RETURN TO SYLLABUS
HEBREWS 11:30-12:2
LESSON #29
FAITH AND THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

v     MEMORY VERSE: PHIL 4:11

v     READ HEB 11:30-31  THE FAITH OF JOSHUA AND RAHAB

Ø      READ JOS 5:13-15 (JOS 6:1-23)

§          JOSHUA'S FAITH:

·        BACKGROUND:

¨      JERICHO MEANS "FRAGRANT WITH SPICES"

Ø      THE NAME SIGNIFIES THE ALLUREMENT OF THE WORLD

§          IT WAS NOT A BIG CITY, ONLY 7 ACRES, BUT IT WAS A MIGHTY FORTRESS WITH DOUBLE WALLS.

·        GEOGRAPHY:

¨      GEOGRAPHY WAS IMPORTANT IN WARFARE.

·        THE INHABITANTS:

¨      THE PEOPLE WERE CANAANITES, FIRST MENTIONED IN GEN 10:18. THEY WERE THE INHABITANTS OF SODOM & GOMORRAH. (GEN 13:13  GEN 19:1-28).

Ø      GOD HAD BEEN PATIENT WITH THESE PEOPLE AND GIVEN THEM WARNING SIGNS OF IMPENDING DOOM THROUGH RUMOR: REMEMBER THAT RAHAB HAD HEARD THE RUMORS.

§          THE FALL OF JERICHO IS A RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT FOR A DETERIORATED MORAL CONDITION.

·        THE PLAN OF STRATEGY:

¨      WHAT WAS THE MARCHING PLAN?

Ø      FOR 6 DAYS THEY HAD TO MARCH 1 TIME AROUND THE CITY IN SILENCE EXCEPT FOR THE BLOWING OF TRUMPETS.

Ø      THE 7TH DAY THEY WERE TO MARCH 7 TIMES AROUND AND THEN SHOUT.

Ø      THEN THEY WERE TO MARCH STRAIGHT AHEAD TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE CITY.

§          BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A BIG CITY, BY THE TIME THE LEADING PEOPLE WOULD GET ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CITY, THE LAST GROUP WOULD JUST BE STARTING. THEREFORE, THE CITY WOULD BE TOTALLY SURROUNDED BY THE MARCH OF THE ISRAELITES.

¨      GOD'S INTENTIONS:

Ø      WHAT WAS GOD TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH THIS PLAN?

§          GOD COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE RITUAL, SO WHY THE RITUAL?

·        IT WAS DEMORALIZING AND CONFUSING TO THE CANAANITES.

·        IT WAS A TEST OF FAITH AND OBEDIENCE FOR THE ISRAELITES.

·        IT CREATES A BOND OF UNITY AMONG THE ISRAELITES

¨      THE BLAST OF THE RAM'S HORN:

Ø      WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BLAST OF THE RAMS HORN (5)?

§          THE RAM’S HORN WAS USED ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE YEAR OF JUBILEE (EVERY 50 YEARS) AND ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT. THEREFORE, IT SIGNIFIES FREEDOM AND REJOICING.

·        THE NUMBERS 6 AND 7 IN JOSHUA 6 ARE VERY IMPORTANT AS ARE ALL NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE:

¨      6 DAYS = MAN'S EFFORTS

¨      7TH DAY = A DAY OF REST: ENTERING INTO GOD'S REST. (SEE NOTES ON HEB 4)

¨      7 TRUMPETS = GOD GETS THE COMPLETE GLORY FOR VICTORY.

¨      7 TIMES AROUND = GOD'S NUMBER OF COMPLETION AND PERFECT TIMING.

Ø      NOTICE THAT GOD’S COMMANDS VIOLATE THE MOSAIC LAW:

§          THEY HAD TO MARCH ON THE SABBATH INSTEAD OF RESTING.

§          THE PRIESTS WERE INVOLVED IN THE SEIGE OF JERICHO, WHILE THE MOSAIC LAW SAID THE PRIESTS WERE NOT TO GO TO WAR.

§          THE ARK OF THE COVENANT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN TO WAR.

·        WHY THESE VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW?

¨      GOD WAS PROVING A POINT. VICTORY DOES NOT COME TO THE BELIEVER BY KEEPING THE LAW. VICTORY COMES BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH.

