Hebrews 11:20-31
Q.1. What did the father’s blessing mean to the sons of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph? – (Heb.11:20-22)
We learn from Genesis 28:1-9 that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, whereas Esau purposely displeased his father, Isaac. The blessing of Isaac properly belonged to the submissive son. Jacob also prophesied, and – blessed his sons, everyone with the blessing appropriate to him (Gen.49:28). Joseph also proved to be a man of faith when he expressed his confidence in God and said to his brothers – I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob (Gen.50:24). The blessing of God was in fact a faith promise and prophecy.
Q.2. How did the faith of Moses direct his actions and affections? What made his choices so significant? – (Heb.11:23-29)
The writer informed us that it was because of Moses’s faith, that he chose to suffer with the people of God – 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin (Heb.11:24-25). His faith led him to see that the rewards were out of this world – considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward … as seeing Him who is unseen (Heb.11:26-27).
Q.3. What miracles resulted from the faith of the Israelites under Joshua? – (Heb.11:30-31 c.f. Josh.6:16-17, 22-25; Mt.1:5)
The battle-plan that brought down the walls of Jericho could only make sense, if we factor in God. Through Joshua’s obedience, Rahab the harlot was saved, and was miraculously included in the family tree of King David, and of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mt.1:5).