, “Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” The fisherman yields to the advice of the one who had no reputation as a fisherman. It was his trust in the Lord who knew all things. From his experiences as a fisherman he could not think the daytime fishing would be productive of any good; neither could he foresee himself failing at the feet of Jesus confessing himself a sinful man when the boats were filled with fish to the extent they began to sink. His confidence in the Lord moved him to do exactly what the Master had bidden him to perform.

What a blessing it is to any one who can, like Abraham, look beyond the present that is filled with frustrations, problems, pain, disappointments and sorrows to a permanent abiding with the God that made man and sustains him with all the essentials both material and spiritual to make man complete. He desired a heavenly country, and so do we. He believed God rewards those who seek him (Heb. 11:6).

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 17, pp. 515, 535-536
September 1, 1983

By Harold Fite

If a man ever had it made, it was Job! God had blessed him with seven sons and three daughters, seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household. “He was the greatest of all the children of the east.” Then boom! It happened. The bottom fell out of his little world: he lost his sons and daughters through death, he lost his possessions, his friends, and his health. One day he was sitting on top of the world, he had it all. The next day he was reduced to the nakedness of his being. How does a man handle a thing like that? Does he take his own life? Does he become bitter with the injustice of it all? Does he blame God?

The Suffering Of Job

Few men have suffered the mental anguish and physical pain as did Job. He was tormented by “sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown,” and sat among the ashes and scraped himself with a pot sherd (Job. 2:7, 8). His wife called on him to “renounce God, and die.” The nights were long, without ease and rest. His bones clave to his skin. Worms and dust clothed his flesh. His skin would close up, and then break out afresh in running sores. He was in constant pain. His “face was red with weeping,” and his “eyelids where the shadow of death.” He was isolated from his brethren, his acquaintances and kinsfolk.

He must have been a grotesque and pitiable creature. His three friends had to look twice to recognize him. Young children despised him; familiar friends hated him; and those whom he loved dearly turned against him. In his pain and misery he cursed the day he was born, and like many on beds of affliction wished he had died at birth, or had been the victim of a miscarriage.

The questions that frustrate the suffering 20th century man plagued Job: “Why can’t I die now?” and “What purpose or profit is there in my continuing to live in such a pitiable and despicable state?” Yet, to his credit in his bankruptcy and bereavement he did not renounce God.

Now this doesn’t mean he would accept his suffering graciously and without questioning over the entire period of pain. Sure, he would become depressed, frustrated, and would be bitter at times and upon occasions would question the justice of God. There would be times when he would become irritable, his words sharp and cutting. He would agonize over why these things befell him. “Why me Lord?” He would want answers. But this helps us to identify with him as a human being.

Why Did Job Suffer?

Job’s three friends thought he was suffering because of sin. Eliphaz’s thesis was that trouble only comes through personal sin, and the solution is to get it out in the open, seek God, and commend his cause to God. He accuses Job of presumptuous words and pretentious claims, and with brutal bluntness charges him with being abominable and corrupt, “A man that drinketh iniquity like water?” (Job 15:16). He tried to refresh Job’s memory by enumerating sins which he thought Job could have possibly committed (22:5-9), and advised him to “acquaint now thyself with him; and be at peace” (22:21).

Bildad reasoned that God does not pervert justice, and if Job were pure and upright “surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous” (8:6).

Zophar rebuked Job for what he considered boasting and mockery when Job declared his doctrine was pure and that he was clean in his own eyes (11: 1-6). He spoke of Job’s ignorance and God’s wisdom, and of the wonderful possibilities if Job would repent, but warned him that “. . . the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee” (v. 20). Zophar reminded Job that the triumphing of the wicked is short and that punishment is certain.

All three thought the worst of Job, charged him with sin, and would not consider his defense. They believed he was lying and was insensitive to his problem. Their minds were made up. That “men suffer because of personal sin” was set like concrete in their minds. To them, Job’s appeal to his righteousness came off as being arrogant, egotistical and self-righteous.

