Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
Our Rewards Await Us
Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. (NKJV)
The early Eastern Church (Dionysius and Clement, both of Alexandria), from the second century, claimed Paul was the writer of Hebrews. The Western Church later agreed.
Luke translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek, according to Clement in the second century. Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment and was his amanuensis during Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11).
It is likely that Luke was also Paul’s amanuensis for this letter. My conclusion is that this was Paul’s last writing, written in late 67-early 68 A.D.
In this letter, Paul is writing to Hebrews who have converted to Christianity from Judaism. Family and friends are likely pressuring them to return to Judaism, so Paul is writing to these Hebrew Christians to encourage them to remain steadfast in their faith and not to return to Judaism.
This chapter, Hebrews eleven, is known as the faith chapter. Paul runs chronologically through history and identifies those who are included in God’s “Hall of Faith”. He is giving examples of great people of faith.
Those recognized for their faith previously in this chapter are Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah (Abraham’s wife), Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents (Amram and Jochebed), and Moses. In this passage, many more are inducted into God’s “Hall of Faith”.
Paul begins this passage by writing “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land (v. 29a) Paul recognizes all those Israelites of the exodus, some two million people, who bravely walked through the Red Sea after God had parted the waters.
It is most likely that the Israelites crossed near the town of Suez, where the distance across the Sea was about three miles at high tide. Some have suggested that the crossing was at the Sea of Reeds, a much smaller sea in the area.
However, to suggest that would call into question not only the Old Testament account in the Hebrew, but also the account in this verse. The word translated “Red” in this verse is the Greek word “eruthros”, which means “red”.
Paul continues with “whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned” (v. 29b). The Egyptians followed with more than 600 chariots, along with all of the king’s horsemen, and troops, and “were drowned” (Ex. 14:7-9). An army of that size, said to be some 600,000 men, could not have been drowned by the closing of the smaller Sea of Reeds.
So, the Israelites showed extreme faith as they took that first small step into a dried up river bed with walls of water on both sides. The average depth of the Red Sea is about 3,000 feet, which meant the walls of water on either side would have been at least 1,500 feet, the height of a 15 story building.
Not only that, they exhibited great faith as they looked ahead to the three-mile journey, with, no doubt, the thought of “how long will the walls hold up?” Could any of us have so great a faith? God rewarded them by saving them from being returned to slavery, and recognized them here for their great faith.
Next, Paul writes “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days” (v. 30). God also recognized the great faith of those Israelites who walked around the walls of Jericho for seven days, believing in God’s power to crumble the walls. Recent archaeological research at Jericho confirms that the city was destroyed about 1400 B.C.
Joshua led the Israelites having received orders from the commander of the army of the Lord”, likely a preincarnate appearance of Jesus Christ “(Jos. 5:14).
This “commander” appeared to Joshua and ordered him to “take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy” (Jos. 5:15). A similar phrase was spoken to Moses from the burning bush when he was receiving his orders from God, perhaps another preincarnate visit of Jesus.
Joshua and the Israelites demonstrated great faith during the seven day walk around Jericho. Only a miracle could cause the walls to fall, handing over the city to the Israelites.
Through their faith God worked His miracle. The Israelites were rewarded for their faith with the Promised Land.
Also, the fall of Jericho by the power of God sent the same message to the enemies of the Israelites as did the crossing of the Red Sea. The message was that the same God that performed a miracle to rescue the Israelites of Moses would also rescue the Israelites of Joshua.
Paul closes this passage with “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (v. 31).
The prostitute Rahab, and her family, were the only survivors of the siege at Jericho. They were protected because of their faith. Rahab hid the two Israelite spies, and Joshua blessed her faith in God by sparing her life and those of her family.
It took great faith in the power of God to hide the spies. Had God not been successful in overthrowing the city, Rahab and her family would have surely been put to death by the authorities in Jericho.
Later Rahab became the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz. Boaz married Ruth, who became the great grandmother of David. Rahab was blessed again for her faith, by becoming part of the lineage of Jesus Christ.
There is a common theme throughout this chapter of how our faith in God is rewarded with blessing. We may not see all of God’s promises come to fruition in our lifetime, but we will be blessed if we remain faithful.
God rewards our steadfast faith in Him. Let us never give up, or give in. Let us continue to fight the good fight, for our rewards await us. .