“And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after” (Hebrews 3:5).

Like Abraham, the life of Moses provides us an impressive example of genuine faith. Though Moses’ origins were humble, by God’s providence and Moses faith, he accomplished great things for God. Hebrews 11:23-27 gives a listing of the things which the inspired Hebrew writer wanted us to understand, things that would encourage faithfulness to God.

First, genuine, saving faith is fearless. By faith, Amram and Jochabed saved Moses from destruction as an infant, by hiding him in an ark of bulrushes and setting him in the Nile (or one of it’s tributaries). This was done in faith and therefore they must have received some instruction from God in this regard (Rom. 10:17). This godly couple chose to obey God and risk their own lives to save their son for some great purpose God had in mind for him, ultimately, the deliverance of the people of God. Disobedience to Pharaoh, however, could have meant death, but obeying God was much more important to Amram and Jochabed. Can the same be said of us? Is God’s will important enough to us that we are willing to loose our lives to obey Him. Certainly the first century church thought so (Rev. 2:10; Acts 8:1-4; etc).

Second, genuine, saving faith does the right thing even when it is the hard thing. It is tempting to take the easy way out of a difficult situation. But unless that easy way is the right way, and it usually is not, then it is a course of action that should not even be considered. Moses could have taken the easy way out and remained in the court of Pharaoh, even, perhaps, possibly taking the reigns of power. He could have refused to consider the plight of his own people and his life would have been easy. He could have justified, in his own mind, staying in power so that some time later he might show a kindness to his people when he had more leverage.

But Moses chose to do the right thing, which was the hard thing, and stand with the oppressed people of God. His actions would have offended the Pharaoh, his daughter, and the Egyptian people. who had embraced him as one of their own. But it was the right thing to do. In our lives we may find ourselves in a situation where telling the truth will cause some people, maybe even people we love, to be hurt. And no matter how much we temper it, the truth will still hurt. In that situation, will we have the faith of Moses? We may find ourselves in a situation where the truth leads us to have to part company with loved ones, or friends. When that happens, will we have the faith of Moses to do the right thing even though it is the difficult thing?

Third, genuine, saving faith endures even under withering attacks. Moses was able to lead the people of God out of Egyptian bondage, even facing tremendous challenges. Pharaoh opposed him, The people of Egypt despised him. Death traps appeared constantly before him. Great obstacles lay in his way. Even his own people questioned his leadership and challenged him and accused him. But Moses had the kind of vision that leaders of faith have for he saw Him who is invisible and he endured. He did not stagger at the promise of God. Do we have that kind of faith? Do we have faith to follow the Lord’s will and let the chips fall where they may? Do we trust that if we seek first the kingdom of God all things we need will be added unto us (Matt. 6:33)?

Fourth, genuine saving faith obeys God even when doing so doesn’t always seem to make sense to us. Why build an ark when it had never even so much as rained? Why should I leave Ur and go to a place I have never even heard of before? How can I, an old man, have children? How does being immersed in water save me? How does prayer work? Why should I attend worship or take the Lord’s supper? Why does God require this foolish preaching? How does painting blood on my door post protect me from death? Moses understood the power of the word of God. God said. That settles it. And I believe it. That is the posture of faith.

Finally, genuine saving faith will go forward even when there seems to be great obstacles in the way. Moses and the children of Israel were apparently trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea. To go back, they would be slaughtered by Pharaoh’s troops, the instrument of satan to destroy the seed of the woman. Before them lay the great red sea and death by drowning. What do you do in this situation? You obey God! “And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” (Exodus 14:15). Even when it seems like we are trapped in sin and there is no way out we must know that God has prepared a way of escape. Paul tells us this example of Moses is given to us for an example, that we might know that “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Cor. 10:1-13).

Moses was verily faithful in all his house and he provides a great example for us to follow.

Eric L. Padgett