WHEN the time came for the mother of the little babe to return him to the king’s daughter, this powerful princess received him as her own son. She gave him the name of Moses because she had drawn him out of the water; and in the king’s palace he was reared as a young prince. He was adopted as grandson to the king, and perhaps heir to his throne. The Egyptians were at that time the most civilized nation of the earth; so that Moses was not only reared in the lap of luxury and splendor, but he was brought up in the midst of all wisdom and greatness and learning of this great nation. He proved a very apt scholar, and gained great power and honor. His new mother would doubtless regard with pride and pleasure the wonderful development in her adopted son, who had been given to her in such a strange way.
God draws aside the curtain, as it were, to give us a glimpse of Moses when he had come to years of manhood. Hear what He has to say; “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” Acts 7:2222And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. (Acts 7:22).
My dear young readers may think it was happy for Moses to have such a training in the midst of such surroundings. He certainly had great advantages; there was perhaps no other spot in the wide world, at that time, where he could have learned as much. And we can see God’s wisdom in placing him where his unusual natural ability and energy could be cultivated and developed, for He was going to make of Moses a great leader; and He was thus fitting him for the work that was before him.
But, in the king’s court, the pleasures of sin abounded. Its voluptuousness, its gaieties, its festivities, all would please the natural heart, and entice the one who would yield himself up to them. But Moses had doubtless learned from his own dear mother about God, and about His promise to his fore-fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And God had wrought in his soul, giving him faith to count upon Him. And so when he was “come to years” he refused to be longer called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He felt that it was better to be in suffering and affliction with God’s people, than to be in a king’s court, enjoying its sinful pleasures. All the treasures in Egypt, great and wonderful as they were, had not as much value in his eyes as “the reproach of Christ.” Through faith he could give up wealth, and honor, taking in their stead suffering, poverty and reproach, in order to act for God.
Certainly, dear young readers, this is a bright and beautiful example for us. Had Moses been walking by sight, he would have remained where fame and luxury and pleasures were his. But he looked on, by faith, and renounced that which was contrary to God, although it was at great personal cost. Let me ask you, Is your walk the walk of faith, or are you walking by sight? Do you turn away from worldly pleasures in order to be true to Christ? Which has greater power with you—the things that are seen, or the things that are not seen? I beg of you to take this question into God’s presence and answer it there.
Do you ask, What are the things that are seen; and what are the things that are not seen?
Do not forget that death and judgment are connected with the things which are seen; but the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” is connected with the things which are not seen. 2 Cor. 4:1717For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:17).
ML 06/22/1902