50_Be careful what you choose

Exodus 2:11-15 One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.

Heb 11:24-27 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. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

C.T. Studd was one of England’s finest cricketers, a man admired for his talent and celebrated for his success. Yet, he gave it all up to become a missionary in Africa. This choice was not impulsive. It was born of the conviction that serving Christ was the only thing of value in this life. His words express his faith: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what is done for Christ will last.” Despite frail health and immense challenges, Studd served the Lord tirelessly until his death. The full impact of his choice will be revealed only in eternity.

Our choices define our lives. They reveal our priorities and shape our character. Hebrews 11:24-27 holds up Moses as one who chose to live by faith, casting aside the temptation of fleeting gain. His story compels us to consider the weight and eternal significance of our own choices.

Moses was born in a time where he had no official right to live. Pharaoh had decreed death for all Hebrew male infants. Moses’ survival was an act of divine intervention. Rescued from the Nile by Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses grew up in the lap of luxury, a prince of Egypt. He was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became a man of influence and power. Yet, Moses faced a defining question: Who was he? Was he the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, with all the privileges, power, and wealth that entailed? Or was he a Hebrew, one of the slave people?

Not to remain in Pharaoh’s household would seem not only ungrateful but also irrational, for the Hebrews had no visible hope of freedom or prosperity. But Moses chose to identify as a Hebrew, one of the people of God. Why? Through faith he saw beyond the seen reality. God’s promises were more visible and real to him than Egypt’s treasures.

Moses knew the promises made to Abraham—that God would make his descendants a great nation and bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. Though the Israelites were oppressed in Egypt, Moses believed God’s promises would be fulfilled. He lived out his faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Moses recognized that the treasures of Egypt, however dazzling, were fleeting. By contrast, the promises of God offered eternal reward.

In faith, therefore, Moses chose to be part of God’s people, even though it meant suffering mistreatment with them, rather than continue to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin. The gratification derived from his earthly position in Egypt would not pay eternal dividends. Conversely, as a Hebrew, he would be faithful to God’s plan and promise. The allure of Egypt’s wealth and power paled in comparison to this eternal joy. Hebrews 11:26 tells us that Moses regarded “disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”

This choice was not made lightly or impulsively. Moses evaluated the immediate gains of remaining in Egypt against the eternal reward of following God. He understood that seeking God’s promise, as Jacob did, would yield far greater riches than this world could ever offer.

Moses’ faith gave him the courage to face opposition while leading out his people. Verse 27 says he left Egypt “not fearing the king’s anger.” Pharaoh was the most powerful man in the world at the time, but Moses saw the Almighty God. His faith gave him the strength to persevere despite the king’s wrath.

Moses’ life is of great value to us as we face decisions that test our faith and values. Will we choose the temporary pleasures and securities of this world, or will we range ourselves on God’s side because we trust in God’s eternal promises? The path of faith is hard and lonely at times, but it leads to eternal joy.

The distractions of the world may cloud our judgment and pull us away from God if we relax our vigilance. The worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the pursuit of other desires can easily choke our faith unless we weed them out. Moses’ story reminds us that we must keep our eyes fixed on what truly matters—God’s eternal kingdom.

The worries of this world can lead us to doubt God’s provision. When financial difficulties or personal trials arise, it’s tempting to use our own strength and the power of our networks to find a solution, or to compromise our principles. God’s way, as in Matthew 6:33, is to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” trusting that God will meet our needs.

Wealth and money are filthy since they attract our devotion and love, drawing us away from our Maker and Redeemer, God. Moses enjoyed access to fabulous wealth in Egypt, but turned away from it because of its fleeting nature. He understood that true wealth is in the commendation and approval of God, which comes from following his Son Jesus in faith and love.

Finally, the pursuit of “other things”—whether career, ambitions, relationships, or possessions—can become idols by taking priority over our relationship with God.

Moses’ faith gave him an eternal perspective that shaped every choice he made. It empowered him to give up the temporary for the eternal, to embrace suffering for the sake of Christ, and to trust in God’s promises even when its fulfilment remained unseen.

We too must make choices that reflect our faith. This may mean refusing a lucrative job that compromises our integrity, leaving a relationship that hinders our spiritual growth, or obeying God’s call even when the path seems uncertain. These decisions are rarely easy, but they are worth it. As C.T. Studd said, “Only what is done for Christ will last.”

Let us keep our eyes fixed on the invisible God and the eternal reward He promises. The path of faith, though difficult, leads to unshakable joy and the lasting treasures of God. Let us live in faith and walk by faith so that we will have the wisdom to choose well, the courage to stand firm, and the eyes to see beyond the transient present to the glorious future God has prepared for those who love Him.