Epistles

Sunday, 24 March 2019

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27

The account continues with Moses, but it contains a thought which seems contradictory to the Exodus account. The author proclaims, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.” Is this to be tied in with the previous thought of verses 24-26, or is it to be taken with the next thought concerning the Passover.

1) If it is connected to his first departure from Egypt to Midian, then it contradicts the account as recorded. The words of Exodus 2 read, “So Moses feared and said, ‘Surely this thing is known!’ ¹⁵ When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well” (Exodus 2:14, 15). The record stands that “he feared.”

2) If it is connected to the Passover, then it is out of order because the Passover preceded the Exodus.

The answer is that during his time away from Egypt, Moses encountered the Lord, was established in his faith, and was encouraged by the promise of the presence and assistance of his brother Aaron. These things are recorded in Exodus 3 & 4 and in Exodus 4:29-31, where Moses came to the elders of the children of Israel and showed them the signs the Lord had given him to bring about their release. In Exodus 5:1, it then says, “‘“Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.”’”

Moses had grown in his courage and no longer feared the wrath of the king. In his return to Egypt, he as the acknowledged representative of Israel, forsook Egypt. He was spiritually prepared for the challenge ahead as the plagues of Egypt led to the time of Israel’s release from their bondage.

This is why the next two verses, which will still refer to Moses, speak first of the keeping of the Passover, but also say that “he kept the Passover” in the singular, even though all of Israel kept it, and then it says, “they passed through the Red Sea,” in the plural. Moses stood as representative of Israel, and Israel was led by Moses. Thus what he forsook, Israel also forsook. And both did so “not fearing the wrath of the king.” And this was because “he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”

These words confirm that the first clause is speaking not of his exile to Midian, but of his time of endurance while facing Pharaoh. Moses never saw God in the burning bush. The flames simply made His presence known. He heard the voice, and he continued to hear the voice direct him throughout his time prior to the people’s exodus; and he endured, understanding that the voice which instructed him was as sure as if seeing Him.

Life application: It was by faith that Moses endured as seeing Him who is invisible. What an incredible statement! It has been said, “What is more foolish, a man who believes in a God he cannot see, or a man who is angry about a God he doesn’t believe in.” Moses had never actually seen God. Instead, he had seen a burning bush which spoke to him, but the bush actually hid the glory of God. It was a visible manifestation provided for Moses’ sake. In the end, though, it was faith in a God he couldn’t see that gave him the strength and fortitude to not fear Pharaoh. Such is the case with each believer in Christ. We can’t “see” God anymore today than Moses did then. And Jesus has ascended to the Father so that we cannot now see Him either. But what did He say to His disciples –

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

All we have is the Bible to tell us of Jesus. When we accept Him, we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, whom we also can’t see. Therefore, we are living by faith and not by sight. Our hope and trust is in the One who can make the invisible visible, the unknowable knowable, who unites the infinite with the finite. Because of Jesus, we can have fellowship where it once didn’t exist and we can have peace in place of anxiety. If you are facing troubles because of your Christian walk – whether in the workplace, with family members, or in any other way – then remember Moses’ example. By faith, he saw Him who was invisible and was found pleasing to God because of that faith. Be strong and unwavering in your convictions about the Person and work of Jesus.

Lord Jesus, give us wisdom to follow You and to trust Your word as the rule and guide of our lives. Give us faith to not fear those who persecute us because of our love and devotion to You. And Lord, we look forward with anticipation to that day when our faith will become sight – when we see the beauty of Your majesty in person. What a happy day that will be! Amen.

Saturday, 23 March 2019

…esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Hebrews 11:26

The author now builds upon the previous words concerning Moses’ refusal to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Taking this verse with the previous verse, and with that thought in mind, it says –

“choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”

In this verse, the author notes Moses’ “esteeming the reproach of Christ.” There are several major views on what this means. The first is that Moses understood that the promise of restoration made in Genesis 3:15 was to come through the Hebrew people. With this knowledge, he chose to suffer affliction with them, esteeming the reproach of Christ.

Another view is that he simply suffered the types of sufferings that Christ suffered. In this, he would be a picture of Christ to come, but without any purposeful intent on his part.

A third option is that the author of Hebrews is using this wording in relation to the general sufferings that were expected in the course of exercising one’s faith. As Christ is the epitome of any such example, the term, “the reproach of Christ,” is simply an idiomatic expression which conveys the meaning for any and all who suffer because of their faith.

The only option which matches the intent of the passage is the first. Moses “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction.” The author has selected words which demonstrate that Moses made intentional choices with an end view in mind. It was because of who the Hebrew people were, and his understanding of their role, that he willingly made his choice. This is made clear in Exodus 2:11 where it says, “And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.”

In his response to this, he killed the Egyptian, rejecting his adopted status because he esteemed “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” As an adopted Egyptian, he could have joined in pounding on the Hebrew, laughing it off as an exercise in fun, and then gone home to his treasures. But, in having known about the promise, he looked forward to the promise instead.

