11.01

Moses Refusing Egypt and Choosing God's People, by Faith "By faith Moses, when he became
of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. (Hebrews
11:24-25)"

The natural tendency of humanity is to desire privilege and pleasure. These two were
certainly available to Moses in Egypt. Yet, he refused Egypt and chose God's people,
demonstrating the far reaching impact of trusting in the Lord.

When the daughter of Pharaoh discovered baby Moses, she decided to raise him as her child.
"Moses was born and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. But when he
was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son" (Acts
7:20-21). As an offspring of the palace, Moses had access to the very best of human
education, and he became proficient in all that was provided for him. "And Moses was
learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds" (Acts
7:22). In terms of conventional earthly perspectives, Moses was guaranteed a life of
privilege and pleasure.

However, when he reached the age of relative maturity, his heart was drawn in a
distinctively different direction. "But when he was forty years old, it came into his
heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel" (Acts 7:23). The wording implies that
he had been taught of his link with the Israelites as he was growing up in Pharoah's
household. Eventually, his heart was stirred by this connection, and he made a life
-shaping decision, by faith. "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called
the son of Pharaoh's daughter." He decided to renounce his place of privilege in Pharoah's
family and to identify himself with God's people. He was aware that this choice was a
renunciation of a pleasure-filled life and would inevitably lead to suffering: "choosing
rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of
sin."

To commit to the palace would have been pleasurable, but sinful. Furthermore, those sinful
pleasures would have been temporary. On the other hand, the blessings of following the
leading of the Lord would last forever. Moses' heavenly perspective was much like the
Psalmist. "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [that is, in anyplace else].
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of
wickedness" (Psalm 84:10).

"Heavenly Father, help me to discern whenever the offer of human privilege is competing
with Your will for my life. Please give me a heart to identify with Your people, even
though inconvenience or suffering might result. Strengthen my faith to choose eternal
blessings over the passing pleasures of sin, Amen."