FAITHFUL LESSONS FROM A FORMER PRINCE

 And without faith it is impossible to please Him.  Hebrews 11:6a

Our most important decisions are those which are made on the basis of our faith in the Lord.  In Hebrews 11 we see some crucial decisions made by Egypt’s former Prince Moses that we should imitate today.  Moses was rescued from the Nile River (vs. 23; Exodus 2:1-10) and brought up as an Egyptian prince (Acts 7:22).  At age 40 “by faith Moses… refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” (vs. 24) and attempted to join up with his brethren, but ended up fleeing to Midian for the next 40 years (Exodus 2:13-15; Acts 7:25). At the end of those 40 years his lot was cast with the Israelites and with God!

By faith he chose “to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” (vs. 25).  Are we “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4)? Verse 26 further describes Moses’ faith as he esteems the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than Egypt’s treasures.  Why?  “He was looking to the reward” of God’s future promises (vs. 26).  With the arrival of the tenth plague and the death of the Egyptians’ first born, Pharaoh tells Moses to leave (Exodus 12:31-36).  By faith Moses totally forsook Egypt, never to return.  His eyes were fixed on the one and only yet invisible God.  Moses would have to endure much the next 40 years in leading the frequent complaining and rebellious Israelites, but by faith he chose to follow Jehovah.  There was NO turning back!

Despite Moses’ faults, the Lord in Hebrews 11 focuses on his deliberate, purposeful and unchanging decision to choose God, His will and His people over all that Egypt had to offer to him.  What are you choosing to do because of your faith in Jesus Christ?  Let’s all follow the faith of Egypt’s former prince!

Bob Kulp