Letter to the Hebrews Volume 145

 Overcoming Faith Part 3 (Gideon)

Hebrews 11:32-34 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the Prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. KJV Note: CEV=Contemporay English Version

The writer of Hebrews next list six (6) men and also the Prophets whom the Lord God/Elohim/Jehovah/Adonai/Jesus Christ used in very miraculous ways to accomplish His will on the earth for the profit, protection, and preservation of children of Israel on the earth as per His promise to Abraham (then Abram) way back when He first called Him to leave his home country and sojourn to a land that He (God) would shew unto him (Genesis 12:1-3). Each of these men were born many years after Abraham's earthly life was over, however, each one of them were descendants of Abraham. Just as the writer of Hebrews declares, as it is written, "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the Prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." (Hebrews 11:32-34) (KJV), it would take up very much time to document all that the Scriptures have so documented for us concerning the exercising of extremely great overcoming faith by all of them. However, I will shine some light on each of these six (6) men as well as some of the Prophets that the writer of Hebrews highlights for us here in this part of his list of the heroes of the faith.

The first man spoken of is Gideon who was just an ordinary man. Not some superhero or great man of military strength and might, but he was a man who believed in God and believed God, even though he questioned God as to why He had allowed Israel to be under the oppression of the Midianites, as it is written, "And Gideon said unto Him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto Him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." (Judges 6:13-16) (KJV). Despite these great words from the Lord God/the Lord Jesus Christ Gideon still wanted a sign from God that it was truly Him speaking with him and so He gave Gideon the sign of the fleece (Judges 6:36-40). Gideon also tore down the alter of baal that had been erected by his own father and replaced it with an alter to the Lord God/Jehovah God (Judges 6:28-35). Note: "Our Lord Jesus Christ will let us suffer the consequences of our waywardness from Him and His Word, even though it pains and hurts Him to do so, because He has warned us and continues to warn us through His Word that there are scars from our sin, disobedience and rebellion that He will not remove, but He is always ready to receive His sons and daughters back into His loving embrace. This is why the Midianites were allowed to oppress Israel because of the alters of baal (false gods) erected all over by the people."

The Lord God chose this ordinary man to lead a small army of men that had been narrowed down from over 30,000 to just 300 men that He (God) would use to utterly destroy the Midianites, as it is written, "And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place." (Judges 7:7) (KJV). Gideon an ordinary man was turned into a brave mighty warrior by our Lord Jesus Christ enabling him to have overcoming faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. Gideon then led these 300 men into an ambush of all the army of the Midianites and they were decimated, defeated, and destroyed by this mighty man of valour as our Lord Jesus Christ called him (Judges 6:12) and here is how it all went down, "Gideon and his group reached the edge of the enemy camp a few hours after dark, just after the new guards had come on duty. Gideon and his soldiers blew their trumpets and smashed the clay jars that were hiding the torches. The rest of Gideon's soldiers blew the trumpets they were holding in their right hands. Then they smashed the jars and held the burning torches in their left hands. Everyone shouted, 'Fight with your swords for the LORD and for Gideon!' The enemy soldiers started yelling and tried to run away. Gideon's troops stayed in their positions surrounding the camp and blew their trumpets again. As they did, the LORD made the enemy soldiers pull out their swords and start fighting each other. The enemy army tried to escape from the camp. They ran to Acacia Tree Town, toward Zeredah, and as far as the edge of the land that belonged to the town of Abel-Meholah near Tabbath. Gideon sent word for more Israelite soldiers to come from the tribes of Naphtali, Asher, and both halves of Manasseh to help fight the Midianites. He also sent messengers to tell all the men who lived in the hill country of Ephraim, 'Come and help us fight the Midianites! Put guards at every spring, stream, and well, as far as Beth-Barah before the Midianites can get to them. And guard the Jordan River.' Troops from Ephraim did exactly what Gideon had asked, and they even helped chase the Midianites on the east side of the Jordan River. These troops captured Raven and Wolf, the two Midianite leaders. They killed Raven at a large rock that has come to be known as Raven Rock, and they killed Wolf near a wine-pit that has come to be called Wolf Wine-Pit. The men of Ephraim brought the heads of the two Midianite leaders to Gideon." (Judges 7:19-25) (CEV).

