Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 11:27 - 11:27
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Our apostle having described the faith of Moses, with respect to his sufferings with the people of God, in the former verses, comes now to instance in the power and activity of it, with respect to their deliverance, in these verses.
Where note, 1. The spiritual fortitude which attended his faith, He forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; even the wrath of the greatest king upon the earth, is to be disregarded, if it lies against our duty to God.
Note, 2. The reason or ground of this his fortitude and courage, He endured as seeing him who is invisible; that is, he saw him by faith whom he could not see by sense; he saw him in his omnipresence, power, faithfulness, and a had fixed trust in him at all times, and on all occasions.
Learn hence, That there is nothing insuperable to faith, whilst it can keep a clear view of the power of God, and the promise of God.
Note, 3. The commendation of Moses's faith, from a due observation of a double ordinance of worship, namely, the passover, and the sprinkling of blood.
As to the former, Moses's faith in keeping the passover had respect to its divine institution, to the command for its perpetual observance, to the sacramental nature of it, to the mystical or typical signification of it.
Learn hence, That a vigorous and lively exercise of faith is always required unto the right and due celebration of a sacramental ordinance; By faith he kept the passover; it follows, --and the sprinkling of blood. This was a temporary ordinance and observation annexed to the first celebration of the passover, not repeated afterwards; the sprinkling of the blood on the side posts of their houses, was a token that the destroying angel should pass over those houses, and that none should be destroyed in them; but this rite, though it ceased with the first passover, yet it abides for ever in its mystical signification; God hereby teaching us, that unless we are sprinkled with the blood of Christ, our paschal lamb, no other privilege can secure us from the displeasure of God, and everlasting destruction; By faith he kept the passover, and sprinkling of blood, Heb_11:28.
Note, 4. A farther instance of the power and efficacy of Moses's faith in passing through the Red Sea, Heb_11:29 probably he entered first into the sea, at the head of the people himself, both to conduct them, and to encourage them; the water doubtless was raised to a very great height on both sides of them; and though they were a wall unto them, yet it was a mighty act of faith to put themselves between such walls as were ready every moment to fall upon them, had they not been under an Almighty restraint.
Learn hence, That faith will overcome all fears and dangers, and find a way through a sea of difficulties, under the call and at the command of God.
But how came it to pass that the Egyptians, going in the same path through the Red Sea, were drowned in which the Israelites were preserved?
Answer The Egyptians entering in was an act of presumption; the Israelites, was an act of faith; God commanded the Israelites to go through; now as faith gives courage to obey God in difficult duties, so it gives encouragement to hope that safety shall evermore accompany duty.