Walking By Faith

Dear class,

The readings for today are taken from Numbers 12-14 and Revelation 19.

The passages from Numbers illustrates vividly, both positively and negatively the true concept of what it means to walk "by faith".

Let us first revisit 2 central verses concerning "faith".
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

This as we seen and have seen previously, faith is a concrete concept. Faith can and must be developed through and only through His Word.

Firing the opening salvo is a negative example of that of Miriam and Aaron.
In a rather disappointing turn of events, it was now Miriam and Aaron's turn to turn their backs against their brother, Moses.
The blood relationship not withstanding, we recall it was Miriam, right form the very beginning who witnessed the great faith of her mother in attempting to bring up Moses and the greater providence of God who in the end saw it through that Moses was raised up and not just in any way, but in the wisdom and ways of the Egyptians, which was to prove invaluable in the ultimate encounter with Pharaoh. And of course, Aaron, the spokesman, was by the side of Moses all this while, witnessing and attesting to the great faith demonstrated by His brother.
Yet in a petty show of envy and jealousy, over a seemingly legitimate reason, Miriam and Aaron sought to usurp the authority of Moses.
First up, we note that the actions, however right and justified, will never cover our intentions. Moses may have been wrong in their sight to marry a foreigner (c.f. Ex 34:16) or maybe enter into a polygamous relationship. However, it is clear that the reason why his siblings spoke up was not to correct their brother but only out of envy. It is no coincidence or even something put in out of the blue that Num 12:3 pointed out that Moses was the meekest person above all men which were upon the face of the earth. If there had been anyone who would be the first to shy away from the limelight, it would be Moses! Recall his great reluctance in the encounter with God at the burning bush. (Ex 3,4) The only reason why Moses was where he was, was because God had commanded him to!

Then, the lack of faith between the 2 older siblings was evident because they did not trust in God's chosen. How was it manifest? Was it because they had witnessed Moses' incompetence (e.g. the example of King Saul)? Was it because Moses had sinned and/or led the people to sin? (In fact it was Aaron who has first failed in the incident of the gold calf!) No. They did not have faith, they did not trust God, not because of Moses inadequacies but on the contrary, in spite of the great works God had performed through Moses.

And then was the dual example of great faith and equally great lack of it - the account of the 12 spies.
It was the the same group of spies that sought out the same places, saw the same things and brought back the same produce. Yet what a vast difference in attitudes between Caleb and Joshua and the rest of the spies!
In the eyes of Caleb and Joshua, the fine produce of the land was further testament to God's promise of the "land flowing with milk and honey". Yet, the rest of the spies chose to ignore the part that God promised but focus on the inhabitants.

Caleb and Joshua showed great faith in that they wholly believed in what God had promised. The fact that they physically saw the rich produce was but a bonus to their proper understanding of the nature of God. Notice their accurate observation in verses 14:7-9
And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

Blind faith? FAR from it! On the contrary, what the Israelites displayed was blind disbelief. It was faithlessness IN SPITE of the evidence! The rock solid faith of the 2 spies was based upon God's Word and the numerous works brought to pass by The Lord. Faith that was demonstrated by doing what God had commanded and being convinced that God will bring His promises to pass.

How do we walk by faith? It's not about flipping a coin and letting God "decide". It's not about making choices that have no basis whatsoever. It's not about sincerely pursuing what one perceives to be pleasing to God.
It's simply about taking God at His Word and carrying it out. It's about focussing on doing what is right before Him. That is what Moses did, in spite of the odds and challenges. That is what Caleb and Joshua did in spite of the opposition and even risk of death.

This is what we should do even today. Remember, with God, we are the majority! Let us continue in our walk of faith, that we too may finally lay hold on life eternal.

in Him
Paul


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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; ~ Titus 1:2,3