There was much more that our Lord Jesus Christ did through this ordinary man Gideon who was just going about his business threshing wheat by the winepress in Ophrah (Judges 6:11), but this was the highlight which I wanted pointed out concerning this man Gideon who by the power of God walked in overcoming faith when the odds were seemingly insurmountable and against him being safe, successful, or saved in his endeavor for our Lord God, but as we know with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27), for one with God/Jesus is a majority and it was Gideon who  'turned to flight the armies of the aliens' (Hebrews 11:34). Here is what Matthew Henry said of the reference of Gideon in Hebrews 11:32, "Gideon, whose story we have in Judges 6:11, etc. He was an eminent instrument raised up of God to deliver his people from the oppression of the Midianites; he was a person of mean tribe and family, called from a mean employment (threshing wheat), and saluted by an Angel of God in this surprising manner, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of war. Gideon could not at first receive such honours, but humbly expostulates with the angel about their low and distressed state. The Angel of the Lord delivers him his commission, and assures him of success, confirming the assurance by fire out of the rock. Gideon is directed to offer sacrifice, and, instructed in his duty, goes forth against the Midianites, when his army is reduced from thirty-two thousand to three hundred; yet by these, with their lamps and pitchers, God put the whole army of the Midianites to confusion and ruin: and the same faith that gave Gideon so much courage and honour enabled him to act with great meekness and modesty towards his brethren afterwards. It is the excellency of the grace of faith that, while it helps men to do great things, it keeps them from having high and great thoughts of themselves."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 144

 Overcoming Faith Part 2

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. KJV

In the very last study/commentary, we were reminded of the overcoming faith of the entire Hebrew army when they went out to fight against the people/army of Jericho (who had built huge walls to protect themselves from all enimies). The walls were built so thick and so high that it would have been certain devastation, death, and defeat for the army of Israel to try and climb over them with every soldier, for they would have been sitting ducks for the Jericho army to pluck off one at a time until all were killed. Therefore, as we learned the Lord God had a more suitable method of getting the Hebrew army into the city to defeat and destroy the people of Jericho. In this next verse of Scripture here in the Book of Hebrews, the writer recounts for us one woman within that city who had heard about the exploits of the Hebrew people against others, as it is written here, "And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." (Joshua 2:9-11) (KJV). This one woman in the city of Jericho (who showed overcoming faith by risking her own life going against the orders of her then king of Jericho) was named Rahab and she was a harlot or in our more common language today she was a prostitute, as it is written here for us by the writer of Hebrews describing her overcoming faith with these words, "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace." (Hebrews 11:31) (KJV). Many of the other people would have surely turned the two Hebrew spies into the king of Jericho, but God the Father/Elohim/Jesus Christ/Adonai knew exactly where the two Hebrew young men should go in order to be safe and that was to the house of a prostitute named Rahab. God knew her inner woman, that is, He knew that she had begun to believe that the God of the Hebrew people was in fact the One True God just as she declared in Joshua 2:11. Therefore, God knowing all things knew exactly how to guide these two young Hebrews right to her front door. God also knew that they would be safe under her roof as it is proven by the faith she exhibited when she hid them from the king of Jericho by deceiving him into thinking the two men had already gone out of the city, as it is written here, "And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither by night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I know not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate." (Joshua 2:2-7) (KJV).

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 11:31, "She resided in Jericho; Joshua 2:1. When Joshua crossed the Jordan, he sent two men as spies to her house, and she saved them by concealment from the enemies that would have destroyed their lives. For this act of hospitality and kindness, they assured her of safety when the city should be destroyed, and directed her to give an indication of her place of abode to the invading Israelites, that her house might be spared; Joshua 2:18-19. In the destruction of the city, she was accordingly preserved; Joshua 6. The Apostle seems to have selected this case as illustrating the nature of faith, partly because it occurred at Jericho, of which he had just made mention, and partly to show that strong faith had been exercised not only by the patriarchs, and by those who were confessed to be great and good, but by those in humble life, and whose earlier conduct had been far from the ways of virtue. 'Calvin.' Much perplexity has been felt in reference to this case, and many attempts have been made to remove the difficulty. The main difficulty has been that a woman of this character should be enumerated among those who were eminent for piety, and many expositors have endeavored to show that the word rendered 'harlot' does not necessarily denote a woman of abandoned character, but may be used to denote a hostess. This definition is given by Schleusner, who says that the word may mean one who prepares and sells food and who receives strangers to entertain them. Others have supposed that the word means 'an idolatress,' because those devoted to idolatry were frequently of abandoned character. But there are no clear instances in which the Greek word, and the corresponding Hebrew word - זונה zownah - is used in this sense. The usual and the fair meaning of the word is what is given in our translation, and there is no good reason why that signification should not be retained here. It is not implied by the use of the word here, however, that Rahab was an harlot at the time to which the Apostle refers; but the meaning is, that this had been her character, so that it was proper to designate her by this appellation." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 11:31, "She received the spies in peace, the men that Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho, Joshua 2:6-7. She not only bade them welcome, but she concealed them from their enemies who sought to cut them off, and she made a noble confession of her faith, Joshua 2:9-11. She engaged them to covenant with her to show favour to her and hers, when God should show kindness to them, and that they would give her a sign, which they did, a line of scarlet, which she was to hang forth out of the window; she sent them away with prudent and friendly advice. Learn here, (1.) True faith will show itself in good works, especially towards the people of God. (2.) Faith will venture all hazards in the cause of God and His people; a true believer will sooner expose his own person than God's interest and people. (3.) A true believer is desirous, not only to be in covenant with God, but in communion with the people of God, and is willing to cast in his lot with them, and to fare as they fare."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 143