¨      FOR WHAT DID JOSHUA HAVE FAITH?

Ø      JOSHUA BELIEVED GOD FOR THE VICTORY TO TAKE THE CITY.

¨      WHAT ACTION WAS INVOLVED IN HIS FAITH?

Ø      THE ISRAELITES HAD TO BE OBEDIENT TO FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN EVEN THOUGH IT MAY HAVE SEEMED SILLY TO THEM.

§          APPLICATION FOR US:

·        IN THE BATTLE OF LIFE, THERE'S A TIME TO BE STILL AND WAIT ON GOD. (EXO 14:13)

·        GOD SAYS WE SHOULD STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.

·        KNOW THAT GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT.

¨      JUST AS THE PEOPLE HAD TO HAVE FAITH FOR 7 DAYS, WE NEED FAITH TO WAIT FOR GOD'S PERFECT TIMING.

·        THERE IS A SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST THE STRONGHOLD OF OUR ENEMY, SATAN. (EPH 6:12-18)

¨      THERE IS A SUPERNATURAL ENEMY TO OUR FAITH. SATAN DESIRES TO SEE OUR FAITH FAIL SO THAT WE LOSE THE VICTORY. WE MUST BATTLE OUR ENEMY TO MAINTAIN OUR FAITH.

·        FAITH, OBEDIENCE, AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE ARE IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS TO VICTORY.

·        IF WE DO OUR PART, GOD GETS THE GLORY.

¨      GOD'S STRATEGY IS PERFECT.

§          RAHAB'S FAITH  (JOS 2:1-21):

·        RAHAB'S CONFESSION OF FAITH. (JOS 2:9-13)

¨      ON WHAT WAS HER STATEMENT OF FAITH BASED?

Ø      SHE HEARD THAT GOD HAD GIVEN THE LAND TO THE JEWS.

Ø      SHE KNEW THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND WERE DOOMED.

Ø      SHE KNEW THAT GOD DELIVERED THE JEWS FROM EGYPT.

Ø      SHE HAD HEARD RUMORS OF ISRAELITES VICTORIES IN THE DESERT.

Ø      THE GOD JEHOVAH IS THE ONE TRUE GOD.

§          SHE USED THE NAME JEHOVAH ELOHIM, THE JEWISH NAME FOR GOD.

Ø      SHE MADE AN APPEAL FOR MERCY FOR HER FAMILY.

Ø      SHE HAD FAITH IN GOD'S ABILITY TO SAVE HER HOUSEHOLD.            

¨      FOR WHAT DID RAHAB HAVE FAITH?

Ø      SHE HAD FAITH FOR THE PHYSICAL SALVATION OF HER HOUSEHOLD THROUGH THE COMING BATTLE.

Ø      SHE HAD FAITH FOR SPIRITUAL SALVATION.

¨      WHAT ACTION WAS INVOLVED IN HER FAITH?

Ø      SHE HID THE 2 SPIES.

Ø      SHE ASKED FOR SALVATION.

Ø      SHE TIED THE SCARLET CORD IN THE WINDOW.

§          THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SCARLET CORD:

·        IT IS A PICTURE OF FAITH WITH WORKS (JAM 2:24-25)

·        IT IS A PICTURE OF THE BLOOD LINE OF CHRIST.

¨      SHE BECAME THE WIFE OF SALMON, A PRINCE OF JUDAH.  (RUT 4:18-22  1CHR 2:11-12   LUK 3:32  MAT 1:5)

·        IT IS A PICTURE OR TYPE FOR SALVATION. (HEB 9:19-22  HEB 11:31)

¨      THIS ACTION IS REMINISCENT OF THE PASSOVER LAMB'S BLOOD ON THE DOOR POSTS--EVERYONE INSIDE WOULD BE SAVED. WHY DOES GOD REPEAT THE PICTURE? THE PASSOVER WAS FOR THE JEWS. THE SCARLET CORD WAS FOR THE GENTILES.

·        WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM RAHAB'S FAITH?

¨      GOD'S BLESSINGS ARE FOR ANYONE WHO ASKS.

