Moses not only refused his favored position as a prince of Egypt, but chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God.” Hebrews 11:2525Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Hebrews 11:25). He might have determined that so a great sacrifice on his part was not justified and have considered his place in the court of Egypt the best means of relieving his suffering brethren, through his influence there. Reason might have said: “Remaining here I can be of real help to my people. I will use my position to induce the king to lessen their toil and make their bondage more bearable.”
This would not do for faith. The influence of the god of this world (Pharaoh) can never be employed to deliver the Lord’s people; and faith can never be sheltered or identified with it. This would have been leaning on the power of Pharaoh, instead of recognizing the bond between God and His people. It might have resulted in a relief which the world would have granted, but not in deliverance by God, in love and power. It would have recognized the power of Pharaoh over His people, left them in Egypt and not have acknowledged the precious relationship between God and His people.
Moses chose rather to leave privilege and honor behind and suffer affliction with his people. He could not be content to be merely for them. There was no worldly glory in view before him in this decision. Had he remained where he was he would have lost his true glory. In this he put aside all human glory and took a rejected place where God would have him. Surely it is well for the believer to look closely at his chosen associations. How easy to seek some achievement, acclaim or success, afraid of disclosing one’s calling as a child of God lest these worldly advantages are lost. Or, perhaps one might make a token expression of Christian faith and yet refrain from any real identification with the Lord’s people. But let such be assured that where there is the response in a Christian’s heart to associate with the Lord’s people, he will experience the joy not only in being with them, but will find himself more closely in fellowship with Him who is owned as Head of the Church His body.
Favorable circumstances are too often interpreted as God’s ordering. He sometimes grants a measure of prosperity to His people, but it should be remembered that circumstances alone are not to be trusted as a guide; they may be used of the enemy in drawing a Christian away from his true calling. Providence is by no means a true guide for faith. Faith deals with things which are not seen “for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:1818While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18). All human reasoning, and reasoning connected with providential ways, would have induced Moses to remain in his position. No doubt providence placed him in the court of Pharaoh; but faith made him give it up. He chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God. Identification with them had more attractions for his faithful heart than the pleasures of sin. And he rose higher still: He esteemed the reproach of Christ—reproach arising from identification with Israel— “greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Hebrews 11:2626Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Hebrews 11:26).
ML 05/26/1968