Step of Faith Versus Leap of Faith

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 32:1-15

 

Jeremiah 32:15

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.’

(ESV)

 

Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The faith referred to in this verse is faith in the existence of God with God pleased in our belief in our creator. In the same chapter, Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. Therefore, faith pleasing to God is faith in God our creator even though we have never seen him face-to-face with the hope of spending eternity with God. To exercise this God-pleasing step of faith, one must acknowledge their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10) or what Christians refer to as accepting Jesus as his or her savior. If you have never taken this step of faith, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Jeremiah 32:1-15 is the account of Jeremiah’s purchase of a plot of land in Anathoth and happens at a time when the army of Nebuchadnezzar was besieging Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:2). The purchase of a plot of land in an area under siege seems crazy but may indicate Jeremiah believes something in faith that assures him that the people of Israel will once again buy houses, fields, and vineyards in the land of Israel (Jeremiah 32:15). Therefore, we must ask if this act of faith by Jeremiah was a step of faith or a leap of faith. To do this, we must define the difference between a step of faith and a leap of faith.

 

1)      Leap of faith (Joshua 7:1-9) – Joshua 7:1-9 occurs after the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27). The victory over Jericho occurred because Israel followed the instructions of the Lord with God causing the fall of Jericho and not because of the might of the army of Israel, but by God’s power. Joshua 7:1 states that Israel broke faith with God when Achan took some of the things devoted to other gods, causing the anger of the Lord to burn against His people. However, instead of seeking God before attacking Ai, where God would have revealed the sin of Achan before Israel entering into battle, Joshua takes a leap of faith and attacks Ai, suffering defeat (Joshua 7:2-5). Joshua might have seen the ease with which Israel defeated Jericho and believed the rest of the Canaanites would fall just as easily. This is an example of a leap of faith that is not based on seeking counsel from God. From this example, we can define a leap of faith as one stepping ahead of God in presumptive faith, believing God has our back based on past experiences.

2)      Step of faith (Joshua 7:10-8:29) – After their defeat at Ai, Joshua falls on his knees in repentance with God revealing the reason for Israel’s defeat, the sin of Achan (Joshua 7:10-12). God then instructs Joshua on how to deal with this sin so Israel can once again stand in victory against their enemies (Joshua 7:13-26). While the stoning of Achan and his family seems severe because Christians today live under the grace of God with Jesus taking the severe penalty of sin, it does indicate how much God hates sin. After dealing with the sin of Achan, Joshua takes a step of faith by seeking God as he did before attacking Jericho and receives a plan from God on how to defeat Ai (Joshua 8:1-29). From this example, we can define a step of faith as an act of stepping out in faith, based upon seeking God and having His direction in our lives.

 

Jeremiah’s purchase of a plot of land in Anathoth is not a leap of faith but a step of faith because he had received instruction from the Lord that the exile would last 70 years with Israel once again returning to the land (Jeremiah 25:1-14). Jeremiah steps out on his belief in a seventy-year exile by purchasing land for his family to live in after returning to Israel. With the benefit of hindsight, we know Israel did return to the land of Israel after the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1).  

 

People use the terms leap of faith and step of faith interchangeably but there is a difference in the terms. A step of faith is something one takes based upon Biblical truth. It resembles a running back in football moving the ball forward by staying behind his blockers who keep him safe by blocking those looking to tackle him. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that the Word of God is the light guiding our feet as we follow the path illuminated by God. A leap of faith is one forging out ahead in faith with no basis of Biblical truth like the false prophecy of Hananiah whose false prophecy predicted a two-year exile, a leap of faith with no biblical basis of truth (Jeremiah 28:1-3). Jeremiah’s purchase of a plot of land in Israel is not a leap of faith but a step of faith based on the Word of the Lord that the exile would last seventy years with the Israelites returning to the land (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). 

 

It Is important to take Scripture in context to truly interpret it before its application in our lives. An example would be John 10:10 which some have interpreted to mean that God promises every one of his children an abundance of wealth and riches. However, the context of the verse is Jesus as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). A better interpretation of this verse that we can take a step of faith on is the abundance promised in this scripture is eternal life provided by Jesus laying down his life for humanity’s sin.

 

Scripture also promises healing by the stripes Jesus took (Isaiah 53:5). Taken by itself, one could interpret this scripture to mean Jesus is our healer and there is no need for doctors or other health care professionals. However, the context of Isaiah 53:5 is Isaiah’s prophesy describing a crucifixion. Isaiah may have seen blood coming from the wounds Jesus suffered from His whipping and is stating that the shed blood from these wounds brings healing from the plague of sin in our lives. However, this does not mean that God does not provide healing from disease by doctors but broadens the definition of healing to also include healing from our sin.

 

As believers, it is crucial to have faith for that is how we please God (Hebrews 11:6). It does not take big faith (Matthew 17:20), but faith anchored to the Word of God with its application based on the correct contextual application of the scripture with consideration of the scripture’s broader application. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.