Hebrews
11:23-31 Freedom
through Faith
By
faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because
they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s
edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of
Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of
God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered
for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was
looking ahead to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s
anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. By faith he
kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the
firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the people passed
through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to
do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been
encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with
those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
****
It’s not safe to be a believer! In
each of the images given in this selection from Hebrews, faith is paired with
risk. Moses’ parents risked the retribution of Pharaoh by keeping their baby when
the death of all newborn males had been decreed. The adult Moses risked the
persecution of Pharaoh by choosing to embrace his Jewish faith. All those who
observed the first Passover trusted in their faith to protect them from the
risk of the plague against the first born in Egypt. The theme continues in the
other examples.
We may not have to deal with a
vengeful Pharaoh or the pursuit of chariots but there is still risk today for
faithful Christians. Yes, there is obvious danger for those who serve in missions
in countries that are antagonistic to Christianity, but in a different way
there is a kind of risk even to us in our day to day lives. How many are
reluctant to reveal that they are active in their faith to colleagues in the
workplace, acquaintances, or sometimes even relatives, for fear of being
branded with negative connotations? We need to be confident in our faith, and
grateful for the gifts and benefits God pours out to us through our faith, and
be bold to proclaim our love of God in the face of any risk that poses in this
environment that dismisses God in so many ways.
I can’t leave this scripture selection
without asking…..did you notice the verse that says: (Moses) considered abuse
suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt.
We don’t often think of Christ sneaking into Old Testament stories. But it
makes sense in terms of the understanding of God as the Trinity and, as stated
in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever. But that’s a topic for another reflection!
Prayer: God of all our support, strengthen
our faith so that we can lean on you when loving you presents us with risks and
challenges. Amen.
Mary Beth Commisso is a member of
Trinity Lutheran Church, Brewster, NY
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