Category: Hebrews

Moses in Egypt – Part 2

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Hebrews 11:23-26 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. 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 recompence of the reward. 

‘Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.’ Moses – faith’s declaration: Renounced sonship to Pharoah’s daughter and possible kingship of Egypt. He chose affliction with God’s people instead of enjoying the pleasures of sin (11:25). Esteemed the reproach of Christ greater than the riches of Egypt (11:26). Had his eyes fixed upon the reward of renouncing sin for Christ (11:26).

‘Refused’ [Greek: arneomai] is translated as refused (11:24; Acts 7:35) and denied 26 times (Matt. 10:33; 27:1-66; 1Tim. 5:8; etc.). He rejected sonship and kingship on earth to gain the same things in heaven.

‘Suffer affliction’ [Greek: sungkoucheo] to endure ill-treatment, wrong, hurt, or injury with another.

‘Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.’ Moses had a revelation of the coming Messiah and looked forward to His day, as did Abraham (John 8:56).

Moses in Egypt – Part 1

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Hebrews 11:23-27 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. 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 recompence of the reward. 

‘Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents.’ Amram and Jochebed -faith’s recognition (Exo. 2:2; 6:20; Acts 7:20). Jochebed took for Moses an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put him therein. Like Noah’s, it was made by divine command (Heb. 11:23; Rom. 10:17). It was a small boat made from papyrus reeds that grow 3 to 4,5 meters high above the marsh water of the Nile. The pith of the papyrus was used for food, and boats were made from the wood (Isa. 18:2). It was also used as paper (Isa. 19:7). Pharaoh’s daughter took Moses as her own child and her compassion defeated satan, preserved a nation, fulfilled prophecy, and furthered God’s plan for the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15; 12:1-3; 15:13-16; 46:3-4; 50:24). Josephus gives her name as Thermuthis and says she adopted Moses to succeed her father as ruler of Egypt. According to Josephus, Moses was put in command of the Egyptian war against the Ethiopians and conquered them completely.

God arranged it so that Moses’ own mother brought up the very child that was to defeat Pharaoh, and she was paid for it (Exo. 2:9). Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, evidently lived nearby, for his mother knew the habits and character of the princess, and placed Moses where she would find him. Moses means drawn out and comes from the same root word as in 2Samuel 2:17 and Psalms 18:16. He is mentioned 813 times; his history is found in Exodus 2:10 – Deuteronomy 34:12.

‘Proper’ [Greek: asteios] pretty. Translated as “proper” (11:23) and “fair” (Acts 7:20).

‘Were not afraid of the king’s commandment.’ They must have had some revelation from God on which to base their faith, for faith comes from reading God’s Word (Rom. 10:17).

To be continued…

Joseph

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Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 

‘Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.’ Joseph – faith’s authority (Gen. 50:22-26). Joseph lived in Egypt ninety-three years and his father’s descendants lived there 215 years. Joseph’s body was not taken to Canaan at death as was that of Jacob. It stayed in Egypt for about 144 years (Ex. 13:19; Jos. 24:32). In Genesis 50:26 we see the first and last mention of a coffin in the Bible. Coffins were not used among the Jews as in Egypt (2Kin. 13:21; Matt. 27:59-60; John 11:1-57). Joseph was – at his death – sixty-five years younger than Abraham (Gen. 25:7); seventy years younger than Isaac (Gen. 35:28); thirty-seven years younger than Jacob (Gen. 47:28); seventeen years younger than Sarah (Gen. 23:1); twenty-seven years younger than Ishmael (Gen. 25:17); and ten years younger than Moses (Deut. 31:2).

Genesis begins with God and ends with man; it begins with the creation of the heavens above and ends with a coffin in Egypt.

Jacob

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Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 

‘Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph.’ Jacob – faith’s tribal blessing (Gen. 48:1-22). Israel predicted that Ephraim, the younger, would be greater than Manasseh, the firstborn and that God would bring Israel to the promised land again. The tribe of Ephraim became greater in number, power and dignity (Num. 1:32-33; 2:18-20; Deut. 33:17). Ephraim became a name synonymous with Israel after the division of the kingdom of Israel (Isa. 7:2-17; 9:9; 11:13; 28:1-3; Ezek. 37:16, 19; Hos. 4:17; 5:13-14; 7:1-11; 8:9-11; 9:3-16; 10:6-11; 11:3-12; 12:1-14; 13:1-12; 14:8; Zech. 9:10-13; 10:7).

Jacob claimed Ephraim and Manasseh as part of the great nation that God had promised him. They became the heads of two of the twelve tribes of Israel. One took the place of Joseph and the other the place of Levi whose tribe became the priestly line and was not reckoned as one of the twelve tribes during the organization of the nation (Num. 1:1-15, 20-43; 2:1-34; 7:1-89; 10:14-28; 13:1-15; 26:1-65; 34:1-20; Jos. 13:7-33; Jdg. 5:14-18).

