ner of eating the evening sacrificial meal showed their belief that this pre diction would come to pass even as God had said. Anyone who was indifferent toward God might have been tempted to neglect Moses’ instructions, either for the Passover or for the journey preparations. But the faith of Moses and Aaron had inspired their peo ple until they obeyed, even to the ex tent of doing the impossible in cross ing the Red Sea, and triumphed against the might of Pharaoh. Leading the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage was a real tri umph of faith for Moses, who had been so fearful when God first called him. But these miracles in Egypt were not Moses’ last triumphs. With few exceptions, every day of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness was a triumph of Moses' faith, for he practically pulled the Israelites along step by step. If he had faltered in his leadership, they would surely have perished along the way. As the years passed, he not only cared well for them and inspired them as they proceeded slowly and o fte n under great hardships toward the Prom ised Land, but also trained a leader to take his place. God indicated His choice and Moses’ vision of faith made hint prepare Joshua for the task of taking the people into Canaan and of leading them in their battles against its heathen inhabitants. Hebrews 11:30— By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they . were compassed about seven days. 3 i— By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believeth not, when she had received the spies with peace. The author of this letter must have found it difficult to choose his exam ples from among the countless in stances of faith at work as portrayed in the Old Testament. In choosing the siege and victory over Jericho, however, the writer has given us an interesting contrast — the faith of a whole army of God’s chosen people and the faith of one unlikely woman from among the unbelievers. It is sometimes easy to stir up a crowd to an impulsive action, but it is not easy 33
Reaching with ease for a high note is tenor soloist and missionary Norman Nelson, a reconl Biola Campus guest artist. aoh. The Old Testament says he feared when he realized his deed had be come generally known, and fled from Egypt when Pharaoh sought to kill him (2:14, 15). The New Testament, however, says he did not fear Phar aoh’s wrath (Heb. 11:2). It all de pends on what you are emphasizing. He did not fear the king enough to be craven collaborator, but he was afraid he would be killed if he stayed around, so he fled. Hebrews 11:28— Through faith he (Moses) kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that de stroyed the first-born should touch them. 29 — By faith then parsed through the Red Sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. During the last 40 years of Moses’ life he experienced some remarkable triumphs because of his faith, only two of which are mentioned in this passage. The institution of the Pass- over sacrifice, with its sprinkling of blood on doorposts and lintels, and its unusual evening meal, (eaten while standing in traveling garments) de manded faith on two accounts. God had said He would send the destroy ing angel to slay the first-born of the Egyptians, but that if the Hebrews would slay the sacrificial animal and sprinkle its blood according to the des ignated pattern, their children would be safe (Exod. 12:3-13). He had also told them that afterward Pharaoh would hurriedly send them out of the land, and that they must be prepared to leave a t once. Their unusual man
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