Five Actions of Moses

Hebrews 11:25-27

Moses was born during a nation-wide command by Pharaoh to slaughter all Jewish boys two years of age and younger. As a desperate attempt to preserve his life, his mother placed him in a small boat-like cradle and set him to float in the shallow waters of the Nile so that Pharaoh’s daughter would see him when she came down to bathe. The hopes were that she would be so overwhelmed with sympathy for the baby that she would take him and raise him as her own.

Moses’ mother’s hopes came true. In fact, in a twist of irony, the king’s daughter asked Moses’ sister (conveniently standing nearby) if she would be the nurse to take care of the baby. Throughout his childhood, Moses was raised by his own mother, and was protected by the authority of Pharaoh through his own daughter. This meant that Moses would be taught all the precepts and customs of the Hebrews even while he was officially recognized as an Egyptian.

When Moses was of age, his Egyptian mother brought him into the palace and he became her son. We can only assume that he was afforded the privilege of an Egyptian education, lifestyle and access to the treasures amassed by the Pharaoh. His life as an adult Egyptian, however, was cut short by two incidents:

11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

Evidently, Moses’ teaching by his real mother had taken hold. He identified more with his Hebrew brethren than the Egyptian citizens. His values were also shaped more by his Hebrew heritage than by the influence of the Pharaoh or the wealth of Egypt. We must carefully analyze his actions because they show the kind of character he had and provided an example for anyone who lives in a pagan society.

The passage in Hebrews do not come to us in the words of Moses or of a record-keeper in Jewish history. This is an analysis, written centuries later, of Moses behavior. Let us take note that it is important for us to do more than read the Bible. We must also make a proper analysis of what happened and how it is to be understood. Then, we must apply the lessons to our lives.

1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

Jude 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Five Actions of Moses

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

Moses refused. When do we refuse to do something?

When we sense that it represents a threat to us.

When we understand that we have a better alternative.

Learn how to say no.

· Saying yes, doing yes
This is authentic. If you say yes, do yes. People will know that you keep your word.

· Saying yes, doing no
This is deception. You try to keep the relationship good at first, but don’t keep your word and end up damaging it in the end.

· Saying nothing, doing yes
This is vague, but mostly if you do not answer people assume that you will say yes.

· Saying nothing, doing no
This is vague and deceptive. People assume that you say yes, but you do the opposite. Plenty of room for an argument.

· Saying no, doing yes
This is confusing to say the least. People will not know what your word is worth, saying no clearly does not mean no.

· Saying no, doing no
This is authentic. If you say no, do no. You might disappoint someone, but you are clear and people will know that you keep your word.

Joseph knew how to say no. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Old Testament saints refused deliverance. Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Refuse to let the devil gain the upper hand in your life.

Refuse your own carnal impulses to rule your life.

Refuse to listen to ungodly speech or to watch ungodly scenes.

Refuse to accept the garbage of the world. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Moses chose. 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Moses saw two main choices before him: suffer the affliction with the people of God or enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

These are hard choices. Who wants to choose affliction? Who wants to deny pleasure?

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The power of choice places the option back in our hands.

But the power of choice also brings with it the responsibility of choice.

There was a woman screaming on Park Avenue yesterday morning, flecks of furious saliva spraying from her twisted mouth as she raged into her cell phone, “It’s not my fault.” Over and over, like the high-pitched squeal of a power saw cutting brick: It’s not my fault and a run of foul names, then It’s not my fault and another run of names. It’s not my fault, you (blank). It’s not my fault, you (blank)ing (blank). It’s…not…my…fault.

…I heard the phrase again yesterday, in the bank’s vestibule after work, among the automatic teller machines. … There in the bank, while I checked my balance, a man was talking on his cell phone, one foot up on the window sill, as the Christmas shoppers hurried past outside, their arms full of packages. “It’s not my fault,” he said. “I’m just the kind of person who has to keep after things.” What is it about self-justification that always makes it seem so false? About that phrase “I’m the kind of person…” that always makes it sound like a lie?

…It’s not my fault — the cry we’ve made every day since Cain was born. Down somewhere in the heart, there’s always an awareness of just how wrong the world is, how fallen and broken and incomplete. This is the guilty knowledge, the failure of innocence, against which we snarl and fight: It’s just the way things are; it’s not my fault. What would genuine innocence look like, if it ever came into the world? I know the answer I am called to believe: like a child born in a cattle shed. But to understand why that is an answer, to see it clearly, we are also compelled to know our guilt for the world, to feel it all the way to the bottom.

Smoking is a choice. So is drinking, using drugs, immoral behavior, keeping wrong company, getting an education, getting a job, spending money, eating certain types of food, etc. Anyone who makes a choice out of all the options must also accept responsibility for the problems that the choice brings.

Following Christ is a choice. It can be a hard choice from certain perspectives. It means affliction and deprivation of pleasure. But the end result makes the difficulties worth it.

Moses esteemed. 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

The word esteem comes from the same word as estimate. To estimate means to determine the value or worth of something. For example, we estimate the public debt to be at ten trillion dollars! We estimate that it will take us two or more years to get out of Iraq.

Moses estimated that the reproach of Christ—not the glory or wealth—was worth more than the treasures of Egypt.

According to the Museum of Ancient Art in Switzerland there was given a replacement value at nearly a staggering three-quarters of a billion dollars: Insurers have valued the display of opulence from ancient Egypt’s ruler called Tutankhamun at about $680 million.

Stringent security precautions have been taken to protect the dazzling array of the mostly golden or gilded objects, which are insured for $650 million. They were shipped to Basel on two special Egypt Air flights to guard against the loss of the whole collection in

an air crash. $3.86 million for loaning the exhibits. His coffin was the most magnificent. It was made from solid gold, and weighed 2,500 pounds. Today (2009) it is worth $36.4 million.

If I were to offer you $10 billion to deny Christ, would you accept it? No, you say. Yet, that’s what Moses did.

If not $10 billion, how about $1 billion?

$100 million?

$10 million?

$1 million?

$100,000?

$10,000?

$1,000?

$100?

You ask why am I doing this? Because some bargain away Christ for much less than $100. They do it for a drink. A cigarette. A curse word. An admiring look by the world.

Moses had respect unto the recompense of reward. In other words, he knew that the reproach of Christ was a far greater bargain than the treasures of Egypt.

Moses forsook. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:

Forsaking means cutting all ties. Renouncing any ownership, partnership or remuneration. Not even the fear of Pharaoh was enough to make him change his mind.

You cannot follow Christ without forsaking the world. The modern idea is to bring the world along with you. How much of Egypt did Moses take with him to Midian or to the wilderness? Not their gods. Not their customs. Not their values.

Moses endured. “…for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”

After he refused, chose, esteemed and forsook, he had to endure. Enduring is hardest when you are not sure you made the right decision. When you know you did the right thing, you embrace the affliction with hope. It only hurts for a little while.

Sister Lucas told she had days to live. She said she was not afraid. She had lived all of her life for this moment.

Comments

[Sydney Heimericks]

I am not a 'Moses'; but, at 75 and almost 3 yrs. back, after 34 being backslid; I have 'done' all the world I care for. I've been to Hawaaii once; Mazatlán, Mexico once,; Atlantic ocean/board walk in Atlantic city once; Florida twice and all points in between. It thrilled me - then. Now, the New Jerusalem thrills me - thinking about going there, and - I AM GOING THERE; just like Moses.