 Overcoming Faith Part 1

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. KJV

The writer of Hebrews now begins to document for us a list of believers in the Lord God/YAHWEH/Adonai/Elohim/Jesus Christ by recounting, remembering, and recalling the very powerful acts of faith that these brothers and sisters exercised under extreme circumstances during the life and times of humanity in the Old Testament. Faith to believe God and believe in God is itself a gift from God as declared by the Apostle Paul with these words from the New Testament, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2:8) (KJV). It has been discussed, debated, and deliberated over many centuries by many lay Christians and even by the learned Christian Theologians whether or not Ephesians 2:8 means that both grace and faith are God the Father's gift to those of us who are true believers. In my opinion, which ever side of this argument someone stands on, it is not a matter of division or a matter of whether a soul is truly saved or not, because we know that salvation, that is, the turning of a sinner into a saint of God is not from any good within the person/soul, but it is strictly granted because of the Mercy of God, going back up to read these words, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2:4-5) (KJV). In other words, I believe that when we receive the Mercy of God which is found in grace, then we receive all that God the Father will and wants us to have and that includes faith to believe, faith to live as pilgrims, and faith to overcome whatever bullets or bombs that is thrown at us from the devil and his invisible demons and the two-legged devils that he uses to try and hurt us and even kill us.

So, the writer of Hebrews begins his list of those who exercised overcoming faith with the entire Hebrew army that went out at the command of Elohim to destroy and defeat the people of Jericho, as it is written here, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days." (Hebrews 11:30) (KJV). After the death of Moses, Joshua was appointed to be leader of the Hebrew people (at that time) by the Lord God. Then Joshua was commanded by God to take the city of Jericho and to destroy/kill all the people in the city, however, the city walls were impenetrable. So, the Hebrew people encompassed or surrounded the city walls and kept the people of Jericho from going out of the city or coming into the city, as it is written here, "Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in." (Joshua 6:1) (KJV). In order for the Hebrew army to get into the city to wage war with the army/people of Jericho the walls of Jericho would have to be brought down. This was not humanly possible by the Hebrew people. However, YAHWEH had already seen their obstacle and was prepared to remove it for the Hebrew army, however, they needed to believe that God would do so according to His will and His command to them, as it is written here, "And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days." (Joshua 6:2-3) (KJV). The people of Jericho felt completely safe inside their mighty walls that they had spent many years building to do the job of protecting them from outside threats that were greater than them in numbers and in might. They perhaps stood at the top of their walls and mocked those fools for marching around them for 6 straight days. God could have brought down the walls of Jericho on the first day and He could have done so without the faith of the Hebrew people, but Adonai wanted the Hebrew people/army to exercise overcoming faith in the face of an obstacle that (from all angles on the outside) appeared to be impossible to overcome. Remember theses words written by this same author of the Book of Hebrews, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) (KJV). The Hebrew army needed to believe God for what they had not yet seen happen. Anybody can see something and believe it exist or that it is real, but faith goes beyond the seen into the unseen because we have the One True and Only God Jesus Christ who made all things that are seen from nothing. The results of the Hebrew army by faith believing God, as it is written, "So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword." (Joshua 6:20-21) (KJV).

