Return to Series on Hebrews 11                Return to Sermons Index                Return to Home Page

Presented, October 23, 2005 am

FAITH – THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR (9)

Inheriting Canaan – Hebrews 11:30-31

Today, we continue our study of faith according to Hebrews 11.  It is my hope that we have been impressed with the importance of faith in our lives.  And that we have learned that true faith involves believing God and trusting Him, as well act acting in trust.   In our lesson today, we note the final examples in which we are given specific events in the lives of those mentioned.  We deal with two events associated with Israel inheriting Canaan. 

I.                     Jericho Falls – Faith Accepting God’s Gift (30)

a.        The account:  We now move 40 years ahead after crossing the Red Sea.  Israel remains in the wilderness for 40 years because of their rebellion when instructed to enter about 38 years earlier (12 spies in the land for 40 days and they return with an evil report).  All who were above 20 years of age at that time (Numbers 14:29) would die in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb, because of their faith in God.  Even Moses has died as Israel prepared to enter Canaan because of a sin he was guilty of. 
The text for the fall of Jericho is found in Joshua 6.  They have safely crossed the Jordan River (also miraculously) into Canaan– their Promised Land - and are encamped awaiting further instructions from the Lord.   Joshua is now Israel’s leader.   Before crossing the Jordan River, 2 spies (not 12) were sent to spy out the land again, especially Jericho.  In Jehb9 hides the spies as the men of the city heard they were there.  Her faith will be discussed in a few moments. 
The Lord gives Israel some strange instructions to conquer Jericho.  Their army is instructed to march around the city once a day for six days, following 7 priests with trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant.  On the seventh day they were to march around the walls 7 times and then the priests would blow a long blast, the people would shout and the Lord promised that the walls would fall down flat.  Israel obeys God EXACTLY and He gives them the city.  It was their first victory in conquering the land of Canaan.

b.       Accepting God’s gifts to us –

                                                   i.      Note how the Lord begins His instructions to Joshua (6:2), “And the Lord said to Joshua, See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.”    It is interesting to note that this city is described as a gift.

                                                  ii.      He has given us many good gifts.  James 1:17 – every good and perfect gift is from above…
Romans 6:23 – “…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “By grace you have been saved…it is the gift of God”

                                                iii.      Salvation is something we have to accept from Him.  But how do we do that?
Note the elements mentioned in Ephesians 2:8-9 – His grace, our faith & obedient works – NOT earned works. 
There are many who want to remove one or more of these three elements – some teach grace only (pure Calvinism), some teach faith only (you only have to believe in Him) and some teach works only (it depends on what you do more than your attitude – certain acts of Catholicism – e.g. Infant baptism, former sale of indulgences, etc.).  BUT true salvation involves ALL THREE.
Consider the example of the fall of Jericho

1.        It was a gift (6:2) – God’s grace

2.        Israel had to believe Him – our text says they had faith (Heb. 11:30)

3.        They had to obey (works – not meritorious, but based upon their faith) – Joshua 6:12-14, 20-21.

4.        What about Ephesians 2:9 which says our salvation is “not of works”?  The reason is given – “lest anyone should boast”.  Paul’s point is we cannot earn our salvation.  But that does not mean we do nothing.  Even when you receive a gift you have to do something – namely ACCEPT IT.  If there are terms they must be followed – but it is still a gift (of greater value than the action required).  So it is with our salvation – IT is a gift of God – BUT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT IT.  How?  By obeying God’s instructions – Mark 16:16, etc.  AND we have to remain faithful as well.

c.        Their test of faith – Following God when it doesn’t make sense. 

                                                   i.      The instructions God gave strategically made no logical sense.  I believe He did that on purpose – 1) to test their faith and 2) to prove that He was with them.  In delivering the city the way He did – it showed conclusively that it was a gift.  Yet He expected them to do something.