Job knew he wasn’t being punished for personal sins. But why? Job was not aware of the conversation God had with the Devil when times were good. The Devil had made the charge that Job served God, not from love, but for reward. That God had protected him, blessed the works of his hands, and increased his substance. “But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face” (Job. 1: 11).

When Job confounded the Devil by not renouncing God for the loss of his possessions, the Devil proposed taking away his health. “But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face” (Job 2:5).

In both instances God accepted the challenge. Job became a battleground. The purpose of the Devil’s work was to get Job to “renounce God and die,” and to prove the point that man serves God only for what he can get out of Him. The loss of possessions; the loss of family; the loss of health and the persistent charges of his friends were all designed to this end. The Devil was responsible for his suffering, and the suffering was the test of his faith. But Job didn’t know that! We can look back over the centuries and see the plan and its unfoldment, but Job had no explanation.

Job Seeking Answer From God

Job agreed with Eliphaz’s advise: “acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace.” But the problem with Job was finding him. “Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!” (Job 23:3).

Job felt confident that if he could have audience with God he would be vindicated from the charges made against him. “Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?” Job asked. “Nay; but he would give heed unto me” (Job 23:6). Job knew when he had been tried, he would ‘come forth as gold.” It is one thing for our friends to misunderstand our misery and suffering and to be insensitive toward us, and quite another to get the impression that God is uncaring and inconsiderate of our plight -that God is not listening. It seemed to Job that God was hiding from him (Job 23:8, 9). We see him spiritually struggling, groping for a solution from God. His argument finally took the form that he was just and God was unjust! Then he charges God with cruelty and persecution (30:20, 21).

In his confusion and pain he began to express an erroneous view of God. Job felt God counted him as an enemy; had taken away his right; that his righteous life counted for nothing. “I am innocent,” he said, and the things happening to him seemed unjust and unfair. But God often acts beyond our own reasoning and understanding. “I am God and not man.” Job spoke out of ignorance. God humbled him by asking him questions concerning his knowledge and his power in relation to the oceans, the rising of the sun, the realms beyond life, the common things of life, the influence of the stars, atmospheric conditions, the providential care of animals and their distinctive nature, etc. Then Job recognized he had said too much, and of something he knew nothing about. “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer then? I lay my hands upon my mouth” (Job 40:4). But God did not let him off that easy. He poured salt in the wound by asking, “Wilt thou even annul my judgment? Will thou condemn me, that thou mayest be justified?” (v. 8). 1 am sure that hurt. Job admitted that he had said things of which he did not understand. “I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear,” he said, “But now mine eye seeth thee.” He was now a much wiser man, and looking back over his words and actions, he said, “Wherefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job. 42:6).

Job questioned the justice of God, but he didn’t renounce God, and proved that the man of faith serves God out of love and not just for the rich and abundant blessings. He justified God’s confidence in him and was vindicated from the charges the three friends made against him. God blessed Job by giving him twice as much as he had before. Such faith and patience will be rewarded.

The Lesson For Us

The lesson is, regardless of the situation we may find ourselves in – trust in God!

In our suffering may we never blame God. There are various reasons for suffering (which is a lesson within itself) but all suffering originated with the Devil. We need to lay the blame where it belongs. God allows suffering but does not arbitrarily inflict it upon us. May our pain of suffering never cause us ‘ to irrationally charge God with being unfair and unjust.

We must look on our suffering as the testing of our faith, “. . . knowing that the proving of your (our) faith worketh patience” (James 1:3). Peter said, “ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:6, 7).

When we have the faith and patience of Job, we can have the confidence that “when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 17, pp. 514, 516-517
September 1, 1983

By Ron Halbrook

The famous orator and infamous agnostic Robert Ingersoll (1833-99) lectured on “The Mistakes of Moses.” It seems that Moses was an ignoramus, the Bible a fraud, and Ingersoll capable of writing a better book than the Bible anytime. A book answering him was entitled, appropriately, The Mistakes of Ingersoll (Chicago: Rhodes and McClure Publ.-, 1889). Ingersoll wounded himself more than he wounded Moses. The Bible still stands as reliable historical evidence that Moses lived, led the Jews out of Egyptian bondage, received the Law, and wrote the Pentateuch. Moses will not be remembered for mistakes falsely attributed to him, but will always be remembered for his faithful decisions in serving God. Ingersoll the agnostic is fading from view, while Moses the faithful child of God is still an inspiration to godly people.