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 11:30, "That is, it was not by any natural causes, or by any means that were in themselves adapted to secure such a result. It was not because they fell of themselves; nor because they were assailed by the hosts of the Israelites; nor was it because there was any natural tendency in the blowing of horns to cause them to fall. None of these things were true; and it was only by confidence in God that means so little adapted to such a purpose could have been employed at all; and it was only by continued faith in him that they could have been persevered in day by day, when no impression whatever was made. The strength of the faith evinced on this occasion appears from such circumstances as these: - that there was no natural tendency in the means used to produce the effect; that there was great apparent improbability that the effect would follow; that they might be exposed to much ridicule from those within the city for attempting to demolish their strong walls in this manner, and from the fact that the city was encircled day after day without producing any result. This may teach us the propriety and necessity of faith in similar circumstances. Ministers of the Gospel often preach where there seems to be as little prospect of beating down the opposition in the human heart by the message which they deliver, as there was of demolishing the walls of Jericho by the blowing of rams’ horns. they blow the gospel trumpet from week to week and month to month, and there seems to be no tendency in the strong citadel of the heart to yield. Perhaps the only apparent result is to excite ridicule and scorn. Yet let them not despair. Let them blow on. Let them still lift up their voice with faith in God, and in due time the walls of the citadel will totter and fall. God has power over the human heart as he had over Jericho; and in our darkest day of discouragement let us remember that we are never in circumstances indicating less probability of success from any apparent tendency in the means used to accomplish the result, than those were who encompassed this pagan city. With similar confidence in God we may hope for similar success."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 142

 The Faith of Moses Part 5

Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. KJV

The final act of faith documented for us by the writer of Hebrews concerning Moses was when he and the children of Israel were on their journey out of the land of Egypt going (on foot) in the direction that the Lord God had commanded them which led them directly to the Red Sea, as it is written and documented here, "And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt." (Exodus 13:17-18) (KJV). They had no boats to cross over the water and their were hundreds of thousands of them that came out of Egypt with Moses at the time of the Exodus, as it is written, "And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle." (Exodus 12:33-38) (KJV).

Now we see that 600,000 men alone were among the people and if we triple that amount by adding the women and children, there were perhaps close to or even more than 2 million people that made their way on this Exodus with Moses. Once this multitude of people reached the shores of the Red Sea only a Mighty Miracle could get them through safely to the other side of the sea and that 'by faith' is exactly what occured, as it is written here by the writer of Hebrews, "By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned." (Hebrews 11:29) (KJV). The little English phrase 'they passed through' is translated by the Greek word diabainō meaning to cross: - come over, pass (through). In what ever manner the Lord God/our Lord Jesus Christ used Moses to speak to the Sea to part or to just raise his staff and the Sea parted is not detailed, described, or declared in the Scripture, but the reality of this big Sea parting as a Mother would part the hair of her daughter to braid it placing one part of the hair on one side and the other part on the opposite side; this was the exact same manner as our Lord Jesus Christ (through Moses) made the Red Sea part and not only part, but as it is written here by the Psalmist, "Marvellous things did He in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and He made the waters to stand as an heap." (Psalms 78:12-13) (KJV). Also, when the water was parted and standing as an heap on both sides, our Lord Jesus Christ dried up the bottom of the sea and turned the ground into a dry super highway for Moses and the children of Israel to pass through upon, for there would be no way for them to get all of those heavy wagons loaded with the spoils of Egypt and all of the livestock through with the bottom of the Sea not only being completely dry, but as smooth as a paved street, Amen!

The evil that was Pharaoh, even after having the final plague kill his first born son and every first born son in the entire land of Egypt, would not let the children of Israel go in complete peace, so he repented, reconsidered, and renounced his decision and gathered his army together and pursued after the children of Israel, either to kill them all or to force them to turn back to Egypt. Now it is not known (from the Scripture) the exact time when Pharaoh made this decision, but it was surely after many days because of the devastation he had just suffered at the hand of Moses through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, Pharaoh and his army pursued the children of Israel and must have caught up with them just as they were crossing through the Red Sea parted down the middle and standing on an heap on both sides. Now you would think that Pharaoh would have learned by now from the 10 plagues that were inflicted upon Egypt that he was dealing with the only True God and that all of his satanic workings were no match for Him, but again just like his spiritual father (the devil) he thought he could defeat Almighty God and as it is written here (in the Song of Moses) this became his end, "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a Man of war: the LORD is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath He cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy Right Hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy Hight Hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy." (Exodus 15:1-6) (KJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 11:29, "The preservation and safe passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea, when there was no other way to escape from Pharaoh and his host, who were closely pursuing them. Here we may observe, (1.) Israel's danger was very great; an enraged enemy with chariots and horsemen behind them; steep rocks and mountains on either hand, and the Red Sea before them. (2.) Their deliverance was very glorious. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; the grace of faith will help us through all the dangers we meet with in our way to heaven. The destruction of the Egyptians. They, presumptuously attempting to follow Israel through the Red Sea, being thus blinded and hardened to their ruin, were all drowned. Their rashness was great, and their ruin was grievous." Here also is what Adam Clarke had to say of Hebrews 11:29, "The Egyptians thought they could walk through the sea as well as the Israelites; they tried, and were drowned; while the former passed in perfect safety. The one walked by faith, the other by sight; one perished, the other was saved."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 141

