Moses' Decisions

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. Hebrews 11:23

Exodus Chapters 1-2: By the time of Moses’ birth, oppression of the enslaved Hebrews was the current Pharaoh’s policy. The Jews were multiplying, and he was afraid they would become a force against him. We call this bigotry, in the 21st century. He was not concerned about their heritage (who’s Joseph?), and ordered the killing of all Hebrew male babies as they were born. The Hebrew midwives refused to do it, and Pharaoh then ordered all Egyptians to kill the male Hebrew babies. Moses’ parents, being faithful believers in God, were very pleased with their baby boy and decided to keep him hidden for three months, then placed him in a basket, hiding it among the reeds along the river. Moses’ sister watched while Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the child and offered to hire a wetnurse for him. Of course, the nurse was Moses’ own mother. She took care of the child until he was considered old enough to go and live with his adoptive Egyptian family. God had big plans for Moses, but his parents could not have known how big.

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 pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

Moses knew about his Hebrew origins and was keenly aware of the ill treatment of his people by the Egyptians. In anger one day, he killed an Egyptian. Apparently he was known to be the killer, so he went into exile for many years, and from this point he identified completely with his Hebrew people. As an Egyptian prince, he would have had a life of ease and luxury, even authority, with his royal adopted family. Those worldly pleasures were not worth denying his people, however, so he left it all behind, placing his trust in the God of his fathers, even though he knew this would bring him abuse.

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. Hebrews 11:27

During this period of exile, Moses was called and commissioned by God, the “I AM,” to lead His people out of Egypt. This involved a series of horrendous plagues on Egypt, as the Pharaoh continually refused to allow the Hebrews to leave. The final plague was the crusher of Pharaoh’s ego: the death of the firstborn, described in Exodus 12:29. The Hebrew households which obeyed the instructions for the Passover escaped this plague. The order was to kill an unblemished lamb, sprinkle its blood on the doorposts and lintel (forming a cross), eat the roasted meat (signifying faith) while fully dressed for travel, staying inside the house until the death angel passed over. Exodus 11-12 clearly spell out the details, all of which symbolize the coming savior, Who would die for the sin of the World. Every food, every preparation, every action performed by those Jews that night signified their security in the Lord’s care, and foreshadowed the perfect person and finished work of Jesus Christ.

By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. Hebrews 11:28-29

Exodus 14:23-31: After the deaths of all the Egyptian firstborn, even their cattle, Pharaoh couldn’t get the Jews out of Egypt fast enough, so he ordered them out, but then reneged and chased them as they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. The sea was no longer dry for Pharaoh’s armies, though, so the waters fell on them and they drowned.

It seems every 40 years of his life, Moses had a major challenge. He endured his stresses with patience and courage, because he knew the Lord of Life. God had preserved him in his infancy. God had protected him as he grew up in privilege. Moses never forgot his heritage. God was waiting for him out at Mt. Horeb, speaking out of that burning bush to appoint him the deliverer of His people.

Moses, by faith, became the courageous representative of “I AM,” the perfect, self-existing One, Whose plan and purpose for this people would bring blessing to all the families of the earth.

Moses’ faith enabled him to make the right decisions. Pharaoh let the people go.