DIVISIVE HEROES

Hebrews 11 is the Holy Spirit’s “Hall of Fame.” Righteous deeds of many are given of whom “the world was not worthy” (vs 38). About forty are named, and there are many more. 603,550 men defied and divided by faith from Pharaoh and walked across the Red Sea on dry ground! Moses, their leader, was a divisive man! God led him to separate God’s chosen Hebrews from the Egyptians.
This is called the “faith chapter” of the Bible. It could also be called “God’s divisive servants”- constantly preaching separation from sin (2 Cor 6:17).  It is the “works chapter” because faith is measured and proven by taking a stand.
No one is saved by faith alone (James 2:24-26).
Here is the Spirit’s record of “divisive men.” They obeyed God, often alone against multitudes. One was Noah. What a fool in the eyes of the whole world, spending years to build a big boat on dry land while he preached and warned sinners. He “condemned” the world (Gen 6). And consider the courage of the prophets: they pronounced judgments upon those who hated and killed them. Others “became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies” (vs 34). They “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).
All of these were commended by God! JESUS was the most divisive of all: He “came not to bring peace, but a sword” (Mt 10:34-39).

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