Some people are just larger than life. We have all met them. Whether or not they are celebrities in the world’s eyes, some individuals walk into the room and take over the attention and the conversation. That is Moses in the Old Testament, even though he never intended it. In Numbers 12:3, we read, “The man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” Back in Exodus 3:11, Moses objected to going back to Egypt as God’s prophet, asking, “Who am I?” It seems he did not want to be center stage in God’s redemptive story, yet that was exactly God’s plan. As we come to Part 5 of this series in Hebrews 11, we are moving from Abraham and his immediate descendants to Moses. In other words, we are moving from one giant to another.1 Yet despite the changes the people of God saw in the hundreds of years between these two larger-than-life figures, God remained the same and testified to all of them about Christ.
The Example of Believing Parents
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. (Hebrews 11:23)
Moses was beautiful. What does this mean? For one thing, this statement was probably the somewhat normal parental reaction. God gave them this child, they loved him, and certainly they did not want to kill him. But there is something more than the normal parental reaction undergirding this statement. In Acts 7:20, Stephen says these words in his famous pre-martyrdom sermon: “At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house.” It seems his parents were believing in God’s promise of deliverance, and somehow they knew that this little boy would play a key role in his plan. We do not know how they knew, but we do know they were not afraid of Pharaoh’s command to kill the baby Hebrew boys. Their response reminds us of the apostles’ response in Acts 5:29 when they were commanded to stop preaching Christ: “We must obey God rather than men.” Faith leads to obedience, even in hard times. That is a pattern we find in Scripture and in our Christian lives. Of course, like us, Moses’ parents did not know where their faith and obedience would lead in the short-term. Yet God still used it.
Egypt’s Riches and Christ’s Reproach and Reward
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:24–27)
Moses grew up, and perhaps he somehow knew about the example of his parents. Just as they feared the Lord rather than the wicked king, Moses sought to please God rather than the world. Remember, Moses was adopted into the royal house of Pharaoh. He had status, to put it mildly. But he knew that the power and accolades of world will come to nothing when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10–11). Moses had certain advantages when not identified with God’s people—Hebrew slaves lived a drastically different life than that of an adopted prince of Egypt. But Moses came to realize something very important that we should remember: The supposed advantages of not identifying with God’s people and the pleasures of sin are actually lies. Sure, we may avoid persecution and pressure. Things may seem to go easier in life from time-to-time. But here is something far greater than an easy time: being in communion with God and his people through Jesus Christ.2 Sin and ease promise things and never deliver. Hebrews 11 reminds us that God promises us something far greater—himself—and he always delivers. Moses was rich beyond most people’s wildest dreams. Of course, riches are not wrong in and of themselves, but Moses had access to riches that would have put him at odds with God’s people. He had a choice to make and he made it because he knew that physical prosperity, especially when it comes from not being identified with God’s people, pales in comparison to the inheritance that is ours in Christ.
So instead of reveling in wealth and ease, Moses chose mistreatment for the sake of the Christ who was to come. This is a reminder to us that mistreatment is not necessarily unexpected for those who belong to God. Reproach is often heaped on those who hold to Christ. The Hebrew Christians were being mistreated when they first heard these words nearly two-thousand years ago. But was going back the answer? No, and it is not the answer for us when we are mistreated for the sake of Christ, either. Remember, we are in a spiritual war, and war wounds. But we are following in the footsteps of our Savior.
Christ was mistreated and suffered reproach in ways that you and I will never fully understand. But then he received the glory and reward that are his even now at the Father’s right hand. We follow him, Christian. As goes the King, so goes his kingdom. Where the head leads, the body follows. Christ identified with us, took on our flesh, suffered for us, and was raised for us. Therefore, identify with him and his people. And remember that the world’s reproach only lasts so long. It is only a temporary worldly disadvantage, and it really is not a disadvantage at all in the grand scheme of things. In eternity, do you think you will regret identifying with the Savior who gave himself for you because of the difficulties you face in this temporal life? As you see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ for the everlasting ages, will the reproach of this world bring you sorrow, envy, and bitterness? Perish the thought! Christ was glorified and rewarded for his work. And because of his work, we who trust in him alone for salvation are following him to our heavenly reward. May we remember that and live like it, as Moses did!
Verse 26 is really the heart of Moses’ story in Hebrews 11. His priorities were straight—he knew which reward was best. And what was the reward he prioritized? God himself. Perhaps we could say that looking here means focusing. God was in the center of his vision, and that helped him realize that the riches of Egypt were nothing more than a mirage. But the reproach of Christ leads to true riches that never end. To truly identify with Christ and his people (by faith alone) leads to everlasting blessing.
So having seen God and having his priorities straight, by faith Moses left Egypt. When did he leave? It seems to be when he went into exile after killing the Egyptian (Exod 2:11–15). Going back to Stephen’s famous sermon, in Acts 7:23–29 we read,
When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, “Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?” But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?” At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
In other words, Moses’ trust in God overshadowed his fear. What kept him going? A better sight: the sight of the God who had saved and would save. What ought to keep us going? The sight of Christ who has saved us. This is the kind of sight that leads to patience and bravery, because it reminds us whose and who we are. Sure, the world may rage against Christ’s people, but it is a futile rebellion against the King of Kings (Ps 2). Look to Christ. Look to your true reward. And do not look back.