 The Faith of Moses Part 4

Hebrews 11:28 Through faith he (Moses) kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. KJV

Moses was now being used by the Lord God as the instrument with which He would free the children of Israel from their 400 years of bondage and enslavement to the Egyptians. However, the Egyptian Pharaoh at that time, was just like his spiritual father the devil, that being, sadistic, stubborn, and stupid despite having witnessed all of the plagues the Lord God brought upon him and his entire nation he continued to refused to let the children of Israel go. The writer of Hebrews now documents for us the faith that Moses steadfastly walked in as he did the will of God, "Through faith he (Moses) kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest He that destroyed the firstborn should touch them." (Hebrews 11:28) (KJV). The Egyptian Pharaoh continued to defy, deride, and deny Moses access to the people of Israel and kept them under his enslavement, therefore, the Lord God came to Moses once again with another plague that He would inflict upon Pharaoh and all of Egypt (Exodus 12:1-13) and Moses was again obedient to God's will as it is written here, "Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever." (Exodus 12:21-24) (KJV). Note: "Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb for every sinner upon the earth, as it is written, 'Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:' (1 Corinthians 5:7) (KJV), for when the Judgement of God the Father comes against sin, He will only passover the sins of those who are covered by and under the 'Blood of the Lamb', as it is written, 'And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.' (Revelation 7:13-14) (KJV). None of the so-called 'good people' will have their sins passed over without the Blood of Jesus, nor will the sins of any of all the people of all the other spiritual paths to God or heaven be passed over without the Blood of the Lamb, therefore, always remember the absolute truth in these words from our Lord Jesus Christ, 'Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN cometh unto the Father, but by Me.' (John 14:6) (KJV)."

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 11:28, "We have yet another instance of the faith of Moses, in keeping the passover and sprinkling of blood, Hebrews 11:28. The account of this we have in Exodus 12:13-23. Though all Israel kept this passover, yet it was by Moses that God delivered the institution of it; and, though it was a great mystery, Moses by faith both delivered it to the people and kept it that night in the house where he lodged. The passover was one of the most solemn institutions of the Old Testament, and a very significant type of Christ. The occasion of its first observance was extraordinary: it was in the same night that God slew the first-born of the Egyptians; but, though the Israelites lived among them, the destroying angel passed over their houses, and spared them and theirs. Now, to entitle them to this distinguishing favour, and to mark them out for it, a lamb must be slain; the blood of it must be sprinkled with a bunch of hyssop upon the lintel of the door, and on the two side-posts; the flesh of the lamb must be roasted with fire; and it must be all of it eaten that very night with bitter herbs, in a travelling posture, their loins girt, their shoes on their feet, and their staff in their hand. This was accordingly done, and the destroying angel passed over them, and slew the first-born of the Egyptians. This opened a way for the return of Abraham's posterity into the land of promise. The accommodation of this type is not difficult. (1.) Christ is that Lamb, He is our Passover, He was sacrificed for us. (2.) His blood must be sprinkled; it must be applied to those who have the saving benefit of it. (3.) It is applied effectually only to the Israelites, the chosen people of God. (4.) It is not owing to our inherent righteousness or best performances that we are saved from the wrath of God, but to the blood of Christ and His imputed righteousness. If any of the families of Israel had neglected the sprinkling of this blood upon their doors, though they should have spent all the night in prayer, the destroying angel would have broken in upon them, and slain their first-born. (5.) Wherever this blood is applied, the soul receives a whole Christ by faith, and lives upon Him. (6.) This true faith makes sin bitter to the soul, even while it receives the pardon and atonement. (7.) All our spiritual privileges on earth should quicken us to set out early, and get forward, in our way to heaven. (8.) Those who have been marked out must ever remember and acknowledge free and distinguishing grace."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 140

 The Faith of Moses Part 3

Hebrews 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. KJV

Moses's faith or trust that God would be with him as he made the decision to leave the home and the country where his beloved Mother resided was him walking into the preferred, prepared, and preordained will of God for his life and for the future of the entire Hebrew people. The writer of Hebrews declares the decision of Moses (as he approached this fork in the road of his life at the age of 40) with these words, "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:27) (KJV). At first, of course Moses feared what would happen to him at the hands of the king for what he had just done to another Egyptian, as it is written, "And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well." (Exodus 2:12-15) (KJV), but Moses also feared what would happen to his Egyptian Mother (Pharaoh's daughter). However, at some point, we must turn our fear into faith or else the devil will rule and reign over us which we cannot allow, nor could Moses, so he believed/trusted God and left the king's palace and country, therefore, let us remember these words of our Lord Jesus Christ/the Lord God/YAWEH, when He said, "And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." (Deuteronomy 20:2-4) (KJV).

