God approached Cain, when he offered an unacceptable offering to the Lord. God brought him to a crossroad to let him know that sin crouched at the door and sought to overcome him but that he should master it. Cain, however, chose not to master the sin that had beset him. It showed the fact that Cain did not have genuine faith in God and it led him to a path of eternal separation from God. The key idea in this passage is that God’s Word will bring us to the crossroads of some very difficult decisions that are, in reality, life and death decisions to determine the genuine quality of our faith. In this passage the author describes for us three aspects that show genuine faith in these verses.
I. Moses’ Parents’ Courage
The first aspect that shows genuine faith here is found in verse 23. In this verse we see Moses’ parents’ courage. The author says, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” The faith of Moses’ parents was seen in the fact that they refused to do wrong though the consequences for doing so would have been severe. There were two ways their faith-filled courage was displayed.
A. They understood they had a special child
The first way they displayed their faith-filled courage was found in that they understood they had a special child. At the beginning of verse 23 the author notes, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child.” The word “beautiful” child is only used here and in Acts 7:20, where Stephen mentions Moses in his martyrdom defense. In Acts, Stephen says that Moses was “lovely in the sight of God” (or literally, “lovely before God”). The NIV translates this as “no ordinary child” and it describes for us the fact that his parents had received some kind of revelation from God concerning Moses (as one commentator states).
Moses’ parents treated him in this special way, first because they had some word from God to tell them he was to be a deliverer for the nation of Israel. In the Jewish tradition there is a story that a star preceded Moses’ birth. And it was the appearance of this star that caused Pharaoh to kill the male children because a deliverer or judge for the people of Israel had arrived (Does this sound familiar?). Whether or not this was true, it was true that his parents had been given some kind of revelation upon which they acted in faith. The author is again getting the point across to us that faith is rooted firmly in the words of God so we have “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It is this trust in the words of God that caused Moses’ parents to hide their child for three months. Now this is not to say that they wouldn’t have kept their child safe otherwise, since it is clear from Scripture that infanticide is murder. Perhaps because God knew they would keep their children safe he sent Moses through them. After all Aaron was only born three years earlier than Moses, could he have been a child marked for death by Pharaoh’s decree?
The passage tells us that they heard from God concerning Moses and made special provision for him in keeping him safe. It may even have been special revelation that caused his parents to make the reed boat for him when they could no longer safely hide him at home. But this is conjecture. What we do know is that their trust in the words of God caused them to provide for him in a completely different way than had they not been spoken to about him.
B. They understood whom to fear
The second way they displayed their faith-filled courage was found in that they understood whom to fear. The second part of verse 23 says, “They were not afraid of the king’s edict.” Their faith caused them to look beyond the threats of the king of Egypt and take refuge in the fear of God. They knew that though the king might destroy their home and goods, steal their children or take their lives they recognized that it was God to whom they would give an account for their actions. Our fear is not due some earthly potentate. The Scripture tells us to honor those in authority but not fear them. Peter, in his first epistle says, “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” Note that Peter says we are to have the same kind of respect for those in authority as we have for other people. He said, “Honor all people…honor the king.” We are not to raise them above us for they are subject to the same moral law as we are. When they order that which is against God’s law then they must give an account for it. Peter says, the One we are to fear is God. Jesus said, “do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
There is a need today in our culture for men and women who will fear God rather than people. We need to be able to boldly stand up and speak the truth in love when people seek to silence us. This is what the whole politically correct movement is about. There is to be the appearance that there are no differences between the sexes. We are not to make moral judgments. Everything is to be euphemized (not euthanized), that is everything must have a good sounding name, even sin. No one is a thief any longer they have kleptomania. There are no immoral people just people with sexual addictions or worse, alternative lifestyles. We need to have the courage to do what is right and say what is right without being frightened by any fear. We need to have the faith to believe the Word of God and act on it. We need to not allow the fear of what people think about us to keep us from doing what is right. We should defy people’s attempts to make us feel ashamed for the truth. We ought to be so convinced of the truth of the Word of God that man’s attempts to silence us would meet with fearless rebuke of our own. In Acts 5, the leaders of the Jewish people arrested the apostles for preaching the Gospel. They had previously warned them to stop speaking yet the apostles continued to boldly proclaim the truth. In Acts 5:28 the leaders said, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” In other words the leaders told the apostles you need to stop speaking about Jesus because you’re making us feel guilty. So Peter stands up to this group, who had the power to take his life right there (Remember, this is the Peter who denied he knew Jesus before the power of the Holy Spirit came upon him), and he says to them, “We must obey God rather than men.” Friends, if you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have the power of the Holy Spirit living in you so you might take your stand in boldness and joy to do what the Scripture tells you to do. Peter and his fellow apostles were flogged because of their stand for Christ but what does the passage tell us? They left quietly and never spoke about Jesus again. No! “They went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for his name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” We need the boldness from the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. We need to ask Him for such opportunity and boldness to share His Word. We need to fear God rather than men. I think it really might be easier if people were beating us to be bold. It seems like ridicule and mocking are more difficult to bear. It seems harder when family and friends misunderstand us. It appears almost impossible to bear when those we care about call us narrow-minded or self-righteous because they don’t understand the Gospel. But trust in God’s Word should cause us to choose to do the difficult because we know it is right.
