Hebrews 11:23-27 Faith involves taking a stand

Hebrews 11:23-27

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’ s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Background

Faith is stirred up sometimes by seemingly small and insignificant gestures or kind words spoken at a critical moment. God used Moses’ beautiful form to stir up faith in the parents strengthening them to violate the Pharaoh’s edict. Today’s passage teaches us the importance of taking a stand. Although we may lose some alliances, our action exposes clear battle lines that are necessary for the enforcement of values and precedences.

Observation

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents…

The Pharaoh of Egypt for fear of the Israelites becoming too numerous and powerful commanded all male babies to be killed at their time of birth. Moses’ parents at his birth saw his exceptional beauty as there was a divine glow and favor about him. God stirred up their faith at the sight of baby Moses strengthening them to violate the edict of the Pharaoh. Thus, they decided to hide the baby and risking their own lives in the process.

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’ s daughter…

When Moses came of age, he went against the expectation of being called a member of the royal family. Being raised within the Egyptian court did not change his identity as a Hebrew. He chose to be numbered with his Hebrew brothers rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. The Egyptians exploited Israelite labor as much as they could in all facets of Egyptian life: from domestic services to agriculture, to construction works. Thus, Moses refused to be part of the sin of exploitation; he refused to benefit from the labors of the Israelites. Thus, Moses was prepared to lose his status and privilege as an Egyptian prince and be identified with the Hebrews. For he harbored a different values system: the reproach of Christ is more worthy than physical wealth and power of the Egyptian court. What is the reproach of Christ? Christ spoke up against all unrighteousness and hypocrisy of His time. And because of His unwavering stand on the truth, He was persecuted and put to death by the Jews. As a result, Christ was duly rewarded with honor and glory. The same reward is likewise reserved for those who stand firm on God’s truth despite persecutions. Moses displayed faith by speaking against the sin of slavery and exploitation. The Bible was not explicit about the kind of reward Moses was expecting. But his heart was looking towards an ideal city where there is no more exploitation or injustice – that is his reward!

Truth

Faith is greater than fear. Fear paralyses whereas faith liberates. Fear is the human response to the rise of prominent threat. However, faith no matter how small is always greater than fear. When Moses’ parents saw the baby, his beautiful form, small as it was strengthened them to violate the Pharaoh’s edict. God used the baby to stir up faith in Moses’ parents risking their very lives to protect him. In times of dire difficulties, God can use small and weak things to inspire hope and faith. Our seemingly small gestures and kind words spoken at a critical time can make a pivotal difference in someone’s life.

The truth requires us to take sides at the expense of safety. Some people for fear of causing dissent choose to remain neutral or impartial. Impartiality can be a virtue, but it can be a huge hindrance at times. Many are fearful that by taking a stand they may lose friends or family members who are invaluable to them. Such may have many alliances, but they cannot be relied upon to speak the truth or to do the right thing. By faith Moses, … refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’ s daughter. He chose to be numbered with the people of God and be mistreated together with them. Even as a legitimate son of the Pharaoh’s daughter, he made a stand and refused to be associated with the Egyptian court. Therefore, God considered Moses as invaluable because of his incorruptibility; he cannot be bought over by the treasures of the Egyptian court.

Application

1. Are you accustomed to standing on the sidelines during times of conflict? When justice and precedence are at stake, we must disembark from the place of safety and take a stand. Taking a stand translates to doing the right thing even though it may upset people. It means defending those who could not defend themselves. It means speaking the truth to stop the flow of gossips. It means standing up to people in authority who exploit their position for selfish gains.
2. Seek to be an inspiration to imbue faith rather than fear. We should rather err on the side of optimism and create an atmosphere of faith in God’s promises.

Dear Lord, make me an agent of truth and justice in times of conflict. Use me to speak the truth even though it may be upsetting to people. Make me a catalyst of faith in times of distress. Use me to bring focus towards the promises of God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.