As I continue to "blog" through the Book of Hebrews, the passage for today's "short thoughts" is in Hebrews 11:24-25 where the author writes, "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasure of sin". I find myself in one of those passages of scripture where I must endeavor to keep my thoughts short. Doing so may prove difficult, so bear with me if this is a little long.
When we were young, our parents and other adults often encouraged us to grow up, to be "big boys" and "big girls". We would argue over who got to be "the dad" or "the mom" in our childhood games. Time and experiences passed and we did grow up. And now that we are grown, there are times when we wish for the simple things of childhood again. Many decisions and responsibilities come with growing up. Some decisions are routine and we make them daily. We don't even take the time to see the impact they may have on our life. Other decisions are made after much thought and hopefully, much prayer. Some of these decisions can greatly impact our lives and the lives of others.
Oh, the importance of growing up! Growing up in Christ that is. As believers we are directed and encouraged to grow up and to become mature in our faith. I think it is worth noting that Moses' act of faith referenced in today's scripture occurred after "he had grown up". For some time he had already been a "grown-up" or a physically mature man. But more importantly, he had grown in his faith, thus preparing him to make a very important decision. He would side with the ''people of God". Pointedly, he would side with God Himself. Through his growing up he had obtained the measure of faith that would allow him to "refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter". I must refrain from going into a long discourse and simply say that giving up the things that came with being Pharaoh's daughter and the wealth and allure of Egypt was, using my favorite biblical adjective, no small decision.
The decision Moses made to refuse one thing was in light of something greater. Rather than being called the son of pharaoh's daughter, and all that this represented, he chose to "endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasure of sin". Clearly it was not ill treatment that he wished for but he was prepared to endure it for the right reason. He would endure it with God's people. He would be on the right side, God's side. This was the greater choice. Is this not always the greater choice?
We might assume that his faith saw beyond the ill treatment that would be endured to the blessings that would follow in time. As he looked forward to all the God would do, he would endure. Because he had grown up, Moses also saw beyond the glory that came with power and position in Egypt. Despite the unarguable "benefits", being the son of pharaoh's daughter and having Egypt at one's fingertips was not all that life was about.
We must not read this passage and fail to acknowledge two important truths that are seen here. The first is that sin can be pleasurable, pleasurable to the flesh. There is no advantage in pretending that this is not so. It is the flesh's appetite. Sin will feed this appetite but the flesh will always want more. The second truth that we see is that the pleasure of sin passes. It does not last. It is without value to endure. And I would be remiss if I did not speak of yet a third truth that I am compelled to make note of. If you have never taken the time to consider this, I pray that you might write it down. I have never suggested that you write anything down that I have written. Perhaps write it down on paper with pencil or pen but most assuredly write it down in your heart and mind. Though the pleasure of sin is passing, its consequences are not. Though the pleasure of sin may last but a while, the consequences of sin may last a lifetime, extending even through generations.
May we grow up in Christ and progress towards maturity. In our decision making, may we seek His will and wisdom, and always choose to side with Him. Ill treatment may come our way, but by faith we can endure as we fix our eyes on Jesus and wait "eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." "For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay."
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