Hebrews 11:23-29 focuses on crucial decisions in the life of Moses. Each decision was made by faith, that is, by confidence in God and in the promises of His Word. Each decision was made because of “things hoped for” but “not seen” at the time of decision (Heb. 11: 1). “By faith” does not mean by fanciful wishing or by a blind leap in the dark. “By faith” means by assurance that God will continue to keep His Word as He has always done! Reliable testimony to God’s past deeds is the ground and evidence for faith that God will keep His present promises. That very faith becomes the ground upon which men proceed to do His will and persevere in doing it.

Moses Made Five Decisions By Faith

What decisions in the life of Moses were made by faith? The first one illustrates parental influences upon his life because it was a decision made by them on his behalf. His parents risked their own lives to disobey the king’s order to destroy newborn males (Ex. 1:22). They did this not only because of normal parental love, but also “by faith” (Heb. 11:23). They confidently “hoped for” the life of Moses to be spent in God’s service. They embraced the seed promise, knowing it could not be fulfilled if Hebrew male children were destroyed. Also, they may have received a direct promise that this child was to deliver the Jews from Egyptian bondage. Moses learned of this destiny before he was forty years old, from either his parents or a direct revelation (cf. Acts 7:25; Gen. 15:13-14). Moses’ mother was his nursemaid (Ex. 2:5-10). Thus, by providence, was laid the foundation for her to train Moses in the Word and promises of God.

The second decision was made by Moses when he was 44grown,” or forty years old (Ex. 2:11; Acts 7:23). This decision was his own, not his parents’. He was high in station among the Egyptians. What great learning, eloquence, and other accomplishments are sketched in the few words of Acts 7:22 – “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of’ the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.” Some modern scholars think Moses was in line to sit on the throne of Egypt, to reign as Pharaoh! To say the least, he had in the palm of his hand every favor and advantage which the ruling class of Egypt could offer. Not only was every legitimate opportunity for success his own, but also the license of the elite “to enjoy the pleasures of sin.”

But Moses consciously identified himself as a child of God and a brother to every suffering Hebrew. “Seeing one of them suffer wrong,” he defended this his brother and slew the oppressive taskmaster (Ex. 2:11-12; Acts 7:24; Heb. 11: 24-26). Moses decided to suffer for the right at all costs and to strike a blow for the defense of God’s people. Moses was willing to share the burden and stigma of all who serve God in the face of evil. Moses shared that shame and reproach which all the righteous endure and which culminated in the sufferings of Christ, because Moses by faith looked for the Savior to come.

Thus, Moses refused his heritage in Egypt’s royal courts and chose rather to suffer with the people of God. This he did, emphatically by faith! He was looking away to the future, to “things hoped for,” to “things not seen,” to “the recompence of the reward” of God (Heb. 1: 1, 26). He fully embraced the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (Heb. 11:8-22). God had promised a blessing to men of all nations through Abraham’s seed – through a prepared people in a prepared land (Gen. 12:1-3). Toward that end, God had promised that His people would suffer in Egypt only for a temporary time. Then they would go to possess Canaan so that the eternal purpose of man’s salvation might continue to unfold. Moses believed it!

The third decision was to flee Egypt (Heb. 11:27). Moses’ own people misunderstood his motive in killing the Egyptian. When Moses tried to settle a dispute between two Jews, the one in the wrong answered him with contempt as though he were an intruder into other men’s business and a usurper of power over men. “Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? wilt thou kill me, as thou didest the Egyptian yesterday?” (Acts 7:27-28; Ex. 2:13-14). The Pharaoh learned about the taskmaster , s death and sought to slay Moses.

Moses fled to Midian, but not as a criminal in search of plunder nor as a coward who forsakes his divine mission in life. Moses did not know why he had been unable to effect the deliverance of God’s people, but he patiently endured this setback with confident assurance that God would somehow deliver His people. Moses fled not in humiliating terror of the king, but. “by faith” in God – even though he could not see God, nor as yet the things God promised. This is the same faith by which his parents had acted in sparing his life.

