SEEING THE INVISIBLE 

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible…. 

Hebrews 11:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 

The content of Hebrews 11 is overwhelmingly enjoyable.  This is one of the high points of Scripture.  The author begins with creation and takes us through time to the Lord’s return.  In the process he introduces us to the heroes of the faith beginning with Abel and including a converted harlot. 

This chapter contains one of the most important statements in all of Scripture.  This is Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The importance of this verse cannot be over emphasized.  The simplicity of faith is plainly stated.  God is, and as He is, He is the rewarder.  The debate of whether faith is mere intellectual assent or that it must include trust is answered here.  Those – and those only – who seek Him are rewarded.  This is by a simple recognition of words more than intellectual assent. 

Of all those named there are two that are given the most ink, Abraham and Moses.  I am concerned here with Moses.  He described in four features of his faith.  They are:

1.       VS 25   choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

Moses understood the passing attraction of sin.  He could have “enjoyed” sin in Egypt.  This we know about Moses.  He was “beautiful”.  He was very bright.  He was well educated.  He had all the favors of wealth and position.  He was called the son of the most important women in the land of Egypt.  Moses, if he had chosen, could have had anything wealth and position provided.  But he refused this.  Why?

2.       VS 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  He looked for a different reward.  Hebrews 11:16 gives us a brief glimpse of that reward.  It is a city.  And what a city it must be.  The description of it is that it is one of which God will not be ashamed.  That is to say God is proud of this city.  What a city, what a reward this must be.

3.       VS 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.  This is the picture the writer puts before us.  There is a traveler.  He is so weary with his journey that every step seems to be his last.  But there is before him a sight that so enlivens him that he cannot despair, be fatigued, or rest short of the end of his journey.  It is not the city, not the reward, but the rewarder.  He sees the invisible one, “the evidence of the unseen,” has given him a strength he did not know he possessed.  Faith works.

4.      VS 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.  Moses truly understood “the fear of the Lord.”  The promise was to Israel.  It was described and communicated.  All who kept those instructions would be delivered.  But those who did not would suffer the judgment described.  This was as much to be believed as the promise.  The judgment extended from the dungeon to the King’s palace and nothing between escaped it.  Moses feared and obeyed. 

The last time we see Moses in the Old Testament (Deut. 34:1-8) is his visit to Pisgah’s heights as he looks longingly into a land which is denied him.  All the Old Testament saints who had access to this scripture must have felt at least some disappointment for Moses. 

But we have another visit with Moses, (Matthew 17:2-3).  Moses is in the promised land.  He has a better country.  And he sees Him who was invisible. 

There is an American poet who has captured a bit of this beatific vision.

When we walk the pilgrim pathway,

Clouds will overspread the sky;

But when traveling days are over

Not a shadow, not a sigh. 

Let us then be true and faithful,

Trusting, serving every day;

Just one glimpse of Him in glory

Will the toils of life repay.

                                                          Mrs. J. G. Wilson