We have heard of Moses and his leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. Many have seen the movie "The Ten Commandments" which portrays the life of Moses. Because of his role in Israel's history, he is mentioned often in both the Old and New Testaments.
The writer of Hebrews chose Moses as another example of one who lived by faith. "Faith comes
by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Moses heard the Word of God, believed it, and was blessed by God. Moses' faith enabled him to make the decisions mentioned in our text.
THE REFUSAL BY FAITH
Hebrews 11:24: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called
the son of Pharaoh's daughter."
Refused, (Greek, aireomai)—to deny, to renounce, to reject.
The offer. "To be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter."
Acts 7:20, 21: "In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his
father's house three months: And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and
nourished him for her own son."
The offer meant that he was to be royalty—a prince in Egypt. This also meant that he was to be the ruler of Egypt.
The opportunity.
Acts 7:22: "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words
and in deeds." He received an excellent education: The wisdom of Egypt and the Word of God.
The objection. "Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter."
This meant that he refused the position of royalty in Egypt, and refused the riches of Egypt. This refusal came because his faith gave him the strength to say "NO."
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THE REPROACH OF FAITH
Hebrews 11:25: "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than
to enjoy the pleasures of sins for a season."
Suffer affliction with Israel.
This choice was made by faith. In his refusal to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, he chose to suffer affliction, to be ill-treated, with the people of God. Through the Word of God, Moses had learned that the children of Israel were the people of God.
Acts 7:23-29: 23And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to
visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24And seeing one of them suffer wrong,
he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
25For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand
would deliver them: but they understood not. 26And the next day he shewed
himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying,
Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27But he that did his
neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge
over us? 28Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? 29Then fled
Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat
two sons.
Exodus 2:11-14: 11And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown,
that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an
Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12And he looked this way and
that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid
him in the sand. 13And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the
Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore
smitest thou thy fellow? 14And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over
us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared,
and said, Surely this thing is known.
Gave up the pleasures of sin for a season.
Pleasure (Greek, hedone)—delight, enjoyment, pleasurable sensation. The pleasures of sin are temporary. The pleasures of sin are not worth the price to be paid.
THE REWARD OF FAITH
Hebrews 11:26: "Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward."
Esteem (Greek, Hegeomai)—to view, to regard as being so and so, to count, to reckon. Reproach (Greek, oneidismos)—defamation, reproach, reviling.
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Recompence of the reward (Greek, misthapodosia)—full payment of wages.
Hebrews 11:26: Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
The value that was seen by faith (Verse 26), the treasures in Egypt, and the reproach of the Christ.
He counted the reproach of the Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.
2 Corinthians 12:10: "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak,
then am I strong."
James 1:2-4: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have
her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
1 Peter 1:6-9: "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be,
ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial your faith, being
much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto the praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet
believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of
your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
The view of the future recompence.
E. W. Bullinger wrote: "If we believe what we have heard from God about His Christ, and this brings reproach upon us, it ought to make us the happiest of beings. It ought to act like water to a parched plant. It ought to make our joy grow exceedingly." (Great Cloud of Witnesses, p242).
Dr. Vance Havner: "Moses chose the imperishable, saw the invisible, and did the impossible."
The reason was this: "Moses had respect, (looked away from the treasures and from the reproach), unto the recompence." The twofold recompence is: The retribution of the ungodly, and the reward of the righteous.
Conclusion
The whole life of Moses was based on and governed by faith in what God had declared concerning both the ungodly and the righteous. Faith enabled Moses to see the truth about things and gave him the courage to make the right decisions.
Do you know what God has said? Do you believe it? Does your faith give you the strength to say
"yes" to God and His ways and strength to say "no" to Satan and his ways?
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