A fourth decision is described in Hebrews 11:28. When the Lord prepared the tenth plague, to destroy the firstborn in each Egyptian family, He told Moses to instruct the Jews to kill a lamb and to strike its blood around the door facing (Ex. 11-12). “By faith” Moses kept this appointment and thus the Lord protected the families of Israel. Moses could not see how God would destroy the firstborn; but based on God’s past faithfulness in keeping

His Word, Moses believed God would destroy them. Nor could Moses see how a lamb’s blood would protect Israel, but he put his hope in God’s promise. Moses decided by faith to keep the passover.

The fifth decision was to cross the Red Sea (Heb. 11:29). This crossing was made possible by a miracle which caused the waters to part and to stand as walls on either side of a dry pathway (Ex. 14). At God’s command, Moses lifted up his rod and the waters parted. Moses obeyed by faith. He with Israel crossed over on dry land, by faith. At the Lord’s bidding, Moses on the other side stretched out his hand again and the waters drowned the Pharaoh’s army which had attempted to follow. Moses acted in full assurance that Israel would escape Egypt’s army, though the way of escape was not immediately seen. Moses could not see the way, but he had God’s Word for it.

The chart below shows that each of the decisions in the life of Moses, summarized in Hebrews 11, was made “by faith.” “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Moses had faith, confidence, or assurance concerning God’s promises in spite of all contrary appearances. The decisions of Moses were based upon God’s promises of future blessings not as yet seen at the time of decision.

DECISIONS OF MOSES IN HEBREWS 11
By Faith	Decisions Made	Things Promised, Hoped For
V. 23, By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.	To Save Moses’ Life	Moses’ Life of Service to God
Vv. 24-26. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.	To Suffer for Right, Rather Than to Enjoy Sin	The Blessings Promised to God’s People and Handed Down Through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
V. 27. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.	To Patiently Endure in the Face of Setbacks	Deliverance of God’s People From Egypt
V. 28. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.	To Keep God’s Appointments in the Passover	Protect Children From Death
V. 29. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dray land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.	Crossed Red Sea Under Supernatural Circumstances	Escape Egyptian Army

We Must Make Decisions Today

If we have the faith of Moses, we will make decisions in life upon the same basis as he did. We will look beyond appearances to the promises of God. We will live by faith -by firm assurance in God’s Word. We will stand upon the promises of God in taking our stand with His people, sharing with them the reproach of the world. We will fulfill the task God sets before us, in the face of every obstacle. The key is faith – faith in the invisible God and in the rewards not as yet seen but promised by God.

Suffer For Right Rather Than Enjoy Sin

Moses decided to count himself with the people of God, to share their suffering and their hope, rather than to share the wealth, the power, and the pleasures of sin offered to him in the royal courts of Egypt. Today, God is calling the sinner to forsake the temporary pleasures of sin, to stand for the right even in the face of suffering, and to share the blessings of His people. We must make decisions which are hard, even wrenching. To give up the advantages of the court may be like plucking out our right eye or cutting off our right hand, but better this than for the whole body to be “cast into hell” (Matt. 5:29-30). The decision can be made by faith!

By faith in the gospel, sinners can repent, confess Christ, and be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9-10). They will wear the stigma of belonging to “that narrow-minded little sect.” Doors of opportunity in business will close to them because they will not social drink, go to night clubs, laugh at filthy jokes, use profane language, make deals under the table, give kickbacks, or lie to promote a product. Educational doors will shut against some young people who do not want to attend prestigious Sodom and Gomorrah University, where there are no Christians with whom to associate. Other Christians will suffer the consequences of refusing to parrot evolutionary theories and other vain philosophies in the classroom, either as teacher or as student. At times children of God may turn down lucrative promotions rather than to take a position where ungodliness is demanded or to live in a place where their children cannot have the support of godly friends.

