As we delve into the narrative of Moses, we see a profound act of faith—a deliberate and conscientious choice. Moses, having grown up in the lavish surroundings of Pharaoh's palace, faced a defining moment where he refused the identity associated with earthly royalty. This choice was not arbitrary; it was guided by faith. It was a declaration that our true identity is found in God, not in the titles or positions the world might offer.
Temporal Pleasures vs. Eternal Riches: The passage paints a vivid contrast between the transient pleasures of sin and the enduring, immeasurable riches found in Christ. Moses consciously chose the path of sharing in the sufferings of God's people over the fleeting indulgences that sin offers. This is a poignant reminder for us—we, too, are presented daily with choices between temporary gratification and the eternal treasures found in our relationship with Christ.
Endurance and the Ultimate Reward: Moses endured, not for the sake of mere endurance, but with a purpose in mind. The reproach he endured for identifying with Christ was considered by him as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. This challenges our understanding of endurance—it's not merely a survival strategy but a deliberate journey toward a reward that surpasses worldly treasures.
- Significance:
Choices Guided by Faith: Moses' decision to renounce the privileges of Pharaoh's household prompts us to reflect on the choices we make in our daily lives. Are our decisions rooted in faith? Do we prioritize the eternal over the temporal?
Sacrificial Living: Moses chose to share in the ill treatment of God's people. This echoes the call for sacrificial living. We, too, are encouraged to stand with and for others, even if it means enduring hardships. This is not a call to seek suffering, but a recognition that a life aligned with Christ may involve sacrifices for the greater good.
Esteeming the Reproach of Christ: The notion of accounting the reproach of Christ as greater riches challenges our perspectives on challenges and difficulties. Instead of viewing them as obstacles to be avoided, can we see them as opportunities to identify with Christ and thereby partake in a richness that transcends the material?
Cross References:
Matthew 6:19-21: "Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18: "For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, while we don’t look 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."
Philippians 3:8: "Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ."
In conclusion, Hebrews 11:24-26 serves as a profound guide for our faith journey. It urges us to make choices guided by faith, live sacrificially, and view challenges as opportunities to identify with Christ. Let's align our choices with the eternal, esteeming the reproach of Christ as greater riches than any temporal treasures. In doing so, we embark on a journey that transcends the fleeting pleasures of this world, reaching toward the immeasurable riches found in our relationship with Christ.
Hebrews 11:24-26. By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.