By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Heb_11:24-26)
By faith, Moses renounced his place of privilege in Pharoah’s family, choosing to identify himself with God’s people. He knew that loss and suffering awaited him. Yet, he was strengthened to make this life-shaping decision by esteeming Christ’s riches above Egypt’s, by faith.
When Moses identified with the Israelites, he was joining himself to the people of the Messiah, the Anointed One (the Christ). From the earliest days, the people of God had been promised an Anointed Deliverer. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He [the Savior] shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel . . . I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you [by the coming of Messiah] all the families of the earth shall be blessed . . . The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Prince of Peace] comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Gen_3:15; Gen_12:3; and Gen_49:10).
Yet, this heaven-sent King, as well as His people, would encounter reproach. “He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him . . . Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isa_53:3 and Isa_60:14). In spite of such reproach, Moses joined himself to the Messiah and His people.
Moses understood that it was more enriching to stand with a divine, though despised, Messiah than to have all the material treasures of Egypt: “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” He made this wise evaluation by considering the eternal consequences: “for he looked to the reward.” He anticipated eternal realities that subsequent men of God would powerfully proclaim. “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever . . . . Whereas you have been forsaken and hated . . . I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations” (Psa_73:26 and Isa_60:15).
Prayer Confession
Dear Jesus, the Christ, my Messiah, I want to stand with You and Your people, even if it means sharing in Your reproach. I know that You will strengthen me now and be my portion forever. By Your eternal excellencies make me a joy to others now, as I await with eager anticipation Your everlasting kingdom, Amen.