Jacob was named Israel (Gen. 32:28; 2Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3-4) by God, as well as his descendants (Exo. 9:7), and Christ (Isa. 49:3). The Hebrew word Yisra’el comes from sar, “prince”, meaning prevailed or ruled as a prince; and ’El, God, Strength, Mighty, the Almighty. It means Prince with God “for as a prince have thou power with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:28). He had prevailed with man (Gen. 25:29-34; 27:1-31:55); now he prevailed with God (Gen. 32:29-32).

The Old Testament is largely a record of the history of Israel and God’s revelation to Israel – their beginning as a nation (Gen. 29:21-30:43); their 430 years of sojourn (Gen. 12:1-Exo. 12:40); journeys and wanderings for over 41 years (Exo. 12:1-51 – Deut. 34:1-12); the conquest of Canaan (Jos. 1-24); experiences under the 16 judges (Judges 1:1 – 1Sam. 7) and under the 42 kings (1Sam. 8 – 2Kin. 25; 2Chr. 36:1-23); the captivities (2Kin. 25:1-30; Ezra 1:1-11); and the restoration as a nation under Ezra and Nehemiah. Scripture contains hundreds of prophecies concerning Israel.

Isaac

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Hebrews 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 

‘Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.’ Isaac – faith’s material blessing (Gen. 27:1-40).

We see in Genesis 27:28-29 the 36th prophecy in Genesis that was fulfilled. It predicted that Jacob would be blessed above Esau in material and spiritual things. This is the first prophecy of Isaac (cp. Gen. 27:39-40). Jacob received a tenfold prophetic blessing: God will give you the dew of heaven. God will give you the fatness of the earth. God will give you plenty of corn (wheat). God will give you plenty of wine (vineyards). God will let people serve you. God will let the nations bow down to you. You will be lord over your brethren. God will let your brothers bow to you. Cursed are those who curse you. Blessed are those who bless you.

The sixfold prophetic blessing of Esau follows in verses 39-40: The fatness of the earth. The dew of heaven. To be a warring nation. To be a servant of Jacob. Partial and temporary dominion. Freedom from Jacob’s yoke.

Abraham Offered Up Isaac

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Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 

‘Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac.’ Abraham – faith’s test: He had the promises. He offered up his only begotten son through whom the seed should come (11:18; Gen. 21:12). He had faith that if he killed his son in obedience, God would raise him from the dead to fulfil what He had promised (11:19). He received Isaac back from the dead, figuratively. We see the 29th prophecy in Genesis 22:8 fulfilled. The first prophecy of Abraham (Gen. 20:7). He spoke prophetically of God’s Lamb (John 1:29), and Christ’s crucifixion (1Pet. 1:19-23; 2:24; Rev. 5:5-10). This is the sixth prophecy of Christ as typified in Isaac and his substitute (Gen. 22:8-14).] Abraham’s faith was again demonstrated by knowing God would provide a sacrifice. He could not fully comprehend God’s command, but he had absolute confidence in His wisdom, love and care for himself and Isaac.

‘Only begotten son.’ The only begotten son by his legitimate wife, the only son of promise, and heir to his wealth.

‘That in Isaac shall thy seed be called.’ This is the 26th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (11:18; Gen. 21:12) – and the fifth prophecy concerning Christ in Genesis (Gen. 21:12 with Gal. 3:6-8, 16). Galatians 3:16 states: “And to thy seed, which is Christ.” 

‘Accounting’ – Reckoning, supposing, concluding.

‘Figure’ [Greek: parabole] Used in Hebrews 9:9 as a shadow of the realities in Christ (8:5; 10:1). Isaac was, as far as Abraham was concerned, dead; he thus became resurrected figuratively.

Strangers and Pilgrims On The Earth – Part 2

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Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he had prepared for them a city.

‘Country’ [Greek: patris] fatherland; native city (11:14; Matt. 13:54, 57; Mark 6:1, 4; Luke 4:23-24; John 4:44).

‘Mindful’ [Greek: mnemoneuo] to remember; to call to mind. Translated “be mindful of” (11:15); “make mention” (11:22); and “remember” 19 times (Matt. 16:9; John 15:20; Rev. 2:5; 3:3; etc.). They were not compelled to be strangers and pilgrims or to leave their native country for a heavenly city and country. They had the gospel (Gal. 3:8) and knew that their right to the promises came by utter renunciation of this world and its ways, and consecration to obey the One who made the promises.

‘Opportunity to have returned.’ They could have returned at any time to the place God called them out of, but they were true to Him and their faith in spiritual and eternal things (11:8-16).

‘Desire’ [Greek: oregomai] desire. Ten facts about Christians (11:13-16): They have not received all that was promised. They see clearly promised blessings. They are persuaded that the promises are true. They embrace all the promises. They confess that they are strangers on earth. They confess that they are only pilgrims on earth. They declare that they seek heaven. They are not mindful of earthly things. They are not willing to go back to the world. They desire a heavenly country.

‘Heavenly’ [Greek: epouranois] is that which pertains to heaven. Translated “heaven” (Php. 2:10); “heavenly” (Matt. 18:35; John 3:12; 1Cor. 15:48-49; Eph. 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 2Tim. 4:18; Heb. 3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 9:23; 11:16; 12:22); “high places” (Eph. 6:12); and “celestial” (1Cor. 15:40).

