How does Hebrews 11:23 demonstrate faith in God's protection and provision? Key Verse “By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict.” (Hebrews 11:23) Backdrop: Threat and Opportunity • Pharaoh’s decree: “Every son that is born you must cast into the Nile” (Exodus 1:22). • Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20) understand the danger yet perceive God’s purpose in their child. • Three months of hiding = three months of trusting God daily for silence, secrecy, and supply. Faith Expressed in Courageous Obedience • “Were unafraid of the king’s edict” — faith silences fear of man (Proverbs 29:25; Acts 5:29). • Civil disobedience flows from higher allegiance to God’s commands over human decrees (Daniel 3:17–18). • Their actions proclaim, “God’s promises to Abraham will not be stopped by Pharaoh” (Genesis 15:13–14). Trusting God’s Protection • God shields the helpless: Psalm 91:1–2; Isaiah 54:17. • Hiding Moses is not reckless; it rests on the conviction that the Almighty can guard what is entrusted to Him (2 Timothy 1:12). • Fear is replaced by confidence that “the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7). Resting in God’s Provision • After three months, Jochebed places Moses in a basket—literally an “ark” (Exodus 2:3). God turns a fragile vessel into a vehicle of deliverance. • Pharaoh’s daughter finds the child, and Moses’ own mother is paid to nurse him (Exodus 2:5–9). • God provides: – Safety in the Nile—normally the place of death for Hebrew boys. – Sustenance and wages for Jochebed. – Royal education and access for Moses (Acts 7:22). • “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). The Ripple Effect of One Act of Faith • Moses lives, grows, and becomes Israel’s deliverer (Exodus 3:10). • Through Moses, God gives the Law, foreshadowing Christ (John 1:17). • One couple’s faith influences nations and generations—illustrating Ephesians 3:20. Takeaways for Today • God’s protection is real; trust Him when cultural pressures conflict with Scripture. • Provision often comes in unexpected packages—like a basket in the Nile. • Faith both acts (hides the child) and waits (lets the basket go). • The same God who safeguarded Moses guards every believer: “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). |
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