Moses had yet to speak with God personally (at the burning bush Exodus Chapter 3), however, he had already by faith seen the invisible God of his forefather's Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The little English phrase 'he endured' in Hebrews 11:27 is what seeing the invisible God by faith did for Moses and it is translated by the Greek word kartereō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to be strong, that is, (figuratively) steadfast (patient): - endure. The Apostle Paul wrote these words that paint a Word Picture of what Moses was experiencing in his inner man during this time in his life before the Exodus of the entire Hebrew people even took place, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) (KJV).  Then this happened (Moses spoke with God), "Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God." (Exodus 3:1-6) (KJV). As it is also written, "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" (2 Corinthians 5:7) (KJV), however, God/Jesus always gives us SIGHT when we are truly walking by faith. Amen!

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 11:27, "We have another instance of the faith of Moses, namely, in forsaking Egypt: By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, Hebrews 11:27. Observe here, (1.) The product of his faith: He forsook Egypt, and all its power and pleasures, and undertook the conduct of Israel out of it. Twice Moses forsook Egypt: [1.] As a supposed criminal, when the king's wrath was incensed against him for killing the Egyptian (Exodus 2:14-15), where it is said he feared, not with a fear of despondency, but of discretion, to save his life. [2.] As a commander and ruler in Jeshurun, after God had employed him to humble Pharaoh and make him willing to let Israel go. (2.) The prevalency of his faith. It raised him above the fear of the king's wrath. Though he knew that it was great, and levelled at him in particular, and that it marched at the head of a numerous host to pursue him, yet he was not dismayed, and he said to Israel, Fear not, Exodus 14:13. Those who forsook Egypt must expect the wrath of men; but they need not fear it, for they are under the conduct of that God who is able to make the wrath of man to praise him, and restrain the remainder of it. (3.) The principle upon which his faith acted in these his motions: He endured, as seeing him that was invisible. He bore up with invincible courage under all danger, and endured all the fatigue of his employment, which was very great; and this by seeing the invisible God. Observe, [1.] The God with whom we have to do is an invisible God: he is so to our senses, to the eye of the body; and this shows the folly of those who pretend to make images of God, whom no man hath seen, nor can see. [2.] By faith we may see this invisible God. We may be fully assured of his existence, of his providence, and of his gracious and powerful presence with us. [3.] Such a sight of God will enable believers to endure to the end whatever they may meet with in the way."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 139

 The Faith of Moses Part 2

Hebrews 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. KJV

Moses would have never been forced by God to leave all that was cherished in Egypt with all of the earthly comforts that came with being the only son of Pharaoh's daughter, but instead Moses had to come to this decision all on his own. This surely is why the 20 year old Moses and even the 30 year old Moses did not then willingly go to be with his own people of birth the Hebrew people, for surely (as we stated in Volume 138) Moses knew long before the age of 40 that he was a Hebrew by birth and not an Egyptian. The will of God that His people be freed from Egyptian enslavement was going to happen with or without Moses being the human instrument He used, for we can again recall the words of Joseph before he died saying this, "And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence." (Genesis 50:24-25) (KJV). Moses came to know this history of his people and through much distress to his mind he realized that his life was spared by God (when many Hebrew babies born at the same time period as him were killed by the man he knew as a child to be grandfather) for a greater purpose than just living his life as he wanted, but to be a mighty instrument of great change in the Hand of God, just like Esther was during the time of her earthly life, remember these words, "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) (KJV). Moses too was born for such a time as he was to choose to serve God instead of the king of Egypt, therefore, we now find the writer of Hebrews declaring again further the choice of Moses with these words, "Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." (Hebrews 11:26) (KJV). The English word 'esteeming' is translated by the Greek word hēgeomai meaning (as used here) figuratively to deem, that is, consider: - account, judge, suppose, think. The English word 'reproach' is translated by the Greek word oneidismos meaning (as used here) abuse, insult, and revilement. The English word 'greater' is translated by the Greek word meizōn meaning (as used here) larger (literally or figuratively, more). The English word 'riches' is translated by the Greek word ploutos meaning (as used here) wealth (as fulness), that is, (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specifically) valuable bestowment: - riches. The English word 'respect' is translated by the Greek word apoblepō (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning to look away from everything else, that is, (figuratively) intently regard: - have respect. In other words, Moses considered and judged (within himself) that rejecting all the wealth and abundance that would have been his in Egypt (as long as he concealed his true Hebrew heritage) and all of the revilement that would come to him when all of Egypt discovered that he was not a true Egyptian, but instead a Hebrew was not to be compared to the treasure and riches that he would gain in heaven as a result of being obedient to God, therefore, he looked away from every earthly treasure and regarded that his greatest reward was then to willingly serve God and take part in his Hebrew brethren being freed from the bondage of slavery and in the future spend eternity with Him in heaven. Moses saw the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ to his Hebrew people and chose to receive His reproach instead of the approval of the world (which was at that time the Egyptians, for the Egyptians then were the world).

Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of Hebrews 11:26, "And then, further, such a vision will help us to appraise at their true value earthly possessions.. I cannot enter upon the question of what the writer means precisely by that singular phrase, attributing to Moses 'the reproach of Christ.' Whether it implies the reproach borne for Christ, or like Christ, or by Christ, all which interpretations are possible, and have been suggested, need not concern us now. The point is that the twofold vision of which the writer is speaking, let in upon worldly possessions, reveals their emptiness and dressiness, as compared with the true riches. There are old stories of men who in the night received from fairy hands gifts of gold in some cave, and when the daylight came upon them what had seemed to be gold and jewels was a bundle of withered leaves and red berries, already half corrupted and altogether worthless. There are many things that the world counts very precious which are lille the fairy's gold. Nothing that can be taken from a man really belongs to him. The only real riches, corresponder with his necessities, are those which, once possessed, are inseparable from his being, the riches of an indwelling God, and of a nature conformed to His. And that effect of the vision of the unseen and the future, as bringing down to their true value all the wealth of Egypt and of the world, is a lesson which no man needs more than do we whose lives, and habits of thinking, are passed and formed in a commercial community, in which success means a fortune, and failure means poverty; in which the poor are tempted to look upon the possession of wealth as the only thing to be coveted, and the rich are tempted to look upon it as the one thing to be rejoiced over. Let the light of the future, and of God, ever shine upon your estimates of the worth of the world's wealth. Lastly, such a vision will arm a man against all perils. I take it that 'forsaking Egypt' in my text refers to Moses' flight to Horeb. Now, in the book of Exodus that flight is traced to his fear. In my text it is traced to his courage. So, then, there may dwell in one heart fearing and not fearing. There may be dread, as there was with Moses, sufficient to impel him to flight, though not sufficient to induce him to abandon the purpose which made flight necessary. He was afraid enough to shelter himself. He was not afraid enough, by reason of dangers and difficulties, to fling up his mission. That is to say, the vision will not take away from a man natural tremors, nor will it blind him to real dangers and difficulties, but it will steady his resolve, and make him determined, though he may have to bow before the blast, to yield no jot of his convictions, nor fling away any of his confidence. He will flee to Horeb, if need be, but he will not cease to labour for the redemption of Israel If we put our trust in God, and live in the continual realisation of future retribution, then, whilst we may prudently adapt our course so as to find a smooth bit of road to walk on, and to avoid dangers which may threaten, we shall never let these either shake our confidence in God, or alter our conviction of what He requires from us."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 138