Ø      READ JAM 1:5-8  JAM 4:2-3

¨      MAINTAINING FAITH IS NOT ALWAYS EASY IN THE FACE OF DANGER.

¨      AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAINTAIN YOUR FAITH IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.

v     READ HEB 11:32 - 12:2  THE HEROES OF FAITH FROM THE JUDGES, THE KINGS, AND THE PROPHETS:

Ø      GIDEON (JDG 6:11-40)  BARAK (JDG 4:6-24)   SAMSON (JDG 15:14-20)  JEPHTHAE (JDG 11:30-40)  DAVID (1SM 17)  SAMUEL (1SM 7:3-14).

§          THE POSITIVE EARTHLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FAITH:

·        THEY SUBDUED KINGDOMS (33).

¨      THIS REFERS TO GIDEON, BARAK, AND DAVID.

·        THEY BROUGHT ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS (33).

¨      THIS REFERS TO GOD'S PROPHETS.

·        THEY OBTAINED PROMISES (33).

¨      THIS REFERS TO THOSE LIKE JEPHTHAE  (JDG 11:29-39).

·        THEY STOPPED THE MOUTHS OF LIONS (33).

¨      THIS REFERS TO THOSE LIKE DANIEL IN THE LIONS DEN.

·        THEY QUENCHED THE VIOLENCE OF FIRE (34).

¨      SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO ESCAPED DEATH IN THE FIERY FURNACE (DAN 3:23-28).

·        THEY ESCAPED THE EDGE OF THE SWORD (34).

¨      SOME PROPHETS DID, BUT SOME DID NOT.

·        THEY WERE MADE STRONG WHEN THEY WERE WEAK (34).

¨      THIS PROBABLY REFERS TO THOSE LIKE SAMSON (JDG 16:23-31).

·        THEY BECAME VALIANT IN FIGHTING THE BATTLE (34).

¨      LIKE JOSHUA, DAVID, AND SAMSON.

·        THEY TURNED ALIEN ARMIES TO FLEE (34).

¨      LIKE GIDEON, BARAK, AND DAVID.

·        WOMEN RECEIVED THEIR DEAD RAISED TO LIFE (35).

¨      THIS REFERS TO THE RAISING OF THE DEAD BY ELIJAH AND ELISHA (1KI 17:20-24  2KI 4:32-37).

§          THE POSITIVE HEAVENLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FAITH:

·        THEY WERE TORTURED NOT ACCEPTING DELIVERANCE (35).

¨      MANY PROPHETS WERE TORTURED FOR THEIR FAITH AND REFUSED TO RENOUNCE THAT FAITH IN ORDER TO SAVE THEIR LIVES.     

Ø      THEY HAD A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE. (HEB 11:35)

§          FAITH LIFTED THEM ABOVE THE EARTHLY PAIN.

Ø      THEY HAD TRIALS OF CRUEL MOCKING, SCOURGINGS, ENSLAVEMENT, AND IMPRISONMENT. (36)

§          PAUL IS AN EXAMPLE.

Ø      THEY WERE STONED (37).

§          STEPHEN AND PAUL ARE EXAMPLES.

Ø      THEY WERE SAWN IN TWO (37)

§          ISAIAH IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE PARTS OF HIS BODY WERE SAWED OFF.

Ø      THEY WERE KILLED WITH THE SWORD (37).

Ø      THEY WERE POOR AND DESTITUTE, AFFLICTED, AND TORMENTED (37)

§          JOHN THE BAPTIST IS AN EXAMPLE.

¨      IF ALL THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS MENTIONED IN HEBREWS 11 HAD FAITH:

§          DISCUSSION:  EXPLAIN WHY SOME OF THE SAINTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SAW THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED WITH GREAT MIRACULOUS VICTORIES AND OTHERS DID NOT?

·        THEIR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE MEANT THAT ETERNAL THINGS WERE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EARTHLY VICTORIES.

§          DISCUSSION:  EXPLAIN WHY SOME OF THEM SAW THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED AND WERE PROTECTED FROM SUFFERING, PERSECUTION, AND DEATH AND SOME WERE NOT.

·        THEIR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE MEANT THAT ETERNAL LIFE WAS FAR MORE VALUABLE THAN PHYSICAL LIFE.

