"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."
Hebrews 11:24-25
Hebrews chapter eleven is called the “Hall of Faith.” It is the “who’s who” of the Old Testament saints. The men and women listed here are those who God considered to be people of faith, those who were the faithful in life and death. The author admitted that the list is incomplete (Hebrews 11:32-34). But this sampling of God’s hero’s of the faith is a great encouragement and challenge to His children living today. In today’s verses Moses stands out because of his faith. If we don’t understand that what happens next is because of Moses’ faith, we will misunderstand the main point being made here.
As a young man growing up in the palace of Egypt, Moses had to make an important decision that would change the direction of his life. He could choose to stay put, to live his life in Pharaoh’s family as his grandson, and possibly be in line to become pharaoh someday. His life would be luxurious. He would live as royalty, never wanting for anything. He would “have it made.” Or, he could choose to acknowledge his heritage as a Hebrew, a child of Abraham, living in a foreign country. His people were no longer welcomed as guests in that land, but now seen as dangerous intruders and made to be a nation of slaves, serving their landlords. As God’s hand was upon Moses, he wisely chose the right path for his life, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God.” This one decision relocated Moses from a life of ease, and into a life of affliction and hardship.
Some people think Moses made the wrong choice. To give up the world for a life of poor treatment, persecution, and fellowship of suffering with his people, no way! To the “lost” this makes no sense. But to the believer walking with the Lord makes perfectly good sense. Moses was wise enough to realize that the pleasures of this world are only temporary and fleeting at best. Sin does have its pleasures, if it didn’t no one would participate. But note this, “sin [is] for a season,” it is short lived and brings consequences that are usually more painful than the sin was pleasurable. But Moses saw that “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt,” (v, 26). The “risk-reward” factor is so much better in serving Christ. Hardship now, but great reward later. From a purely logical standpoint this makes more sense.
So believer, what is your choice today? To live for sin and pleasure in this world? Or to live for and serve Jesus Christ? It’s really the same choice Moses had to make. Will I live for the “temporary” or the “eternal?”
While a “reward” is God’s promise for a life lived for Him, let’s pray that our reason for serving Him is deeper than that. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,” (Colossians 3:17). Let’s serve our Savior out of a heart of gratitude for all that He has done for us! It’s “all to the glory of God!”