Meditations in Exodus
Exodus 2:11 reads, “And 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.”
Furthermore, Hebrews 11:24-26 declares, “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.”
Finally, in Acts 7:21-23 Stephen gave the report, “And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.”
These three passages of Scripture speak concerning a choice that Moses made when he was forty years old. He had been adopted by Pharaoh’s own daughter and had been raised in the palace as her own son. He had all the privileges of world available to him. Yet he chose “to visit his brethren the children of Israel,” viewing the children of Israel truly as his own people. Indeed, “he went out unto his brethren,” the children of Israel, in order to look upon their burdens, having a desire to determine what he might do to deliver them from those burdens (See Acts 7:25). Yea, as Hebrews 11:24-26 reveals, He chose “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.”
Exodus 2:11 reads, “And 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.”
Furthermore, Hebrews 11:24-26 declares, “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.”
Finally, in Acts 7:21-23 Stephen gave the report, “And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.”
These three passages of Scripture speak concerning a choice that Moses made when he was forty years old. He had been adopted by Pharaoh’s own daughter and had been raised in the palace as her own son. He had all the privileges of world available to him. Yet he chose “to visit his brethren the children of Israel,” viewing the children of Israel truly as his own people. Indeed, “he went out unto his brethren,” the children of Israel, in order to look upon their burdens, having a desire to determine what he might do to deliver them from those burdens (See Acts 7:25). Yea, as Hebrews 11:24-26 reveals, He chose “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.”
Moses’ Privileged Case
As the adopted son of Pharaoh’s own daughter, Moses had many of the privileges of this world available to him. In fact, he had available to him:
1. The privilege of position – being the adopted son of Pharaoh’s own daughter. As such he was in the line of Pharaoh himself, possibly having the opportunity to become the Pharaoh himself at some time in the future. Even more, as such he possessed a position of respect and authority within the hierarchy of Egypt, one of the most powerful nations at that time.
2. The privilege of prestige – being “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians.” (Acts 7:22) Having received this education in the wisdom of Egypt, he would have been recognized as one of the elite. In fact, his learning itself would have commanded respect and honor from those around him.
3. The privilege of power – being “mighty in words and in deeds.” (Acts 7:22) Moses did not simply posses the authority of position without the ability of skill. Rather, Moses was a man of great skill, being abundantly talented in both oratory and accomplishment.
4. The privilege of pleasure – having available to him all of the worldly pleasures that were common in the Egyptian nation at that time. The pleasures of sin were all available for his enjoyment. As the son of Pharaoh’s own daughter, that availability to enjoy such pleasures would have been a daily opportunity.
5. The privilege of possessions – having available to him the abundant treasures of Egypt. Egypt was a wealthy nation at this time, and Moses was a member of the royal family. Whatever money could buy was available for him to acquire. The need for money would not have been a difficulty whatsoever.
Moses’ Spiritual Choice
Yet Moses chose to turn his back upon all of the privileges that he might have had in and from this world. This certainly was not the easy choice, but it was the righteous choice. This certainly was not the comfortable choice, but it was the godly choice. Indeed, in this choice Moses:
1. Refused his privileged position. As Hebrews 11:24 declares, Moses “refused to called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” Moses did not simply fall out of favor. Rather, he made a definite choice to refuse his privileged position in this world as the son of Pharaoh’s own daughter, and to unify himself with his brethren, the children of Israel.
2. Chose to suffer affliction. As Hebrews 11:25 declares, Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God.” He was more concerned to be a part with the people of God, although that meant suffering and affliction, than to be a part with the world’s ungodly crowd. Faced with the choice between “the pleasures of sin for a season” and the suffering of affliction “with the people of God,” Moses chose the way of affliction in godliness over the way of pleasures in sinfulness.
3. Esteemed the reproach of Christ. As Hebrews 11:26 declares, Moses esteemed “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” He held a walk of fellowship with the Lord in far greater esteem than all of the treasures and pleasures that this world could offer to him. Yea, he held a walk of fellowship with the Lord is such great esteem, that even the suffering of great reproach was worth the far greater blessing of the Lord’s fellowship.
4. Respected the reward of God. Again as Hebrews 11:26 declares, Moses “had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” Moses’ focus was not upon the privileges, position, prestige, power, pleasures, or possessions of this world. Rather, Moses’ focus was upon the Lord his God. Moses’ focus was not upon the temporary benefits and comforts of this life. Rather, Moses’ focus was upon the eternal rewards and blessings of God’s hand.
As the adopted son of Pharaoh’s own daughter, Moses had many of the privileges of this world available to him. In fact, he had available to him:
1. The privilege of position – being the adopted son of Pharaoh’s own daughter. As such he was in the line of Pharaoh himself, possibly having the opportunity to become the Pharaoh himself at some time in the future. Even more, as such he possessed a position of respect and authority within the hierarchy of Egypt, one of the most powerful nations at that time.
2. The privilege of prestige – being “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians.” (Acts 7:22) Having received this education in the wisdom of Egypt, he would have been recognized as one of the elite. In fact, his learning itself would have commanded respect and honor from those around him.
3. The privilege of power – being “mighty in words and in deeds.” (Acts 7:22) Moses did not simply posses the authority of position without the ability of skill. Rather, Moses was a man of great skill, being abundantly talented in both oratory and accomplishment.
4. The privilege of pleasure – having available to him all of the worldly pleasures that were common in the Egyptian nation at that time. The pleasures of sin were all available for his enjoyment. As the son of Pharaoh’s own daughter, that availability to enjoy such pleasures would have been a daily opportunity.
5. The privilege of possessions – having available to him the abundant treasures of Egypt. Egypt was a wealthy nation at this time, and Moses was a member of the royal family. Whatever money could buy was available for him to acquire. The need for money would not have been a difficulty whatsoever.
Moses’ Spiritual Choice
Yet Moses chose to turn his back upon all of the privileges that he might have had in and from this world. This certainly was not the easy choice, but it was the righteous choice. This certainly was not the comfortable choice, but it was the godly choice. Indeed, in this choice Moses:
1. Refused his privileged position. As Hebrews 11:24 declares, Moses “refused to called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” Moses did not simply fall out of favor. Rather, he made a definite choice to refuse his privileged position in this world as the son of Pharaoh’s own daughter, and to unify himself with his brethren, the children of Israel.
2. Chose to suffer affliction. As Hebrews 11:25 declares, Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God.” He was more concerned to be a part with the people of God, although that meant suffering and affliction, than to be a part with the world’s ungodly crowd. Faced with the choice between “the pleasures of sin for a season” and the suffering of affliction “with the people of God,” Moses chose the way of affliction in godliness over the way of pleasures in sinfulness.
3. Esteemed the reproach of Christ. As Hebrews 11:26 declares, Moses esteemed “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” He held a walk of fellowship with the Lord in far greater esteem than all of the treasures and pleasures that this world could offer to him. Yea, he held a walk of fellowship with the Lord is such great esteem, that even the suffering of great reproach was worth the far greater blessing of the Lord’s fellowship.
4. Respected the reward of God. Again as Hebrews 11:26 declares, Moses “had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” Moses’ focus was not upon the privileges, position, prestige, power, pleasures, or possessions of this world. Rather, Moses’ focus was upon the Lord his God. Moses’ focus was not upon the temporary benefits and comforts of this life. Rather, Moses’ focus was upon the eternal rewards and blessings of God’s hand.
Posted in Meditations in Exodus, Godly Priorities, Fellowship with the Lord, Separation, Walk in Righteousness
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