 The Faith of Moses Part 1

Hebrews 11:24-25  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; KJV

Surely the questions have risen from many people over the many years/centuries that have past since the days of Moses; (1) How could Moses so betray the Mother (Pharaoh's daughter) who rescued him from the river and kept him as her own son, even concealing his true identity from her own Father? (2) Did he ever love this woman who fed him, clothed him, and nurtured him as he grew from a boy into a man? The writer of Hebrews places the actions of Moses into the great heroes of the faith as he writes these words concerning him, "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;" (Hebrews 11:24) (KJV). Moses (as a boy growing up in Pharaoh's house) did the things that all boys love to do and that is play sports, ruff house and even fight with his friends and schoolmates. Surely at that time he looked upon Pharaoh (King of Egypt) not as an evil tyrant, but as his Grandfather. To answer the second question above first, I believe that Moses dearly loved his Mother (Pharaoh's daughter), for she was the only Mother that he had ever known. Moses true Mother (who loved him so much that she listened to the Voice of the Lord God) who placed him in seeming danger in order to save his life probably only had contact with him during the month's after that she nursed him or breast fed him because Pharaoh's daughter certainly could not do so and baby Moses would have perished without her doing so during that time period (12-24 month's probably), as I documented in the last Volume 137 with these words, "Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water." (Exodus 2:7-10) (KJV). When Moses delineated, determined, or discovered that he was not an Egyptian but instead a Hebrew is not known exactly from the Scriptures, but the Scriptures do declare that Moses at age 40 knew he was Hebrew and not Egyptian, as it is written here, "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel." (Acts 7:22-23) (KJV). I believe that Moses discovered his true identity long before his 40th birthday, but it was not until then that he was moved to actually go and be amongst his brethren the Hebrew people. Moses no doubt struggled with this knowledge for a long time because of his love for his Mother (Pharaoh's daughter), but he came to the conclusion (within his own soul) that he could no longer be called 'the son of Pharaoh's daughter' and that could not have been easy for him, but 'by faith' that was the path he chose as a grown man. Moses the adopted child (because of the status of Pharaoh's daughter) perhaps at the age of 40 years old and on would have possibly been next in line to be king of Egypt (would that not be temptation to stay and deny inwardly and outwardly his true Hebrew heritage). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 11:24, "How great a temptation Moses was under. Pharaoh's daughter is said to have been his only child, and was herself childless; and having found Moses, and saved him as she did, she resolved to take him and bring him up as her son; and so he stood fair to be in time king of Egypt, and he might thereby have been serviceable to Israel. He owed his life to this princess; and to refuse such kindness from her would look not only like ingratitude to her, but a neglect of Providence, that seemed to intend his advancement and his brethren's advantage. How glorious was the triumph of his faith in so great a trial. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter lest he should undervalue the truer honour of being a son of Abraham, the father of the faithful; he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter lest it should look like renouncing his religion as well as his relation to Israel; and no doubt both these he must have done if he had accepted this honour; he therefore nobly refused it."

The writer of Hebrews now states the choice that the man Moses had to make on his own and so did he as it is written with these words, "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;" (Hebrews 11:25) (KJV). Note: "Let's be clear, Moses living in Egypt (the son of Pharaoh's daughter) as a young Egyptian teen and young man was already living in luxury and was indulging in all the sins that were prevalent in the land at that time." The pleasures of sin that would have been Moses' were of a numerous list, for he was destined to be king of Egypt which meant that his word alone would rule in all of the land. Moses would have had earthly riches beyond description and he would have had many wives of every shade or color from as many ethnicities as there were upon the earth at that time within his realm of travel (along with all the concubines his heart desired). Moses would not only have been king of Egypt, but he would have been 'god' within the land that he was to rule. Moses decided 'by faith' to forsake all of that and live with and among the people of his natural birth the Hebrews which it appears Moses' inner man yearned and longed to be with, as we see from these words written of his actions to one of his then Egyptian brethren, "And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote/killed the Egyptian:" (Acts 7:24) (KJV). To answer our first question above, Moses did not betray the only Mother he knew and loved dearly, but what he did was to be true to himself, that is, to his own soul, for Moses knew certainly that a life continued being identified as Pharaoh's daughter would grant him much ease and pleasure. However, he would then be the ruling authority over his own people's (Hebrew people) continued oppression and this could never give him peace within or without. Moses knew that he could not (as king of Egypt) declare the Hebrew people to be released without suffering a revolt against him as king from all of Egypt. Moses did not betray his Egyptian Mother who loved him dearly, he simply did what was right for himself and for the entire Nation of Israel (the Hebrew Nation). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 11:25, "With those whom God had chosen to be his people - the Israelites. They were then oppressed and down-trodden; but they were the descendants of Abraham, and were those whom God had designed to be his special people. Moses saw that if he cast in his lot with them, he must expect trials. They were poor, and crushed, and despised - a nation of slaves. If he identified himself with them, his condition would be like theirs - one of great trial; if he sought to elevate and deliver them, such an undertaking could not but be one of great peril and hardship. Trial and danger, want and care would follow from any course which he could adopt, and he knew that an effort to rescue them from bondage must be attended with the sacrifice of all the comforts and honor which he enjoyed at court. Yet he 'chose' this. He on the whole preferred it. He left the court, not because he was driven away; not because there was nothing there to gratify ambition or to be a stimulus to avarice; and not on account of harsh treatment - for there is no intimation that he was not treated with all the respect and honor due to his station, his talents, and his learning, but because he deliberately preferred to share the trials and sorrows of the friends of God. So every one who becomes a friend of God and casts in his lot with His people, though he may anticipate that it will be attended with persecution, with poverty, and with scorn, prefers this to all the pleasures of a life of gaiety and sin, and to the most brilliant prospects of wealth and fame which this world can offer."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…