OceanSide church of Christ

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THE PAST ENCOURAGES THE PRESENT

Hebrews 11:24-26

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The primary exhortation to the Hebrew Christians to whom the book was written is:  “Be faithful!”

 

B.      The writer has already used examples from the past to encourage his readers.

 

C.     In Hebrews 11, the writer turns to the examples of faithful individuals from the past.

 

D.    Outline of the chapter:

 

i.                    FAITH (Heb. 11:1-3)

ii.                  FATHERS (Heb. 11:4-22)

iii.                FOUNDER (Heb. 11:23-31)

iv.                FEARLESS (Heb. 11:32-38)

v.                  FASTENING (Heb. 11:39-40)

 

I.                   FAITH (Heb. 11:1-3)

 

II.                FATHERS (Heb. 11:4-22)

 

A.    It is interesting that the inspired writer does not go back to Adam and Eve as the first example of faith.

B.      Abel (Heb. 11:4)

C.     Enoch (Heb. 11:5-6)

D.    Noah (Heb. 11:7)

E.      Abraham (Heb. 11:8-19)

F.      Isaac (Heb. 11:20)

G.     Jacob (Heb. 11:21)

H.    Joseph (Heb. 11:22)

 

III.             FOUNDER (Heb. 11:23-31)

 

A.    Faith Rescued Moses (Heb. 11:23)

1.      The Concealment (Heb. 11:23a)

2.      The Cause (Heb. 11:23b)

3.      The Courage (Heb. 11:23c)

 

B.      Faith Refused Egypt (Heb. 11:24-26)

1.      The Cessation (Heb. 11:24)

a.      His faith (Heb. 11:24a)

 

By faith Moses, when he was come to years…

 

1)      Moses exercised his faith in this act.

2)      He did it, “when he was come to years.”

a)      When he became great.

b)      When he was in full maturity.

3)      This action was completely his.  He was influenced by no one else.

4)      LESSON:  In adulthood, we still have to make difficult choices with regard to our spiritual lives.  The right choice is the choice that is made in faith (See Heb. 10:38-39).

 

Now the just shall live by faith:  but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them which draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

 

b.      His forbiddance (Heb. 11:24b)

 

…refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

 

1)      As the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, there were many advantages that were afforded Moses:  power, position, wealth, ease, honorable marriage.

2)      NOTE:  None of these things were sinful in and of themselves. 

3)      But, he refused.  The son of Pharaoh’s daughter is not who he was. 

4)      LESSON:  Who are we?  Are we children of the wicked one?  Are we residents of the world?  Are we the children of wrath?  Are we the children of darkness?  If we are not, then we need to refuse to be called such!

2.      The Choice (Heb. 11:25)

a.      The choice was twofold:

1)      To suffer affliction with the people of God (negative)

2)      To savor the pleasures of sin for a season (positive)

b.      The choice

 

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

           

1)      The chasm between the choices is so wide

a)      Egypt, a world power vs Israel, a servant nation

b)      Freedom vs servitude

c)      Pleasure vs suffering

d)     Immediate rewards vs long-term rewards

2)      He chose to suffer affliction

a)      Strong (4778):  maltreatment, suffer persecution with

b)      Thayer:  to be ill-treated, to share persecutions

c)      Lightfoot calls the choice Moses made:  “the choice of self-denunciation.”

3)      LESSONS

a)      Our choices seldom present the magnitude of discrepancies this one did, and, they are still hard for us to make?

b)      If you had been Moses, which choice would you have made?  NOTE:  The choices we make now are an indicator of the choice we would have made had we been Moses.

3.      The Cause (Heb. 11:26)

 

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:  for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

 

a.      He saw the riches.

1)      This involved his immediate perspective.  Moses “esteemed the reproach.”

a)      Strong (2233):  to deem, to consider

b)      Thayer:  to consider, deem account think

c)      LESSON:  There is a need to stop and think about things as we make our choices.  We must honestly consider both the here and now, as well as, the later and then.

2)      He saw reproach as greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt.

3)      Being reproached because one is a follower of God is a blessing

a)      Matthew 5:10

 

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

b)      I Peter 4:14

 

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:  on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

 

b.      He saw the reward: 

1)      Moses knew of the rewards that await God’s people after this world is over.

2)      He had “respect” for the recompense of the reward.

a)      Strong (578):  to intently regard

b)      Thayer:  to look at attentively, to look with a steadfast mental gaze

c)      Moses knew the reward would be paid by God.  There was no doubt in his mind.

3)      “The ability to look beyond today’s pleasure to tomorrow’s payment is a trait too undeveloped in our day” (Keesee as quoted by Wacaster, p. 466).

4)      LESSONS:

a)      What is your view toward suffering for the cause of Christ?

b)      Do you truly have respect unto the recompense of the reward?

c)      Moses was trained by his mother for a period of time.  She did a masterful job in teaching him about spiritual things.

-          He knew he was a Jew, a child of God.

-          He knew where to put his priorities.

-          He understood the benefits of suffering.

-          He knew something about the Christ, the Messiah to come (“the reproach of Christ)

-          He knew God had eternal rewards for his people.

-          He knew sin’s pleasure only lasts a season.

-          He understood self-control and the need to practice it.

-          He trusted that God was faithful to pay those rewards.