Hebrews 11:20-28: a reflection

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time, 26considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

Among the heroes of faith the writer to the Hebrews recalls, Moses stands out for a costly choice he made by faith. When he had grown up, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill treatment with God's people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time. He counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. Moses could have kept the wealth and status of Egypt; instead he chose to suffer with God's people, valuing the reproach of Christ above all Egypt's treasures, because he looked beyond the present to the reward. His faith weighed the passing pleasures of sin against the lasting reward of God, and chose the reward, though it meant sharing his people's affliction.

Notice the choice Moses made by faith: to value the reproach of Christ above the treasures of Egypt. He could have enjoyed the pleasures and wealth of Egypt; but he chose instead to share the affliction of God's people, counting the reproach of Christ as greater riches than all Egypt's treasures. What made this possible was that he looked to the reward; he weighed the passing pleasures of sin against the lasting reward of God, and saw which was truly greater. The pleasures of sin were real but passing, for a time; the reward of God was lasting. Moses' faith looked beyond the present to the reward, and so chose affliction with God's people over the fleeting comforts of Egypt. By faith he valued Christ above wealth, because he looked to what lasts.

That is worth taking to heart, for we are called, like Moses, to value Christ above earthly treasure, looking to the reward. We can be drawn by the passing pleasures and treasures the world offers, and shrink from the cost of standing with God's people; but Moses by faith counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, because he looked to the reward. The pleasures of sin are passing; the reward of God is lasting. Do not choose the passing pleasures and treasures of the world over Christ; value the reproach of Christ above earthly treasure, as Moses did, looking to the reward. Value Christ above earthly treasure and be willing to share the affliction of God's people rather than enjoy sin's passing pleasures, as Moses by faith counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt and looked to the reward; for the pleasures of sin are real but passing, the reward of God is lasting, and faith looks beyond the present to what endures, choosing Christ above the fleeting treasures of the world.

Lord, among the heroes of faith the writer to the Hebrews recalls, Moses stands out for a costly choice he made by faith. When he had grown up, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill treatment with your people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time. He counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. Moses could have kept the wealth and status of Egypt; instead he chose to suffer with your people, valuing the reproach of Christ above all Egypt's treasures, because he looked beyond the present to the reward. Show me the choice Moses made by faith: to value the reproach of Christ above the treasures of Egypt. He could have enjoyed the pleasures and wealth of Egypt; but he chose instead to share the affliction of your people. What made this possible was that he looked to the reward; he weighed the passing pleasures of sin against the lasting reward of God, and saw which was truly greater. The pleasures of sin were real but passing; the reward of God was lasting. Take that to my heart, for I am called, like Moses, to value Christ above earthly treasure, looking to the reward. I can be drawn by the passing pleasures and treasures the world offers, and shrink from the cost of standing with your people; but Moses by faith counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. The pleasures of sin are passing; your reward is lasting. Keep me from choosing the passing pleasures of the world over Christ; help me value the reproach of Christ above earthly treasure, Lord, as Moses did, looking to the reward.