Moses’ parents showed courage in their action, even though it could very well have caused them great pain. But they knew that it is always right to obey God rather than men.
II. Moses’ Clear Choice
The second aspect that shows genuine faith in these verses is Moses’ clear choice. In verses 24-25, we read, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” There are two ways we note Moses’ clear choice.
A. He aligned himself with God’s people
The first way we note Moses’ clear choice is that he aligned himself with God’s people. From the passage we see he made a clear decision to cut off his connection with the people who had decided to mistreat the people of God. The passage says, “when he had grown up,” but literally is “when he became great.” It could refer to his physical stature but more likely the fact that he had become great in Pharaoh’s court. Stephen tells us this in his account of Moses in Acts 7. He said, “Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds.” He was definitely a great man in the court of the Pharaoh. And his choice to forsake his adoptive family was no small decision. It is a hard decision to make when we become great in sinning to stop. His decision meant renouncing everything that the court of Egypt had to offer. It meant leaving behind the opportunity of advancement within the royal court, even the possibility of receiving the throne. It meant giving up all the pleasures of luxury and sensuality that a royal court could offer.
It also meant receiving the abuse of a slave. It meant receiving persecution by his adoptive household. It meant receiving all the ill-treatment of the people of God. Now Moses’ decision wasn’t based on his feelings toward an oppressed people. He wasn’t into liberation theology. He had been taught the Word of God as a child by his mother as she raised Moses for Pharaoh’s daughter. He was taught that he was a Hebrew. He was told that God promised deliverance for the people of God and judgment for that nation who oppressed them.
And as Moses grew and became great he remembered that word his mother had taught him. He began to understand that if he stayed and played with the Egyptians he would receive the judgment of God. This was not simply a matter of taking the side of the underdog this was a matter of the choice between being on God’s side or Satan’s. This was a matter of oppressing the people of God or being aligned with them.
The decision is the same you need to make today. Either you are going to align yourself with the people of God or Satan’s people. Perhaps you are afraid to make this break because you don’t want the shame associated with a particular group of Christians. You don’t want to bear the reproach of Christ in this way. But the author makes it clear that biblical faith is going to realize a stand needs to be made and refuses to compromise to minimize the negative connotations and consequences associated with it. But as we will see in Hebrews 13, the author calls us to go to the place of shame where Jesus was crucified, to identify with Christ and bear the reproach of Christ. Genuine biblical faith will cause you to align yourself with the people of God and share their reproach.
B. He aligned himself with God’s character
The second way we notice Moses’ clear choice is that he aligned himself with God’s character. The last part of verse 25 says, that Moses chose “rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” He knew that God’s character was that of unflawed holiness. His pure eyes cannot tolerate sin. And for Moses to remain in the Egyptian court would be to decide against God. But Moses aligned himself with God’s character in that he recognized the pleasures of sin and disobedience were only temporary. He understood that though leaving Egypt might result in pain and grief for him now they would produce a lasting joy and peace later. Siding with the world may produce a temporary pleasure but will produce a permanent torment. Siding with God in His righteousness may produce temporary sorrow but will produce everlasting joy. David, said in Psalm 30, “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.”
True biblical faith causes a person to align themselves with the character of God because they see the utter bankruptcy of a life of moral degeneracy. And it must be understood it is true biblical faith that not only causes a person to align themselves with God’s character but to have the ability to do so. A person cannot change by their own will power. They must look to the God who is able to work in the lives of those who trust His Word. It is not found in 12 steps it is found in 1 step, and that step is complete faith in the God of the Bible. It is trust in the fact that those who believe in His Son have been crucified with Him and now we live by faith in the Son of God who loves us and gave Himself for us. Not only do we get saved by faith by our lives are transformed by faith. We have become partakers of Christ’s resurrection power and it is this that causes us to live in accordance with God’s power. Have you aligned yourself with the people of God and the character of God?
