28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them (the firstborn of Israel).
Hebrews 11:28 (AMP)
In this final entry regarding the faith of Moses, we are reminded of this act of extreme faith and leadership by Moses. It’s the apex of the time in Egypt at the door of his next demonstration of faith and endurance – taking the people, against all odds, to the promised land.
The passover
In Exodus 12, God decided to institute the Passover. It was the culmination of the judgments (plagues) that showed Jehovah alone is God and Israel is His chosen people. Any family (even Egyptian!) that, in faith, performed the required sacrifice and sprinkled the blood on their doorposts would be protected from the destroyer sent by God to kill the firstborn. Regarding Moses’ faith in this, Barnes’ commentary says his faith was “confidence that this would be the means of preserving the firstborn of the Israelites, when the angel should destroy the firstborn of the Egyptians, and also that it would be celebrated as a perpetual memorial of this great deliverance.” I would add it also pointed to Christ, the ultimate Passover Lamb.
The nature of Moses’ faith
As we conclude this interlude on Moses, let’s take a 20,000 foot view of the character and nature of Moses’ faith. Barnes’ commentary has a wonderful summary of the great faith of Moses. I strongly encourage you to read it and get inspired! Here are a few snippets. In comparison to Abraham’s faith, Moses’ demonstration of faith was in a different context. For one, as we discussed earlier in Hebrews 11:24-25, Moses gave up the riches of Egypt: “Moses, in the maturity of life, and with everything around him that is usually regarded by men as objects of ambition, was ready to forego it all.” Regarding the exodus, “If there ever was any undertaking [against] every human probability of success, it was that of delivering the Hebrew people, and conducting them to the promised land.” Barnes also compares it to an African of noble birth going to the south of the United States in the 1800’s to deliver 2 million slaves back to Africa. Impossible.
How’s our faith?
The author’s hope is that we will be encouraged to see God’s mighty hand in Moses’ life, how Moses responded to life’s tests (from God) in faith and action and endured. We see his great leadership which, with God’s orchestration, inspired the Israelites. How are we developing our faith and responding to life’s trials? Do we draw close to Him through His word and prayer and fellowships with others? Does our faith inspire others?