Patiently Endure In Face of Setbacks

By faith Moses decided to fulfill the mission God had assigned him. Moses by faith left Egypt, not knowing how God would deliver Israel just as Abraham hoped against hope for a child (Rom. 4:18). Like Abraham, Moses endured every discouragement, obstacle, apparent failure, and challenge in order to serve God and to receive the promised blessing.

A major lesson in the book of Hebrews is the necessity of patient endurance or perseverance in serving the Lord. We are to “hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (3:14), “hold fast our profession” (4:14), “go on unto perfection” (6:1), “through faith and patience inherit the promise” (6:12), “believe to the saving of the soul” (10:39), and “run with patience the race that is set before us” (12:1). Moses left Egypt but not his faith, “for he endured as seeing him who is invisible” (11:27). He was steadfast, strong, devoted, unremitting, and constant in faith.

Besides bearing up under the king’s anger, he suffered the taunts of his own weak and erring brethren (Ex. 3:13-14; Acts 7:25-29). This latter trial he was to bear again and again while leading Israel in the wilderness. Moses’ conduct under this pressure gave rise to the following remark: “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3). This is to say, the faith of Moses included gentleness under provocation; by self-restraint, he put strength under control. Moses and Aaron broke down under the weight of this trial upon one important occasion and thereby forfeited the right to enter Canaan (Num. 20:7-13).

Today, men of endurance in God’s service are desperately needed! To serve God, we must go forward, growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ, never looking back. There will be trials, troubles, sorrows, and temptations, but we must keep on keeping on. Obstacles will arise, but we must overcome them by faith. The world around us is trying to seduce us away from spiritual interests with the desire for more and more material things. Some brethren are so deep in business, social, recreational, or political affairs that they have almost no time for prayer, personal Bible study, reading religious journals, soul winning, Bible classes, gospel meetings, or even the regular appointments for worship. Indifference abounds and the love of many is growing cold. We need to make some hard decisions about our priorities, put God first, give Him one hundred percent, and run with patience the race set before us.

Elders, deacons, Bible class teachers, evangelists, and other Christians are falling victim to immorality. Endurance in moral purity is needed so badly at this very hour! Some brethren who have fought battles for truth in the past are compromising the principles they once defended. They are apologizing to those in sinful error for what God has wrought in separating His people from the ranks of digression (1 Cor. 11:19). Others are retiring from the fight and stepping to the sidelines, tiring of the constant need to press forward in the heat of battle. The Lord is looking for those who will determine to be steadfast and constant – “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Eph. 6:10).

As Moses was tried by the taunts of his own weak and erring people, we must resolve to endure murmuring, complaining, carping criticism, and backbiting among those who ought to encourage, strengthen, and comfort us. When this happens, it will not help to lick our wounds in self-pity, to trade boldness and plainness of speech for timidity in hope of relief from our critics. Jesus Himself suffered at the hands of His own people. But, he came to do the Father’s will and did not stop until it was done’ Jesus was consumed with zeal for God’s house and for God’s work Qn. 2:7; 4:32). Let us pray for the meekness of Moses and of Jesus Himself, “who did no sin, neither was ,guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:21-23).

If we can enjoy the encouragement of brethren we respect and love as we go forward, thank God for it. If we must suffer instead their taunts, let us count it all joy to suffer with Christ and go forward anyway! If we stumble like Moses under the provocation of taunting brethren, let us pray for pardon, pray for our weak brethren, and pray for strength to press forward yet again.

Look To The Lord and The Reward

The decisions of Moses were made by faith. Moses “had respect,” or literally, “was looking way,” unto the recompense of the reward. He fastened his eyes upon the promised blessing in making each decision. He “endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” His gaze was fastened not upon fallible men or earthly obstacles, but upon God Himself. That is the secret to making decisions by faith.

We must, like Moses, turn our eyes away from other things and fix them upon the Lord. Who will make the decisions and sacrifices which help to raise up a Moses? Who, today, will suffer for the right rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin? Who will patiently endure in the face of setbacks? Who will keep God’s appointments? Who will go forward by faith, taking the way of escape when the enemy of our soul pursues? The decision is mine! And yours!

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 17, pp. 513, 536-538
September 1, 1983