by faith…
Hebrews 11:24-26 “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 recompence of the reward.”
Faith and true seeing are linked absolutely in this chapter. By faith, the heroes of the Bible “saw” the true value and meaning of life….their life…in relation to God, and His Will
Moses had been taken from the ark of bulrushes his mother had made to hide him in, to save him from Pharaoh’s order to kill all the male Israelites ,….by Pharaoh’s daughter……and she had raised him in the palace with all the teaching and affluence of the place, and title.
But….”when he was come to years”….this phrase suggesting that Moses as he grew older understood by faith that the pomp and wealth of the Pharaohs was not what true life was about….
(1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child,…I thought as a child: but when I became man, I put away childish things.”)
…and by faith, Moses relinquished the wealth and authority of one of the greatest nations on earth, at that time. For Moses “saw” that to share in the Israelites humiliation would end in a greater reward from God,…
…than all the pleasures of sin.
(“the pleasures of sin” is an interesting phrase here….for it suggests that Moses knew that as an Israelite…he could not remain in the palace as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter and not sin. How much we need to rely on our faith to help us “see”, as God sees!
Romans 14:23 “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”)
Faith would not even consider the alternative plan…
…..that he could be an advocate for Israel…in the palace. He could take care of them…a patron, of sorts….without giving up his Egyptian status…..in Egypt.
No!
By faith, he saw that he must join them in whatever trials they had! That is where faith led him.
For he esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Esteemed means that he weighed them…as in scales. Moses counted the cost…and he acted on this accounting.
(Phil.3:8 “…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:…”
Luke 14:27-33 “…So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple”)
The reproaches of Christ….against the treasures of Egypt. This is what Moses weighed….and the reproaches of Christ won.
(We think of “the reproaches of Christ” a New Testament term….but by faith [and how much it lets us “see]
Moses saw that all who believed in God and His Messiah to come…. would be reproached [made fun of….chided, or disgraced] by the world….esp. the prosperous world.
Yet again, in faith, Moses esteemed that reproach with Messiah’s people, better than all that Egypt offered him! For faith led him to see God….and His estimation of things.
Wow! how much we need that faith now, in these times….when “success”, “power”, and “money” are being placed before the eyes of Christians, and esp. young Christians.)
So Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter any longer,….but sought out God’s people.
(We know there was failure there, for Moses did not understand…the ‘how” of God’s Will. Exodus 2:11-15. At this time Moses runs to save his life…yet, God did not forsake him for his failure….but at the appointed time, led him back to Egypt….with the knowledge he needed….the “how of God’s Will”.
God would deliver His people, and Moses would bring them out.
Exodus 2:8, 10 “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of the land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey…
Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”)
Hebrews 11:27 “By faith he forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible.”
This forsook is after Moses returns to Egypt. Once he did fear Pharoah, but now he was delivered from this fear,…and sees that by God’s Word and power,… that Pharaoh’s wrath is powerless. (Exodus 10:28-29)
This forsook means that he would not compromise about God’s Will….all Israel would leave Egypt, with their wives and children…and their cattle and herds.
Pharaoh had at first tried to get them to worship the Lord “in the land”…(Exodus 8:25)
But Moses refused….
…we cannot worship the Lord aright if we are still wrapped up in the world.
Then Pharaoh tried to say, “Go, but only the men.” (Exodus 10:11)
But Moses refused….
…we cannot leave our families, or children to the world, and worship the Lord as He wants.
Then Pharaoh tried to say, “All the people go, only leave your flocks and herds” (Exodus 10:24)
But Moses refused….God’s Will was that they all…and their cattle and herds forsake Egypt…and by faith Moses saw this done! “..there shall not an hoof be left behind…”
Oh, that we might be so diligent in the Lord’s Will for our lives, and worship!
Hebrews 11:28 “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest He that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”
We come to the Passover! And again by faith in the Word of the Lord, Moses…four days before the actual event….preaches to Israel the Way of deliverance by the blood of the lamb.
Each household was to keep, and then slay the lamb….putting the blood on the top door post and the two side posts, and shelter under this blood, in the house.
Moses drew in Israel here….into faith in the Lord’s Word and sacrifice.
They are not yet delivered from Egypt….and Pharaoh had refused to let them go in every other instance….yet…Moses faith ignites their faith, and they are saved from the destroyer of the firstborn, by sheltering under the blood.
….. they, by faith will be delivered from the last judgment…which is a universal judgment on those in the land….on all who are not sheltered under the blood of the Lamb.
Hebrews 11:29 “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.”
And now, as the Lord had said to Moses….they (Israel) were delivered from Egypt. The faith of all Israel is noted here….for each had to step out into the Red sea…and cross it, the Egyptians in pursuit.
Faith saw the Red sea opened before them….and faith walked through it.
Amazing miracle and deliverance….and it is entered into by faith.
They took the first step, uncertain of what lay ahead, but certain of the Way…and kept taking those steps, by faith.
But God also speaks of the unbelieving presumption of the Egyptians….they “ assaying to do”…which means that they saw the way, and tested it…..not in believing obedience…but in “We will show them!”….if they can do this, we can!
But were drowned.
Where no faith is….the right Way….simply tried in presumption, produces no deliverance.
Faith is the governing influence in our lives. It shows us God and HIs Word to us….and helps us believe HIm. It goes on and shows us His Way….and helps us to be obedient.
Moses faith in God led him out of a wealthy palace….and into the Presence of God.
Our faith in Christ will also lead us to reject the world’s influence….”forsake it”….and “esteem”….count the value of Christ more than worth it.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 