Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward
- Hebrews 11:26
In today's world of revelation-type churches, we see a missing depth of respect.
That is the respect for the magnitude of the reward to which we are called. This deficiently is undoubtedly not across all churches, but it is across enough to make us fear the degenerative slide many are on, and whether we are a part of them.
Our key scripture talks of Moses' commitment and equally powerful desire to leave the worldly and immediately-rewarding regime of Egypt for the disdain and straitness of the Christlike life.
The two preceding verses tell us much about the firmness of Moses' resolve and how committed to Christ that resolve became. It is a perfect image for all who seek to be found in Christ on the day of their death.
V24 "By faith Moses, when he was come of years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; "
Being Pharaoh's daughter is a type of unknowing Satan-follower for our understanding. Once Moses came to a particular time in his life after much soul-searching, he realised he belonged elsewhere in some other family.
In that decision, which was more difficult than most of the choices we will ever make in this life (he was a Son) he only had two families from which to choose.
One family could give him everything his natural mind and body wanted. His present and future would be set for life. He could eat and drink whatever he wanted, buy whatever took his fancy, and choose as many girls as he desired. Providing he did this, Satan was satisfied.
The other family seemed to have nothing. They were slaves whose real life was a future dream and destination. When Moses chose to leave his natural future and all it offered to follow Christ, he had counted to cost of turning his back on that life.
V25 lays out the depth of his decision — what he left behind and had to endure going forth. "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;" That 'season' is his natural life, for that is the length of time he can enjoy those things. When he chose to join himself to the people of God, he decided affliction over pleasure. He had counted the cost.
Not once do we read anywhere, where Moses regretted that decision or looked back even for a glimpse or short dream or memory.
Others in the tribe of Israel did, but Moses did not. Other followers wanted parts of the old life but also obtain the promised land. This is what many of the Revelation churches were doing (chapters 2-3) — seeking to live the worldly life while thinking they would still obtain the promises of Christ. Today, we have many followers in churches who live in both families, seeking the natural life of Egypt and the spiritual promises of Christ. This will not happen. They can only be children of one family and will, therefore, reap the inheritance of that family.
We are called to follow the Moses pattern of resolve, not that of the other Israelites who kept desiring the natural elements as well as the spiritual promises — a foot in each camp. They sought to be children of two sets of parents, which is completely unnatural.
If your life is like this, commence a change. Maybe you are not esteeming the reward highly enough, or perhaps you still haven't yet worked through the depth of the reproach and the pitifulness of Egypt's ways? Make a decision for Christ and Him only, for there is only one inheritance we can obtain. Christ is holding His hand out to you now.
Today's prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for Moses' resolve. Thank you for his strength of character, and the fact that he didn't look back once to the old life with regret. Help me to maintain my resolve for you and your life. Please help me to shun the Egyptian life which pleases the natural person within me but kills off the spiritual person within me.
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