Hall of Faith

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. Hebrews 11:24-28. Hebrews 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith." It lists the patriarchs in the Old Testament who continued to believe God's promise of Messiah and His kingdom, despite having never seen the fulfillment here on earth. One of those people is Moses, a great leader and prophet, yet a man filled with flaws. He committed murder, became a fugitive on the run, married a non-Hebrew, and was afraid to answer God's call to deliver Israel from bondage due to a speech impediment.  But Moses' most famous gaffe was while in the wilderness--he struck the rock twice to bring forth water for a disgruntled and thirsty Israel. God had instructed him to speak to the rock, but thinking he knew better, Moses struck the rock like he had before. He didn't know this rock was prophetic of Jesus Christ being stricken, beaten, and bruised only once for sins so that the living water of eternal life could spring forth to mankind.  Because of this act, Moses was condemned to the wilderness, never able to enter the promised land. That may seem like a harsh penalty for disobedience, but a holy God demands perfection under the law, especially when the act is prophetic of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. And yet, in reading Scripture's recording of Moses in Hebrews 11, there is no mention of his human faults and sins. What is recorded is his allegiance to the Jewish nation, esteeming the afflictions of Christ as greater riches than the earthly riches of Egypt! In addition, he is  recorded as having endured the wrath of Pharaoh, because his eyes were fixed on an invisible savior! How can this be, when Jesus didn't come along until thousands of years later? And don't forget that by faith, Moses also instituted the Passover, instructing Israel to put lamb's blood on their door posts to avoid the death of the first born. Surely, he didn't have a full understanding of any of these acts, but  did them anyway out of obedience. If you read this chapter of Hebrews and never perused the book of Exodus, you might conclude Moses never wavered in his belief. But we know this wasn't the case at all! What is the answer? God doesn't record the flaws and shortcomings of those who are believers in His son, Jesus--including those who came before the cross. Because Jesus took on all sin and bore the curse of the law, He suffered the legal penalty and received the fullness of God's wrath. Today, as born again believers in His death and resurrection, we are forgiven of all our sins (they have been put away once and for all), and we are new creations in Christ Jesus--as righteous as He is. The truth of this reality is so lofty for the human mind that it takes a revelation from the Holy Spirit to fully understand it. But like Moses, we don't have to understand all the things of God before accepting them as true and acting upon them. Believing in God's Word and acting in accordance with that belief is what our heavenly Father considers. So rejoice in the good news of the Gospel! Like Moses, all your faults, shortcomings, and sins cannot change the reality of the new birth and what Jesus did for you on the cross! You are loved and forgiven!