III. Moses’ Deep Consideration
The third aspect that shows genuine faith in these verses is Moses’ deep consideration. In verse 26, the author says that Moses was “considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.” Moses made a choice but we now look at the reason behind his choice. He made this decision to forsake the allurements of Egypt but he did so because he held such a decision in deep consideration based on the Word of God he knew. Moses’ deep consideration is seen in two attitudes he possessed.
A. He embraced the riches of reproach
The first attitude Moses possessed was he embraced the riches of reproach. The first part of verse 26 said that he considered “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Here the word “consider” shows how Moses reflected upon his situation. He made a comparison between what the reproach in following the Messiah would cost him and its resultant return compared to the riches in Egypt. And he found the riches of Egypt nothing in comparison with the privilege of suffering for the Messiah. Trust in God’s Word helped him to look beyond the temporary and choose the permanent.
The apostle Paul, who suffered greatly for the cause of Christ, likewise saw the riches of this suffering for he said, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” The heart of faith in God’s Word confirms to us that anything we might suffer for the sake of Christ now is nothing with what we shall certainly experience in heaven.
Moses embraced the riches of reproach because he knew the lie of Satan that tells us that only what we can get here on earth is that which will satisfy us. It says that the worldly thrills and temporary happiness is what we need. But the Scripture says that the truly blessed individual is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates upon it day and night.
Have you counted the cost of following the Messiah? Real Christianity isn’t the promise of a present pleasant path. Christianity isn’t a self-improvement program. You must understand this if you are to have genuine biblical faith. Jesus said following Him means the giving up of your desires to be the servant of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Paul said, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” You cannot have Christ if you are not willing to lose yourself. A self-centered Christianity is a contradiction. If we change this message and say anything else we will have to apologize to these faith-filled individuals who have gone before us. What can you say to those like Moses whose faith caused him to forsake the riches of Egypt when you will not turn away from that one particular pleasure that wastes your time with which you might be serving the Lord? Or how can you say that you have genuine biblical faith like Moses when you will not choose the reproach of Christ over the esteem of your friends and the advancement of your own agenda?
B. He focused on the riches of reward
We find, first, that Moses embraced the riches of reproach. The second attitude Moses possessed that showed his deep consideration in his faith is he focused on the riches of reward. The last part of verse 26 says that Moses “was looking to the reward.” This may not seem like much but it is a very exciting word that the author uses to describe Moses attitude toward what he was going to receive. The word, “looking to,” means “to look away from everything else to focus on one object.” Moses chose to block his ears and eyes to the allurements of the world in order to pursue his reward in heaven. He recognized by faith that what life is ultimately about is pleasing God and finding pleasure in Him. It is not about pursuing temporary pleasures.
If you have read Pilgrim’s progress Pilgrim you may remember that as Pilgrim leaves the city of destruction to head for the celestial city he blocks his hears to the pleading of his friends and family to stay with them in the city of destruction. But pilgrim will have none of it. He continues ahead with one purpose looking only toward the gate that is ahead of him and blocking out any other distraction for him to reach that goal.
What we can understand from this word the author in Hebrews uses is that sometimes you need to stop your ears and eyes to the distractions of friends and temptations that would seek to destroy you and keep you from the path that leads to life. When these things come we need to plug our ears and set our eyesight firmly upon the goal that lies ahead. The Greek hero, Odysseus in seeking to navigate the dangerous waters that led many sailors to their death, blocked the ears of his crew and tied himself to a mast. Why? Sea nymphs called sirens stood high upon a cliff and lured sailors into the rocks by their beautiful songs. But Odysseus, by blocking out their captivating song found safe haven. This was a picture of what the author said Moses did in pursuing the reward of faith. He didn’t let that which could be damaging or deadly distract him from his goal.
What is that you need to block your ears to? Is it friends calling you to participate with you in debauchery? Is it luxuries that you really can’t afford without selling your soul? Cain had a crossroad to follow God or himself? He chose not to block his ears to his pride that led to his destruction. What will you do with Jesus? Will you repent of your sin and receive Him as your Savior? What about you Christian are there things in your life that you definitely need to leave behind, blocking your ears and focusing your eyes away from them? Then do this today.