Hebrews 11:30-31 A person’s faith is hardwired to his bodily and spiritual discipline

Hebrews 11:30-31

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Background

The Israelites cultivated spiritual and bodily discipline through the regime of encircling the city for seven days. Without discipline, there is no faith for victory. Rahab saw the righteousness of the God of Israel and preserved the life of the spies. Her conviction and determination saved her family from certain destruction. Today’s passage teaches us to increase our faith by being disciplined in our spiritual regime and daily tasks. In times of conflict, we must choose to speak and walk in the truth. Although, we may lose some alliances and incur the wrath of some, we will prosper in the longer term.

Observation

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

The inhabitants of Jericho were Canaanites who worshipped idols, were immoral and did evil in the sight of God. It was God’s intention to cleanse the land of Canaan by destroying cities that were incessantly evil. As Jericho was a fortress that was virtually impregnable, it required the supernatural act of God to destroy it. Joshua and the people of Israel were tasked to destroy Jericho which was the first city of Canaan. The specific instructions given to Joshua was to march around the city once every day for six days and on the seventh day for seven times. The people complied with the instructions God had given, and their faith was rewarded. On the seventh day, “and when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city” John 6:20.

There is much discussion on the purpose of having the Israelites march around the city once every day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. For sure, God did not need the Israelites’ help in breaching the city walls as the armies of heaven were well able to do so. However, the Israelites were tasked with sanctifying the land of Canaan which only the sons of God could. The act of encircling the city in silence instilled unity and spiritual discipline into the Israelites, critical for the building of faith. The Jericho campaign carried instructions of abstinence from the spoils of the city and that the city must be burned with fire, and all that was in it. Only the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. Joshua 6:24. Without discipline, the people of God would not be able to take the land for the Lord and sanctify it.

31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Rahab welcomed and housed the Israelites when they came to spy on the city. Rahab acted in defiance against her home city because she saw the wickedness of the people of Jericho and the righteousness of the God of Israel. In faith, Rahab said, “For the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” Joshua 2:11. Rahab must have struggled, searching for her true allegiance before settling for the almighty God of heaven and earth. This conviction of the righteousness of God engages the whole person and was what committed her to act – to preserve the life of the spies.

Truth

A person’s faith is hardwired to his bodily and spiritual discipline. The authenticity of a person’s faith is revealed in times of dire turmoil. A person’s ability to handle financial stress and other challenges of life is hardwired to his personal discipline. Discipline is defined as the ability to subject one’s heart, mind and body to the ways of the Spirit. A disciplined person is steadfast in living according to God’s ways despite a myriad of circumstances. Before the people of Israel could take the land of Canaan, they had to be able to submit themselves to the instructions of God. Putting them through a daily regime of marching around the city helped to constrain their hearts, minds and bodies as one people to the bidding of God. Faith is the practice of rejecting the temptations of unbelief, divisive and distracting urges. This regime built within them the necessary faith to take the land of Canaan. In spite of this, Achan took banned articles from Jericho that resulted in the defeat of Israel at Ai, a much smaller city. Without discipline and obedience, we can do nothing against the powers of darkness.

When you are torn in your allegiance, choose the God of heaven and earth. The believers’ allegiance is constantly challenged at the work place, in the social circle, in the family as well as in the church. When you are torn between the values of God and the culture of your organization or community, choose the God of heaven and earth. To choose God is to stand for the truth every time and not give in for the sake of peace. Some people in order to avoid dissent compromise on the truth. As a result, they walk down the path that is accursed with darkness, the end of which is failure. They forego enduring prosperity for a moment of peace, and true freedom for temporal truce. Rahab was caught in a dilemma of patriotism or betrayal, death or life. Rahab chose life. Some people want to avoid persecution from their family reject Christ, and some blend into the culture of their company in order to survive. The end of which is personal failure and destruction. One cannot choose life and expect peace; peace and expect life; it is either one or the other. Jesus said,

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter- in- law against her mother- in- law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34-39

Application

  1. Do you consider yourself a disciplined person? Do you stick to the tasks that you have set out to do? Do you keep to the regime of bible reading and prayer? Do you always deliver on what you have promised? Start by being disciplined in your sleeping and waking hours, your physical exercise and diet, your bible reading and prayer, responsibility towards your family and your church. Then you will increase in power and the favor of God.
  2. Are you a person who is afraid of conflict in that you bury the problem in order to achieve some kind of truce? The way to solve problems is to apply truth and grace. Truth – by helping people understand the principles needed to achieve their goals. Grace – by helping people accept one another’s weaknesses. In a nutshell, the approach to solving conflicts is to state the truth that all must conform to in order to prosper together. At the same time, give one another the space and time to grow towards that truth.

Dear Lord, give me the grace to conform my mind, heart and body to the ways of the Spirit. I cut myself off the sins and hindrances that deter me from becoming more like you. Give me confidence and wisdom to speak the truth clearly in times of conflict. Help me to be a unifying factor in my community, workplace, church and family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


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