READ: Heb. 11:28-31: By faith he kept … By faith they passed … By faith the walls … fell down … By faith … Rahab did not perish …
In chapters 3 and 4, the unbelief of Israel was described as a warning . Now, for emulation, we see acts of faith during the exodus from Egypt and the entrance into Canaan. There was faith in the unseen. Moses demonstrates faith when instituting the Passover. The Israelites are to prepare for their departure and apply the blood of a lamb to their doorposts. This requires faith because they do not yet see the destroyer who will pass over and spare them. Instead, they see Pharaoh, who is becoming increasingly hardened and merciless. Yet they obediently do as Moses instructs them.
Moses also strikes the water, at God’s command, creating a path through the sea. It takes faith to walk on that path through the sea. The Egyptians, who do not believe, meet their doom there.
After crossing the Jordan, Israel encounters fortified cities, which had previously instilled fear. They are commanded to march around Jericho seven times, with the promise that God will deliver it into their hands. However, this maneuver may seem pointless and make them vulnerable to their enemies. Once again, faith is required. Faith in God and His Word, even when they cannot see the outcome. The people demonstrate this faith, and God’s Word proves true!
Then, the author provides an example of faith in a pagan woman, Rahab the prostitute. Faith knows no boundaries. Rahab herself does not receive a promise, yet she believes in God. She acknowledges Him as the mighty God in heaven and on earth (Josh. 2:11). She is different from her fellow countrymen, who are “disobedient,” just like the disobedient Israelites (3:18; 4:11). Faith produces faith-obedience (James 2:25, 26). Rahab illustrates this as she hospitably receives and helps the spies. She and her family are spared by Joshua, and she even becomes an ancestor of the Lord Jesus (Matt. 1:5, 6).
How is our faith assured?
Singing: Ps. 86:4