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“Hall of Faith” (Mess.#8) “The Vision of Faith” (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph)
Text: Heb.11: 20-22 Intro.: We now have before us three great visionaries who, by faith, made some great prophecies regarding their posterity and the plan of God. These three men, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, all had their faith tested and tried before they ever had their visions of faith. We too will have to have our faith tested and tried if we ever expect to be rewarded with a vision of faith like they were. For it was surely a reward for them to be given the privilege to “see” by the eye of faith what God had in store for their posterity. Isaac and Jacob both blessed their own children. They as believing parents had received God’s promises by faith, and now they laid them on the head of their offspring. Faith claimed a blessing for others. Are others blessed through your faith? How much? Let’s look now at the visionaries, their visions, and their victories and may we also have a vision of faith and lay hold on the blessings God had for us now and forevermore!
A) The Visionaries: 1) Isaac (v.20) A) Test of his faith - Gen.25: 20-23 - He waited twenty years for his wife to have two sons! B) Triumph of his faith - Gen.25: 24-26 - He received his answer – two sons were finally born! He then has opportunity to bless both sons – giving the Abrahamic blessing to his younger son Jacob despite his own bias for Esau and the natural affection he had for him. He trembled exceedingly when he realized he had been out of harmony with God’s divine will! 2) Jacob (v.21) A) Test of his faith - Gen.29 - He dwelled in Haran for twenty years seemingly forgotten by God. Then God called him back to Bethel (Gen.31: 3). B) Triumph of his faith - He obeyed God and went back and wrestled with the angel of the Lord (Gen.32: 24-28). He prevails and receives the blessing! 3) Joseph (v.22) A) Test of his faith - He was hated by his brethren because of his visions, and they sold him into slavery. He became a slave in Egypt, was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and ended up in prison. B) Triumph of his faith - He harbors no bitterness and is able to “forget” his past (Gen.41: 51). He gets exalted to the second highest position in Egypt!
B) The Visions: 1) Isaac’s Vision (v.20) - Concerning things to come: A) Jacob’s blessing - Gen.27: 28-29 1) Plenty (v.28) - Sustained by heaven and earth. 2) Power (v.29a) - Dominion over all nations and Esau and his posterity. 3) Prevalency (v.29c) - Prevalency with God – for God would curse his enemies and bless his friends! 4) All three point to Christ! B) Esau’s blessing - Gen.27: 39-40 1) Livelihood (39-40a) - Earth and dew would sustain him – he would serve, but not starve. 2) Liberty (v.40b) - Though Jacob would have dominion Esau would break the yoke – fulfilled when the Edomites revolted during the reign of King Joram (2 Ki.8: 20-22). But the Israelites never were sold into the hands of the Edomites nor did the Edomites oppress them. 3) Nothing points to Christ! 4) Note the order - Fatness of the earth first with Esau. For he regarded things of the earth first and foremost. Whereas dew of heaven was first with Jacob, for he valued and desired heavenly things most of all! 5) Isaac loved Esau unwisely. It was tragic that he based his relationship upon fleshly appetite (Gen.25: 28a, “And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison”). 6) Isaac is stirred to the depths of his soul when he realizes he had been out of harmony with God’s divine will! (Gen.27: 33). 7) Realizing that the Spirit had triumphed, Isaac said, by faith, “I have blessed him, yea, and he shall be blessed.” 8) The strength of his faith should stir us to cry out to God for an increased measure of faith! 9) As God’s mouthpiece, Isaac spoke as a prophet announcing the future of his posterity. 2) Jacob’s Vision (v.21) - Blessed both the sons of Joseph: A) The Prophecy regarding Manasseh (Gen.48: 8-19) - He would become a people and be great (v.19) B) The Prophecy regarding Ephraim (“Fruitful”) (Gen.48: 19) - He would be greater and become a multitude of nations. C) The Prophecy regarding the Israelites (Gen.48: 21) 1) They would return to the land of promise. 2) We too shall arrive in heaven after our friends and family have passed on ahead of us. D) Jacob placed Ephraim above Manasseh - As is often the case God advanced the younger above the elder. Abel above Cain, Shem above Japheth, Abraham above Nahor, Isaac above Ishmael, Jacob above Esau, David and Solomon above their elder brothers. E) Jacob’s faith shone the brightest in his dying days. He had learned many lessons in his younger years and had a turning point after wrestling with God. As we get older, every victory should be a testimony of faith! F) He worshipped God - Even though he lived amongst an idolatrous people he never dipped his colors. As he prepares to die, he forces his weary body up into an upright position. His last request is a demonstration of his faith (Gen.47: 29-31)! 3) Joseph’s Vision (v.22) - Made mention of the departing of Israel: A) Prophecy regarding Israel’s departure (Gen.50: 24-26) - He had the look of faith and prophecies that God will bring them out of Egypt and back into the promised land. B) Proclamation of his faith - He made a proclamation of his faith by requesting that his bones be carried to Canaan.
C) The Victories: 1) Jacob, though a deceiver and a cheat, became one of the Patriarchs. He was in the lineage of Christ and enjoyed all of the blessings bestowed on him by his father. 2) So too we can enjoy being the “seed of Abraham” and we can enjoy all the blessings bestowed on us by our Father! 3) Ephraim and Manasseh - Joseph’s two sons became fruitful, especially Ephraim, whose name means, “fruitful” and they became a great people. 4) By faith we can also be “fruitful” and bring glory to God! 5) Israel eventually got delivered from Egypt and Joseph’s bones were carried up to Canaan (Ex.13: 18-19). 6) So too we can be delivered from the bondage of sin and death!
Conclusion: These three visionaries all demonstrated faith in the promises of God: Do you believe His promises? All of their visions came to pass and resulted in victory! Do you desire victory? You can have it - by faith! Are you saved and enjoying God’s blessing? Are you a “fruitful” Christian? Do you desire to be set free from the bondage of sin and death?
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