Strangers and Pilgrims On The Earth – Part 1

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Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he had prepared for them a city. 

‘Promises’ The faith-worthies died in faith, not yet receiving their promises. There are twenty-five unfulfilled promises: Becoming a great nation (Gen. 12:2). A great name (Gen. 12:3). Their blessers blessed. Their cursers cursed. All nations blessed through them (Gen. 12:3; 18:18). The promised land (11:8; Gen. 12:3; 13:15; 15:18; Acts 7:5). Innumerable seed (11:12; Gen. 13:16). Many nations from them (Gen. 17:6, 16). Many kings from them. Covenant with their seed (Gen. 17:7). Ishmael a great nation (Gen. 17:20). Their descendants serve God in righteousness (Gen. 18:18-19; Luke 1:70-75). Their descendants served God in Canaan (Gen. 15:13-14; Acts 7:6-7). The complete fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 18:19). Their seed possesses their enemies (Gen. 22:17-18; Luke 1:71-74). A heavenly city (11:10, 16). A heavenly country (11:14-16). The salvation of the heathen (Gal. 3:8). A spiritual seed (Rom. 4:16; 9:8). First coming of Messiah (Gal. 3:16; Luke 1:68-75). Death of Messiah and defeat of satan (11:4, 17-18; Gen. 3:15; Gal. 3:13-14). Second coming of Messiah (11:5; Jude 1:14-15). Resurrection (11:10, 16, 19; Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2). Eternal life to come (11:10-16; Gen. 17:8; Matt. 8:11; 22:32; Luke 1:55). Eternal inheritance (11:10-16; Gal. 3:17-18, 29; Luke 1:68-75).

‘Embraced’ [Greek: aspazomai] Translated as “embrace” (11:13; Acts 20:1); “take leave of” (Acts 21:6); “greet” 14 times (Rom. 16:3-11; 1Cor. 16:20; etc.); and “salute” 37 times (Matt. 5:47; 10:12; Rom. 16:5-23; etc.).

‘Strangers’ [Greek: xenos] Translated as “stranger” (11:13; Matt. 25:35-44; 27:7; Acts 17:21; Eph. 2:12, 19; 3Jn. 1:5); “strange” (Acts 17:18; Heb. 13:9; 1Pet. 4:12); and “host” (Rom. 16:23). It refers to people who are outside their own country; foreigners.

‘Pilgrims’ [Greek: parepidemos] (sojourners; not permanent dwellers; not naturalized (1Pet. 1:1; 2:11).

To be continued…

Sara

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Hebrews 11:11-12 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 

‘Sara’ – faith’s reckoning: Received strength to conceive seed. Was delivered of a child when past age (11:11; Gen. 17:17, 19; 21:1-8). She reckoned or counted God to be true to His word (11:11; cp. Rom. 4:19). She was as good as dead as far as having children was concerned (11:12). Innumerable seed came from her by God’s power through faith (11:11-12).

‘Received strength’ – Received here; given from above. Sara was 90 years old when she fell pregnant with Isaac.

‘To conceive’ [Greek: katabole] casting down. The idea is not only to conceive but to bring forth.

‘Sprang’ [Greek: gennao] Translated as “sprang” (11:12); “gender” (Gal. 4:24; 2Tim. 2:23); “conceive” (Matt. 1:20); “be delivered of” (John 16:21); “bring forth” (Luke 1:57); “beget” 24 times (Matt. 1:2-16; Acts 7:8, 29; 13:33; 1Cor. 4:15; Phm. 1:10; Heb. 1:5; 5:5; 11:23; 1Jn. 5:1, 18); “bear” (Luke 1:13; 23:29); “be made” (2Pet. 2:12); and “be born” 35 times (Matt. 1:16; 2:1, 4; 19:12; 26:24; Mark 14:21; Luke 1:35; John 1:13; 3:3-8; 8:41; 9:2, 19, 20, 32, 34; 16:21; 18:37; Acts 2:8; 7:20; 22:3, 22:28; Rom. 9:11; Gal. 4:23, 29; 1Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18).

Abraham and the Land of Promise – Part 2

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Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

‘City’ – The new Jerusalem, the capital city of God over the universe (11:10, 13-16; 12:22-23; 13:14; Rev. 3:12; 21:1-22:5).

‘Builder’ [Greek: technites] is an architect, one who plans, calculates, and constructs a building. Translated builder (11:10) and craftsman (Acts 19:24, 38; Rev. 18:22). From the same Greek root we have the word tekton which means a carpenter, one who is a builder and constructor (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). The word is used in contempt of Christ. The Lord chose this occupation in preference to being a shepherd, like David. Christ is the great Architect, Designer, and Fabricator of all material creations (11:10; John 1:3; Eph. 3:9), and of all moral creations of all moral creations (Co. 1:15-18). He is the Preparer, Arranger, and Constitutor of the ages and dispensations (1:2; 11:3; Isa. 9:6). God worked through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:30).

‘Maker’ [Greek: demiourgos] is a maker; author; magistrate; one who calls men to work. Employed only here in the Bible, but this Greek term was used by the Gnostics of the Creator of the world.