This is all the more certain, because the Greek includes an article which is unfortunately disregarded by both the KJV and the NKJV. It does not say, “the reproach of Christ,” but rather, “the reproach of the Christ.” It is not a general statement concerning a shadowy representation of Moses and Jesus, but a definite anticipation of the Christ to come. Moses knew Christ was promised, he looked forward to that promise, and instead of being content with the earthly treasures he already possessed, “he looked to the reward.”

Moses understood that the anticipation of Messiah was man’s highest goal. Nothing else in this life compares to what is anticipated in the promise of Messiah. It must be so because the promise was made at the very fall of man. If a promise has been made for something, until the promise is fulfilled, it is the highest anticipation of anything which comes in that same category.

For example, if one enjoys soda and is given all of the types of soda on earth to drink, and he is given a promise of the best soda coming at some future point, then that is the highest anticipation. All the other sodas will be enjoyed only with a view to the best which is yet to come, because they cannot compare to the promised beverage of delight.

In the promise of Messiah, coming right at the fall of man, it is thus implicitly a promise which exceeds anything since the fall of man. In His coming is the promise of all things better than that which exists prior to His coming. And in His coming, the highest benefits of all will be realized. Moses “looked to the reward” of Messiah, and he forsook the temporary, earthly, and wholly deficient treasures which could never satisfy.

Life application: What are you willing to give up for Christ? What challenge is too great? What loss is unacceptable? Jesus said it as clearly as is possible –

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

Outside of Christ, there is no other ticket, no other avenue, no other payment for the soul. Moses, although not fully understanding the mystery of Christ, knew enough to accept disgrace for His sake. He knew there was a reward for his faith and his faithfulness. And so he stepped away from the riches of Egypt, which are no riches at all, and into the true wealth of his Creator.

If you have accepted Christ, what are you willing to give up that He may be glorified? People are dying in foreign lands without ever hearing of Jesus. A thousand languages on earth still don’t have a single verse of Scripture in their own language. People are walking by churches without ever being invited in to hear the good news. When you go out today, think on the “walking dead” you encounter and have compassion. Eternity is a long time. The soul without Christ is an unimaginable horror. In all you do, leave the comfort of your riches and look forward to the life which is truly life. As Paul so beautifully said it –

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ…” Philippines 3:7, 8

Jesus, You have given us the examples of faith which are pleasing to You. Included in these is that of Moses. He walked away from the greatest wealth the world had to offer. But that was no wealth at all compared to the surpassing wealth of sharing in You. May we be so moved to follow You wherever we are led! Amen.

Friday, 22 March 2019

…choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, Hebrews 11:25

The words continue from the previous verse, and are speaking of Moses who “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” The author notes that instead of this, he chose “rather to suffer affliction.” The word rendered as “choosing” by the NKJV is an aorist verb. It is better rendered as “having chosen,” or “chose.” He made the decision, and it was final, not ongoing. Moses determined that suffering affliction was preferable to living in luxury in Egypt. And why, because it was “with the people of God.”

If the people of God are the bearers of the promise, then what would be the point of a temporary life of luxury and ease? Moses looked past this life and made his decision. This fully explains the “By faith” which introduced this thought. Looking at the definition of faith as provided in verse 11:1, we can be reminded of this –

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Moses, understanding that the Hebrew people are the people of God, then concluded that their temporary plight (as great and burdensome as it was) was working out a much greater glory in the plan of redemption set out by God so long ago. This is exactly what faith is – an anticipation of something hoped for, but not yet realized. How easy it would be if we could see the glorious riches of heaven and work our way up to them, proving ourselves worthy along the way. But the message of the Bible is that none are worthy apart from Christ (see the next verse of Hebrews to understand this more fully), and therefore, we must live by faith in something described in only minimal – but marvelous – detail.

In suffering affliction with God’s people, Moses rejected the enjoyment of “the passing pleasures of sin.” How easy it is to enjoy the things of this world! And indeed, the more enjoyable they are, the more they tend to rank on the high side of the “sin scale.” This is because sin is an enticement for us to feel comfortable in this fallen world, apart from God. But God calls for holiness, and for a separation unto Him. This is because what is promised exceedingly outshines the greatest temptations of this life, but we can only accept this by faith.

Further, the things of this world, including all of its sinful enticements, are “passing.” They are temporary and will be gone someday. There will be nothing left of them, and the joyful hope we put in them will suddenly be ended. However, the things of God and the promises He gives are “eternal.” If we can, by faith, accept this, then we are truly in the sweet spot. We do not have sight. And this is what we, along with the ancients, will be rewarded for. The thought of this verse is somewhat mirrored by 2 Corinthians 4 –

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Life application: As we have seen, Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter and was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Had he wanted, he could have lived a life of leisure and prosperity, and yet he chose a seemingly less enjoyable path, being mistreated along with God’s people. Although the Bible doesn’t specifically tell us what prompted this, we can infer where he obtained these values. In Exodus 2, we learned that when Moses was placed in the river, his sister stood at some distance waiting to see what would happen. When he was found we read the following –

Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

⁸ And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. ⁹ Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. Exodus 2:7-9

Moses was still raised by his own mother for a certain period, but it was paid for at the expense of Egypt! In those early years, until he was old enough for adoption, he was most likely told about the one true God. This early training in monotheism certainly stayed with him all his life. The lesson each parent should take to heart is that even if the child strays at one time or another, if the foundation was properly laid, eventually the stability of that early instruction will outlast the temporary structures that were built on it. If you are struggling with a child who once accepted Christ and later strayed, join the club…it’s a big one. In the end, keep praying to God, and that restoration and a return to the foundation will hopefully come about.