                                                  ii.      Will we obey God’s instructions?  What about when they don’t make sense?
Other than the symbolism some see baptism as illogical.  What does getting immersed in water have to do with being saved?  Every other step in our salvation makes sense – Hearing, belief, repentance and confession – but why baptism?  The answer is BECAUSE GOD SAID SO!  We don’t have to understand why he required water but He did – just as Israel may not have understood why He told them to march around Jericho for 7 days but He did - and that settles it.

d.       Maintaining by faith –

                                                   i.      A side lesson dealing with faith here is the fact that while Israel had received the land; they still had to secure it.  God gave it to them – but they had to keep following His instructions, work to subdue it and remain faithful to Him to retain it.  The book of Joshua is about that.

                                                  ii.      When we have received salvation through obedience we have to endure as well.  We must keep following His instructions, work to overcome the will of the flesh and endure to the end.

1.        Jesus said, “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22, 24:13)

2.        Remember the concern of the Hebrew writer in our text – “You have need of endurance” (Hebrews 10:36)

II.                   Rahab is Spared – Faith’s influence (31)

a.        The account:  Our text actually deals with two different occasions that led to Rahab’s salvation.
Joshua 2 records Rahab receiving and hiding the spies from Israel.  This time there are only two spies are sent into the land.  They are spying Jericho and stay at the house of Rahab, the harlot.  When men of the city heard word that these men had come to spy they went to the house of Rahab and inquired.  She lied to them saying they had already left.  Her conversation with them is interesting.  Josh 2:9 says, “(she) said to the men: "I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.”  She notes how they were aware of the Red Sea crossing and major victories Israel had while in the wilderness.  She knows that her ONLY HOPE OF BEING SPARED is faith – TRUSTING them and BELIEVING God. 
In return for protecting them, she made them promise that when Israel conquered the land, especially Jericho that she and her family would be spared.  They agreed and gave her specific instructions – her family had to keep quiet, and when the city was conquered they had be in her house.  In addition to this, she was to have a scarlet cord in the window through which she helps the spies escape.
Joshua 6:22-24 records that Joshua had instructed the two spies to bring out Rahab and her family and their possessions before they utterly destroyed the city.  Thus because of Rahab’s FAITH – she and her family were spared.

b.       Faith comes by hearing

                                                   i.      We are familiar with Romans 10:17.  Here we find an example.

                                                  ii.      Rahab had heard about the great things God had one for Israel and she KNEW what Jericho’s fate was – BY FAITH.

                                                iii.      We must never forget our awesome responsibility to instill faith in others by living and teaching God’s word.

c.        Our faith can influence others

                                                   i.      We just noted that what caused Rahab to believe was hearing about Israel’s past accomplishments.  Accomplishments that were a result of THEIR FAITH (such as crossing the Red Sea).

                                                  ii.      Our faith CAN influence others – so it is important that we live by faith. 
Note what James says in 2:18 we show our faith BY our works.

                                                iii.      Matthew 5:16 says that when we let our light shine, it causes others to glorify God.

                                                iv.      AND don’t forget that she saved not only herself, but also her family along with her.

d.       Finally, Salvation is available to all by faith

                                                   i.      Rahab was not an Israelite.  Yet because of her faith she too could be saved.

                                                  ii.      And don’t forget about her past – she was a harlot (prostitute).  She even lied to save the spies.  But even one like that could be saved.  1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “such were some of you”

                                                iii.      2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”

                                                iv.      Let us keep this in mind as we find opportunities to reach the lost.

                                                 v.      NOTE also that Rahab had to obey the instructions give her – just as we do.

e.        An interesting side note to Rahab.  She is mentioned two other times in the New Testament. 

                                                   i.      James 2:25 speaks of her being justified “by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way.”

                                                  ii.      ALSO, Matthew 1:5 where she is mentioned as the mother of Boaz who married Ruth.  The point of this text is that she was a part of the lineage of Christ.  The remarkable conclusion of faith.

Thus we can see faith as the land of Canaan is given to Israel.  Truly these are remarkable examples of faith.  As the writer continues his discourse, there are others examples of faith mentioned merely by name.  In our next lesson we will notice these – some well known and others more obscure, but faithful men and women just the same.  How is your faith?