What role does obedience play in the faith described in Hebrews 11:28? Setting the Scene: Faith at Night in Egypt “By faith Moses kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.” (Hebrews 11:28) • The command sounded strange: kill a lamb, paint its blood on the doorframe, stay inside. • Death would sweep through Egypt, yet every Israelite household marked by obedience would be protected. • Moses believed God’s word, acted on it immediately, and instructed the nation to do the same. Obedience as the Visible Expression of Faith • Faith trusted God’s promise; obedience applied the lamb’s blood. • Without the blood on the doorposts, professed belief would have been empty—firstborn sons would have perished. • Obedience did not earn deliverance; it received it. God provided the means, Israel simply responded. What Moses’ Example Teaches Us 1. Faith listens. Moses “kept the Passover” because he took God’s warning literally. 2. Faith submits. He followed every detail, even those that appeared unnecessary to human reasoning. 3. Faith influences others. Moses’ obedience gave Israel courage to act the same night (Exodus 12:21-23). 4. Faith experiences God’s rescue. Only the obedient households were spared when judgment fell. Scripture Echoes: Obedience and Faith Hand in Hand • 1 Samuel 15:22 – “Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice.” • John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • Romans 1:5 – the gospel calls nations “to the obedience of faith.” • James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.” • James 2:22 – “His faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.” Together these passages confirm that genuine faith always moves toward concrete, God-directed action. Practical Takeaways for Today • Treat every biblical command as trustworthy and good, even when culture says otherwise. • Link belief and action quickly; delayed obedience weakens faith’s resolve. • Teach the next generation why obeying God’s word is life-preserving, not life-robbing. • Rest in Christ, the true Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). His blood saves; our obedience proves we have placed ourselves under that blood. Obedience, then, is faith’s natural outworking—never the price of salvation, always the proof of it. |
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