Lord, you know the struggles and trials we as parents face. You know how it hurts us to see our children wander from the truth. But Your word gives us hope through those days of sadness, because in such days is our anticipation that they will return to the solid foundation of a close walk with You. This is a great hope and comfort to our weary souls. Amen.

Thursday, 21 March 2019

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, Hebrews 11:24

The author now turns directly to Moses. Whereas the previous verse spoke of Moses only in relation to his parents, the faith of Moses himself is now highlighted. The author notes the account of Exodus 2:11, where he cites the Greek translation of that passage saying, “when he became of age.” The entire verse says –

“Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.”

This is then followed up by the author with the thought that he “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” The text implies this in the next verse of Exodus 2, which says that “…he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand” (Exodus 2:12).

By aligning himself with the Hebrew people, he disassociated himself from his adopted family. He understood that he was, and would always be, a Hebrew. Though it would be many years later before he was truly aligned with them in a way which would benefit them, this first recorded act on his part demonstrated that his natural inclination was to be identified with the Hebrew people. The author will explain what this means concerning Moses the man in the verses ahead.

Life application: It is important to be careful not to let movies or written stories over-influence our notion of biblical characters. Very little is said of Moses’ adopted mother or him during his youth. If you read Exodus 2:5-10, that’s all you’ll get about her and his early life from the Old Testament. The very next verse (verse 11) occurs when he is forty years old. The only other thing that we can determine from the Bible about the intervening years is recorded in Acts 7:20-22 during Stephen’s speech –

“At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months. ²¹ But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. ²² And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.”

Unfortunately, because of movies like The Ten Commandments, people mix story information with the Bible. This verse in Hebrews gives us an insight into Moses and his character not otherwise revealed elsewhere in the Bible, and which probably came from a source similar to that spoken by Stephen in Acts 7. This may have been an oral or a written tradition, but as it was written by an apostle under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can be certain of its accuracy. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus records quite a bit of extra-biblical information on Moses which is interesting, but should that not be held as authoritative. All of the writings of Josephus can be found online by a simple internet search. Enjoy your studies, but be careful to remember what is, and what is not, Scripture.

Lord God, how wonderful it is to read and know your word! Thank you that what the Bible records is useful for our instruction, our edification, and our contemplation. Thank you also for telling us about the faithful believers of the past. By reading about their lives, we can be built up in our faith as well. Thank You for having provided us so much in Your word to guide our steps. Amen.

Wednesday, 20 March 2019

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. Hebrews 11:23

The author now moves to Moses. He will be mentioned directly or indirectly in more verses in Hebrews 11 than any other figure. And, as usual, the author begins with, “By faith Moses.” However, this first noted act of faith is not directly by Moses, but by his parents. This is noted in the words, “when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents.”

The parents of Moses were Amram and Jochebed. In the last verse of the first chapter of Exodus, it says –

“So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, ‘Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.’” Exodus 1:22

This is followed immediately by these verses from Exodus chapter 2 –

“And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. ² So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. ³ But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. ⁴ And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. Exodus 2:1-4

The account in Exodus ascribes the act of hiding Moses to the mother. And this would have been mostly her doing. The father would work and be concerned with the greater affairs of the household. The mother would be the one to accomplish the majority of the duty of hiding the newborn. But the father would not be unaware of the act, and he would bear moral responsibility for it. Therefore, both are mentioned here. And this is because “they saw he was a beautiful child.”

The Greek word is asteios, and it is only found here and in Acts 7:20 where it also speaks of the beauty of Moses. The word comes from astu, a city. And so this word literally means, “belonging to the city.” This is because a city is considered a place of polished manners and living. Thus, one could paraphrase this word as “he was a city dweller,” and the sense may be brought out.

Because of the elegant nature of the child, the parents were all the more emboldened, “and they were not afraid of the king’s command.” The two aspects, that of the beauty of the child, and their not caring about obeying an immoral command, combined into their determination to hide the child. It is ascribed to them as an act of faith.

Life application: Keeping the child would have resulted in death if they were caught, but by disobeying the edict for these three months they gave the baby a fighting chance – no matter how small – compared to that of a newborn. As Peter says in the book of Acts, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Even after placing the child in the basket, they had Moses’ sister watch out for him until he was found and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. This account should remind us that God is working out all things for His purposes. Even when we don’t understand the sorrows or troubles we are facing, He does. Nothing you are facing is beyond God’s knowledge or is outside of His plans and purposes. Have faith, just as Amram and Jochebed did, even in the face of great hardship.

Lord, give us the ability to trust that the sadness, loss, hardship, and uncertainty we face really do serve a higher and more glorious purpose. As hard as it is, help us to never grumble against Your perfect plan which is being worked out through us, Your children, through faith in Christ. Amen.