"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; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward."
Hebrews 11:24-26
Part 1
What a rich text Hebrews chapter 11 is for us who know the Lord, it is the “Hall of Faith.” In this chapter are memorials to godly men and women. These have “kept the faith” throughout their lives and their service for God. These people faced incredible hardships and yet remained faithful. Moses is one of the many who God has good things to say about.
“By faith Moses.”
He was faithful, and he lived by faith.
“When he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”
It was dangerous times in Egypt when a young Jewish couple, Amram and Jochebed, had their third child, a son they named Moses. Because of Pharaoh’s edict that all Hebrew male babies must be put to death, his parents took extraordinary steps to protect him. One day the infant Moses was discovered in his bed of reeds floating in the river. And as God planned it, Pharaoh’s daughter,[1] going against her father’s command, adopted little Moses as her own son. This little boy was “drawn out of the river.” He grew up in the household of the Pharaoh of Egypt. His life was filled with all the blessings and advantages of royalty. But God worked in Moses’ heart. When he reached maturity, he gave up his life in the palace to live with and lead his people!
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction.”
It was Ahmose I, who was the Pharaoh that “knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). And for the next eighty years, and three more Pharaohs, the conditions under which the Hebrew Children lived and worked became extremely bleak. In that time, being a Hebrew was difficult, and their lives subject to the taskmasters and their cruelty. It was during this time that God moved Moses to give up his royal upbringing and to live again with his people.
“With the people of God.”
Moses knew that God’s chosen people were also his people. He was willing to suffer with them.
Believers, when we suffer, we are never alone, God is here with us, and our brothers and sisters in Christ are here too. Come back tomorrow and let us see what Moses had to look forward to.
[1] She is believed to be Hatshepsut, the daughter of Thutmose II.