Philip Dampier's Blog

“By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” Don’t rush by this verse. Easy to say, ‘Way to go, Moses.’ Moses’ decision was certainly not a run-of-the-mill, everyday choice like which cereal to eat for breakfast. This was a one-time lifetime…

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” Would Moses’ mother’s plan have worked if he was not a ‘fine’ child? We don’t know, but it…

“By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.” Why did Joseph give directions in regard to his bones? Things were well in the land, and the Jews had the favor of the Egyptians. How did…

“By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.” What did Jacob know when he blessed the two grandsons instead of the son? We look back and see the reality of what happened in the history of the…

“By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.” When Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, he did not know the future except through the promises of God. He believed those promises and spoke of them not as something that might happen but as something that would happen. They were…

“He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” Do you believe in the resurrection? I suspect that most Christians would say yes, but like Martha, we would limit it to the end times. Here are her…

“…of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He was in the act of offering Isaac, knowing that Isaac was key to the promise. Plain as day, God said Isaac would be the source of the great nation God would make of Abraham’s decisions. Then comes…

“By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son.” We want to make sure we point out the difference between test and tempt. God does not tempt, but He does test. How…

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” Why did the faith Hall of Famers not think about where they had been or where they were?…

“If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.” This verse adds to the idea of focus. What goal were the faithful saints of old focused on? Did they have a particular city or country in mind? Did…