In Hebrews 11 the writer compiles a list of people that we
often refer to as the heroes of the faith.
These saints of old obtained a good report because of their belief and
trust in God’s promises even though circumstances were opposed to them.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. By faith Enoch escaped death because he had
this testimony, that he pleased God. He
walked so close to God that one day he just stepped over into heaven.
Noah and his family escaped the destruction of the flood
because they believed God and acted on His instructions to build an ark. They were as good as dead except that they
obeyed God.
Abraham and Sarah were beyond child bearing age yet God
promised them a Son. The scripture
speaks of the deadness of Sarah’s womb; they were both as good as dead, yet by the
miraculous power of God Sarah received strength to conceive. After giving birth to Isaac, God told Abraham
to sacrifice him upon an altar. Isaac
was as good as dead when Abraham lifted the knife but God intervened and
provided a ram for a sacrifice.
As a baby, Moses was as good as dead when his mother
constructed a little boat and sent him down the river. By the miraculous intervention of God the
daughter of Pharaoh heard his cry and rescued him from the slaughter of the
Hebrew children.
Rahab the harlot was as good as dead during the destruction
of Jericho. By God’s miraculous
intervention she and all her house were spared because she hid the spies and
helped them escape.
Though there are many points to be made from this list, I want
to focus on the aspect of being as good as dead. Joseph was as good as dead when his brothers
threw him into a pit to die, but a pattern in scripture is revealed here. It goes back to the death, burial and resurrection
cycle that is necessary for entrance into God’s Kingdom and the subsequent
increase.
Enoch stepped over into the heavenly kingdom. Noah and his family entered into salvation
and went on to repopulate the earth.
Abraham and Sarah went from being childless to having offspring
numbering as the sand of the sea and the stars of the sky. Through Isaac and his descendants would come
God’s promised redeemer, the Messiah. We
also find the harlot Rahab named in the lineage of the Christ child. Moses was used of God to deliver the
Israelites who were held captive to bondage in Egypt
All those mentioned above were in one form or another as
good as dead, but by God’s intervention went on to greatness. There are at least three types of increase
revealed in the cycle of sowing and reaping, or death burial and
resurrection. Enoch received power and
authority to overcome death. Moses and
Joseph increased in authority to rule and reign. Noah, Abraham and Rahab are mentioned as
having many offspring. I am sure all of
those mentioned above received an increase in intimacy with God as well.