Faith and the Passover
By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. (Hebrews 11:28)
How did God testify to Moses during the Passover? Recall that the patriarchs we saw at the beginning of Hebrews 11 struggled with what they did not see. God promised descendants, a land, and an exodus, but they were still waiting for these things. The believers who came later, like Moses here, struggled with what they did see: God’s people oppressed as slaves. Moses saw the pain of his brothers and sisters in Egypt. But God told him to put the blood of a spotless lamb on the lintel and doorposts (Exod 12). In other words, God testified to him that he would save his people from wrath through the blood of a substitute. He would redeem them and bring them into his land while dwelling in their midst.
Why does this matter? On the one hand, it matters because God brings judgment and condemnation. This is a holy God, and sin leads to his judgment. But on the other hand, it also matters because God also saves in grace and mercy. The Passover was from God, not from man. A substitute for sinners was necessary, and God himself gave the instructions for it. So what about us—what does this tell us? It tells us that suffering and even persecution are to be expected in this life. But we ought to remember where it is leading. The Old Testament sacrifices were meant to point to a final sacrifice to take away sins (Heb 10:12; 1 John 3:5). Believer, you have this sacrifice: Christ. Going back or going elsewhere makes no sense.
Faith and the Red Sea
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.” (Hebrews 11:29)
How did God testify to the people of Israel when they crossed the Red Sea? Well, it sure seemed like the end of all things to the Israelites. God had brought plagues, freedom, and plunder only to let them die at the side of the sea. Or at least, that seems to be what they thought (Exod 14:11). But God had other plans, of course. One of the best descriptions of what happens next comes from my favorite psalm, Psalm 77. Verse 19 reads, “Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.”
The Exodus was the Old Testament story of redemption in the minds of Israelites. This is what they thought of when they heard the term salvation. This was their paradigm. This was their story. God fulfilled his promises by saving his enslaved people and wiping out his and their enemies. But the preacher to the Hebrews does not stop with the Exodus. The point of Hebrews is that Jesus is better, and the Old Testament points to him. The Exodus, great as it was, was always meant to point to something greater.
It is an insufficient illustration, as they all are, but consider a wedding rehearsal. The bride-to-be and groom-to-be are there along with their wedding party and the minister. Words are said and steps are taken, but none of it is official yet. The rehearsal shows what is coming and points ahead to the big day as a preview. It is good, but not as good as what is coming! So it is with the Old Testament Exodus—good as it was, it pales in comparison to that which it pointed: the redemption Christ won for his people. God certainly redeemed his people in Egypt. But better than that, he has redeemed us in Christ. This God is worthy of trust. Moses knew that and trusted in him. We ought to trust him too. Look to Christ. Rest in his work for you. And do not turn back.
Faith and the Conquest
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. (Hebrews 11:30–31)
How did God testify to his people during the conquest? Consider their situation: Jericho was seen as an impenetrable fortress. And Israel’s battle plan was a bit weird, to put it mildly. It would have seemed like they were outgunned, at least humanly speaking. Yet God conquered because that is who he is and what he does. The Hebrew Christians were facing pressure—it seemed like they were outgunned. But they had the same God, and so do we.
But the most shocking thing here is not that God conquered the city-fortress. He also conquered a Canaanite prostitute’s heart. Who could have seen that coming? Yet that is what our gracious God did. Why does it matter? Because God testified that those who believe are saved and that the unbelieving world is condemned, no matter where they come from or what their status may be.3 Remember, it is not about faith itself, it is about the object of faith: Jesus Christ. So trust him and call for mercy—if he can save a Canaanite prostitute, then he can save a sinner like you, too.
In all of Hebrews 11, Rahab and Sarah are the only women mentioned by name. Rahab is presented as the opposite of Moses in Hebrews 11. Moses was physically descended from Abraham and had high status in the world. Rahab was ethnically a Canaanite, part of the people who would soon be “vomited out” of God’s land (Lev 18:28), and she had a sinful profession. Yet both had faith in the God who promised and the Christ who was to come, and the Christ who was to come was enough to save both.
Conclusion
It is easy to conceive of this cloud of witnesses as being full of exemplary people, but there is a Canaanite a prostitute right here in the mix (and we will get to some other spicy characters in the next installment). Hebrews 11 reminds us about God’s testimony to us in Jesus Christ. Our salvation is all from God’s mercy, and it is based only on Christ’s merit, not your own. That is the point. Do not fear. Instead, remember and trust. Christ has gone ahead of us and goes with us as we run the Christian race.
Notes
- Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (Eerdmans, 1977), 492.
- Luke Timothy Johnson, Hebrews: A Commentary, The New Testament Library (Westminster John Knox Press, 2006), 520.
- Gareth Lee Cockerill, The Epistle to the Hebrews, NICNT (Eerdmans, 2012), 484–85.
©Chris Smith. All Rights Reserved.
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Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith is originally from Bellevue, Nebraska. A graduate of Westminster Seminary California (M.Div 2019; MA (Historical Theology) 2020). He is associate pastor of Phoenix URC in the United Reformed Churches of North America. He is currently pursuing a ThM in systematic theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.
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