Hebrews 11:27-29 Faith keeps us fearless in the face of great danger

Hebrews 11:27-29

27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Background

By faith, Moses fled Egypt while holding on to hope of returning. By faith, the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry ground as the waters parted. By faith, the Israelites entered into a blood covenant with God and were delivered from Egypt. Today’s passage teaches us that faith keeps us fearless in the face of great danger. The covenant of Christ’s blood is the only way to salvation and deliverance from evil.

Observation

By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

Moses, in a feat of zeal killed an Egyptian soldier who was beating a Hebrew slave. The matter became known to the Pharaoh and Moses fled Egypt. Pharaoh was already infuriated by the slaying of the soldier and Moses by absconding a direct order to appear at court would certainly incur greater wrath. Therefore, Moses by his leaving was considered as not being afraid of the king’s rage. He lived as a fugitive and sojourner in the land of Midian for 40 years during which he continued to harbor the vision of a free Israel. Moses “endured” in a sense that he continued to hold on to the promise of the invisible God in hopes that he may one day return to his Hebrew brothers. By faith, Moses obeyed when he was summoned by the awesome event of the burning bush to return to Egypt to demand the release of the Israelites (Exodus 3:1-4:18). By faith, he endured the fierce cosmic contest of power and will with the Pharaoh.

28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

All eyes were focused on Moses’ bid to force Pharaoh to release his grip on the Israelites. Moses’ careful attention to the detailed instruction concerning the Passover celebration was evidence of faith. He believed that God would spare the firstborn of Israel when the angel of death executed judgment upon Egypt. The sprinkling of the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe of a house with the Passover lamb marked the household for salvation: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” Exodus 12:13. In faith, Moses and the Israelites complied with the instructions of the Passover. Protected by God, their firstborn children and livestock were spared from the plague of death that ravaged the Egyptians.

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

The angel of death killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt forcing the Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The Israelites fled on foot and encamped at the banks of the Red Sea. When Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued the Israelites, they were terrified by the approach of the Egyptian army and complained bitterly. At the critical moment, Moses and the Israelites exhibit faith in that they were prepared to attempt the impossible at God’s directive. The people acted in faith at the command to “go forward” (Exodus 14:15) and walked on dry land trusting God to hold the water until they crossed to the other side. The Egyptian soldiers attempted to duplicate this feat but became mired in the mud. The waters returned to their normal place and the Egyptians were drowned.

Truth

The safest path is the path of truth. It is common practice to form alliances with others in an attempt to fortify your position. Hence, the unwritten rule to never expose the weakness of those within the alliance and to watch one another’s back. This form of loyalty supersedes the primacy of truth. And members of the alliance will do all to protect one another’s interest even at the expense of the truth. However, our most powerful ally is our almighty God who has legions of angels under His charge. Hence, it is wise to form an allegiance with God by walking in the truth. When we tread on the path of truth, He protects us from all harm and evil. Moses must decide if he should return to capitulate to Pharaoh or to flee Egypt in allegiance with God. But he was not afraid of the Egyptian war machine because he believed in God’s protection over him. As long as he walked in path of truth, no earthly powers could come near. The Psalmist says,

A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you… No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:7,10-11

The Israelites crossed the Red Sea as if walking on dry land. The path of truth may seem challenging and impossible. But God will make a pathway through the forest and rivers through the desert. Therefore, as we endeavor to walk in the path of truth, no evil can come near us. The path of truth may seem dangerous, but it is paved by God and guarded by angels on all sides.

Men’s only protection and salvation is Christ’s blood covenant. We may be able to fend off powers that we can see, but it is the unseen power that is deadly. The prince of this world seeks to manipulate and deceive through the unseen agents of darkness. Spiritual warfare involves confronting the powers of darkness with the covenant of Christ’s blood which is our offense and defense. Many atheists supposed they could take on the world singlehandedly and became proud because of their initial success. Hence, many of them fell as soon as they rise. Moses and the Israelites were confronted with an Egyptian war machine and the powers of darkness rolled into one. What delivered them was not physical might but the covenant of the blood. It is the blood that frees us from the curse of sickness, poverty and death. Therefore, we must make a blood covenant with God and to walk in His ways. In doing so, we will continue to prosper under God’s love and protection.

Application

Are you accustomed to depending on people to protect you? Is your decision making more pragmatic than principled. Hence, you are always fearful if others may betray you or certain dangers may suddenly befall you. Perhaps it is time to simplify things by walking on the path of truth and let God protect you.

Dear Lord, I commit myself to walk on the path of righteousness. I fear no evil because you are with me. Your blood covenant protects me from powers that I cannot see. Give me wisdom to discern with eyes of faith and to walk on the path of righteousness. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.