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Hebrews 11:23–31 “Two Forms of Resistance on the Journey of Faith”

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5–7 minutes

Hebrews 11:23-31 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

The author continues by introducing the story of Moses. His parents hid the baby for three months despite Pharaoh’s command—this act was done “by faith” (v. 23). In Exodus 2:2, it says, “When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months.” The phrase “a fine child” should be understood to mean that the child was special.

The phrase “refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” (v. 24) means that Moses gave up a life of royal comfort and luxury. The author defines this choice as “enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin” (v. 25). Knowing his true identity but still clinging to his royal title would have been sinful, and continuing to live in the palace meant accumulating sin daily. Moses chose to abandon the splendor of palace life and instead “be mistreated along with the people of God.” This was a decision that would have been impossible without faith in God.

Here, the author defines the suffering Moses endured as “disgrace for the sake of Christ” (v. 26). Christ—the Messiah—was with God from the beginning and was God (John 1:1). The one who came in the flesh and dwelt among us is Jesus of Nazareth. Moses’ suffering aligns with that of Jesus Christ in that both endured hardships to deliver God’s people from oppression and exploitation. Though Moses faced insult and suffering, he “was looking ahead to his reward.” This means he believed God would not let his sacrifice and devotion be in vain.

The phrase “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger” (v. 27) is interpreted in two ways: some see it as referring to when Moses fled to the wilderness of Midian after committing murder; others understand it as referring to the Exodus, when Moses stood up to Pharaoh and led the Israelites out of Egypt. Given the statement “he persevered because he saw him who is invisible”, the latter interpretation appears to be more accurate.

On the night the Israelites left Egypt, they smeared lamb’s blood on the doorposts of their homes—an act that could only have been done by faith (v. 28). Crossing the Red Sea “as on dry land” (v. 29) was also possible only through faith. When the Egyptians tried to follow, assuming they could do the same, they all drowned.

The author skips over the forty years of wilderness wandering that took place after the Exodus. This may be because he already discussed the tabernacle at length earlier. Among the events that took place during Israel’s settlement in Canaan, the author highlights the fall of Jericho (v. 30) and the story of Rahab (v. 31). The account of Jericho’s fall is found in Joshua 6:1–21, and Rahab’s story appears in Joshua 6:22–25.

Meditation:

To live by faith means to obey the will of God. God’s commands and calling often go beyond our own reasoning and understanding. Sometimes, they even go against the norms and values of our world. There are times when we must give up things we once enjoyed or willingly take on suffering.

Therefore, living by faith requires us to face two forms of resistance: internal fear and external— the world’s opposition.

Fear arises when our confidence in God’s calling begins to shake. That’s why the author previously emphasized that, in order to come to God, we must believe two things: (1) that God exists, and (2) that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (v. 6). Only with that kind of faith can we respond in obedience to God’s call—and by doing so, we bring Him joy.

The world does not sit idly by when we choose to obey God’s calling. The “world” can be our beloved family, our coworkers, or even people in positions of power. When following God’s will causes discomfort or loss for them, they may oppose us or even persecute us. And when we face such external resistance, our internal fear often grows even stronger.

Because of this, many people begin the journey of faith but drop out along the way. Some retreat out of fear, while others give up when confronted by external opposition. By doing so, they no longer have to deal with fear, inner turmoil, or conflict. But they also miss out on witnessing the amazing things God is doing.

The path without faith may feel safe, but it is a dull life. The path of faith may feel risky, but it is a life full of excitement and wonder.

Prayer:

Lord, our fallen nature longs for the path that is safe and comfortable. But that path leads to a dull and meaningless life, ending in emptiness. Help us to choose the narrow and difficult road, and on that road, allow us to witness the amazing things You are doing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Living by faith means trusting and obeying God, even when it feels scary or goes against what the world says. Faith helps us overcome fear and follow God, even when it’s hard, because we believe God is with us and will do amazing things.

  • For Preschool-Elementary
    • What does “trust God” mean even when we don’t understand everything?
    • Moses chose to help God’s people instead of living like a prince. What do you think helped him make that choice?
    • Have you ever felt scared to do what’s right? What did you do?
  • For Youth
    • The devotional discusses two kinds of resistance on the faith journey—fear and the world’s opposition. Which one do you feel more often, and how do you usually respond?
    • Moses gave up a life of comfort to follow God’s call. What might that look like in your life today?
    • Do you think it’s possible to live a faithful life quietly and humbly? How can faith be expressed in small, quiet ways?
    • What does it mean to “see the invisible God” like Moses did (Hebrews 11:27)? How can that help you keep going when things get hard?

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