§          DISCUSSION:  EXPLAIN WHY SOME OF THEM SAW THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED AND RECEIVED GREAT WEALTH AND MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AND OTHERS WERE POOR AND DESTITUTE AND DID NOT SEE THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED.

·        THEIR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF LIFE MEANT THAT ETERNAL RICHES WERE WORTH FAR MORE THAN EARTHLY POSSESSIONS.

¨      GOD HAS A PLAN FOR THE LIFE OF EACH BELIEVER. FOR SOME IT WILL MEAN GREAT EARTHLY VICTORY, FOR OTHERS SUFFERING AND DEATH. FOR SOME IT WILL MEAN WEALTH, AND FOR OTHERS POVERTY.

Ø      THE DIFFERENCE IS NOT IN THE WORTH OR CHARACTER OF THE BELIEVER. IT IS IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD.

Ø      THE DIFFERENCE IS NOT IN THE AMOUNT OF FAITH OF THE INDIVIDUAL, FOR HEB 11:39 SAYS THEY ALL HAD FAITH.

§          HOWEVER, IT ALSO SAYS THEY EACH RECEIVED SOMETHING BETTER (40) AND THAT THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY OF THEM (38).

·        IN OTHER WORDS, THEY EACH HAD AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE AND WOULD RECEIVE THE REWARD OF THEIR FAITH IN ETERNITY.

§          MANY TIMES WE CRITICALLY JUDGE OTHER CHRISTIANS FOR THEIR LACK OF FAITH BECAUSE THEY ARE SUFFERING, BECAUSE THEY ARE ILL, BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO HEB 11:36-38 THEY HAD FAITH AND ARE IN GOOD COMPANY.

·        WE ALL NEED AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE TO OUR FAITH!

v     APPLICATION:

Ø      HEB 12:1-2

§          A PRINCIPLE OF TRUTH:

·        THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAITH WITHOUT DIFFICULTIES.

·        THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAITH WITHOUT TESTING OF THAT FAITH.

·        HOWEVER, FAITH CONQUERS, WHETHER THE RESULT IS AN ANSWER ON EARTH, OR IN THE POWER OF ENDURANCE TO WAIT FOR BETTER THINGS IN HEAVEN.

§          THE ADMONITION:

·        WE HAVE A GREAT MULTITUDE OF FAITH HEROES TO DEMONSTRATE FAITH FOR US. THEREFORE, WE SHOULD PUT ASIDE SIN AND LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE PATIENTLY WITH AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. WE HAVE A GREATER ADVANTAGE (THE BETTER PROMISE) THAN THE OLD TESTAMENT HEROES OF FAITH.

¨      WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND A PERSONAL INDWELLING RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. IF THEY ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH MORE.

§          THE FOCUS:

·        LOOKING TO JESUS WHO IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH.

¨      JESUS INITIATES FAITH IN US. WE DON'T WORK IT UP BY OUR OWN WILL.

¨      JESUS COMPLETES OUR FAITH AS WE WALK WITH HIM DAILY IN OBEDIENCE, IN READING AND STUDYING HIS WORD.

·        THE KEY TO STRONG FAITH IS TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS, NOT THE OBJECT OF YOUR PRAYER, OR ON THE SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES. 

HOMEWORK
HEBREWS 12:3-13
THIS IS A SELF-STUDY. PLEASE DO NOT SEND HOMEWORK ANSWERS TO THE TEACHER FOR CORRECTION.

v     APPLICATION FOR HEB 11:30-12:2

§          IN LIGHT OF THE LESSON, DESCRIBE HOW ETERNAL IS YOUR       PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE?

§          WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS WEEK TO SEE THINGS MORE FROM AN ETERNAL       PERSPECTIVE?

v     PREPARATION FOR HEB 12:3-13

§          READ HEB 12:1-13  TRIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

¨      WHEN WE GET DISCOURAGED, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

¨      WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE IN PERSECUTIONS AND TRIALS?

¨      WHAT DOES CHASTENING ACCOMPLISH WHEN IT IS PROPERLY ACCEPTED?            

v      MEMORY VERSE:   HEB 12:6