The 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews is
commonly known as the "Faith" chapter because it is rich in lessons on
faith. This ongoing series, "Faith", takes a close look at the lessons
we can learn from this chapter. For previous lessons on Faith, go to www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/folder4/Faith%20--%20A%20Miniseries.htm
Faith, Lesson 12
By Faith Abraham, Part 4 . . .
In last week's lesson on faith, looking at Hebrews 11:7, we learned from
Abraham that when God tells you to do something, even if it is something that is
as unGodlike as offering your firstborn child as a burnt offering, you can trust
Him enough to know that when you obey, God is able to raise the dead. There is a
fourth important lesson in faith that we can learn from Abraham, and
interestingly, this stems from parts of Abraham's life that are NOT mentioned in
Heb. 11. As a result, our search today takes us first to Gen. 12:
"Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to
live there for a while because the famine was severe. As he was about to enter
Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, 'I know what a beautiful woman you are. When
the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me
but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for
your sake and my life will be spared because of you." (Gen 12:10-13 NIV)
First of all, there is no record anywhere that says anything about GOD telling
Abram to go to Egypt. Abraham left Ur to go "to the land that I will
show you" (Gen. 12:1), totally following God's command, but when the
circumstances turned unfavorable, he didn't wait for God's guidance-he just fled
to Egypt. And to make matters worse, he asks his wife to tell a lie for him to
save HIS own life!
Many lessons can be learned from this story, but for now, let's just focus on
the fact that Abram, by acting in fear, by moving to Egypt, by asking his wife
to lie for him, was NOT acting in faith. In fact, it could be recorded that
"by NOT acting in faith, when there was a famine in the land, Abram went
down to Egypt and asked Sarai to lie for him". But the book of Hebrews
doesn't say that, does it? In fact, nowhere will you find this statement, or any
other that points a finger at Abraham and criticizes him for what he's done.
Let's jump to another segment of Abraham's life. "so [Sarah] said to
Abram, 'The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my
maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.' Abram agreed to what
Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife
took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife.
He slept with Hagar, and she conceived." (Gen. 16:2-4)
Abraham had been promised a son. He was told on several different occasions that
he would be the father of many nations (see Gen. 12:1-3,7, Gen. 14:13-14, and
Gen. Chapter 15), yet at over 85 years old (see Gen. 16:2), he still had no
child. His wife, barren all her life, was now well past childbearing age, and
when she suggested that he take her servant as a wife, he readily agreed.
Ishmael was born and trouble began. In fact, there would be strife between
Ishmael and Isaac their entire lives, and there is still trouble between their
descendents. Yes, Hebrews could have recorded the following: "by NOT acting
in faith, Abram agreed to what Sarai said. He slept with Hagar, and she
conceived, and the world is still reeling from the punches." But it isn't
there. Neither is the incident mentioned negatively anywhere else in the Bible.
In fact, Paul uses this very incident to illustrate for us the difference in the
new and old covenants!
Why are these two obvious moments of lack of faith never mentioned in Heb. 11?
Because friend, God is more interested in our moments of faith then in our
moments of weakness. When we accept the gift of His son, suddenly the records no
longer talk about our lack of faith. The only mention for any of us becomes what
we do in faith.
Enough to ponder, friends. But do ponder this: When we, in faith, accept Jesus'
gift of righteousness, all of our moments of lack of faith are erased from the
record, and the only thing God remembers is our moments of faith.
Have your moments of lack of faith been erased from your record, friend? Have
you accepted in faith, Jesus' gift of righteousness? If not, why not do it
today?
Join us next week for the next lesson in Faith to be learned from the life of
Isaac.
God bless you!
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Author, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets, www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/
, Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org
.