“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, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26).
Because of Satan’s relentless opposition to God, living by faith in Him always comes with a price tag. In terms of worldly treasures, few people in human history have paid a higher price for their faith than Moses.
By personally refusing to be considered a member of the royal family and choosing instead to be a part of God’s people, Moses’ decision cost him power, worldly fame, pleasure, and riches. He renounced his legal claim to the throne of Egypt and embraced suffering, affliction, and reproach. His refusal was monumental, but supremely wise. As one commentator has so aptly put it: Moses weighed the issues of time in the balances of eternity and found them wanting.
In the context of the first century, the relevance and importance of Moses’ example cannot be overstated. The complete destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and Judaism was growing closer and looming larger with each passing day. Every Christian with a Jewish heritage was going to have to make a monumental decision: Either draw back to Judaism and refuse to follow Christ or refuse Judaism and follow Christ to the saving of your soul. To choose Christ, each will have to imitate Moses: weigh the issues of time in the balances of eternity.
Choosing faith in Christ and the reproach it generates are not for the faint of heart, but they are essential to faithfulness.
Are you weighing the issues of time in the balances of eternity?
