So I’m slowly making my way through Hebrews and come to a complete halt at 11:24-26. A familiar passage to us:
“ By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. ”
(Hebrews 11:24–26, NET)
Moses makes a costly demonstration of his God-imparted faith by throwing his lot in with despised and enslaved Hebrew people. Why would he prefer the poor treatment of a slave over the regal lifestyle of royalty? The answer is stunning! Moses considered the abuse he suffered, at the hands of the Egyptians, as having done so for Christ. And what more, he considered this abuse as wealth! Abuse as wealth? Yep. Why did he view abuse as greater than the gold of Egypt? Moses was a Christian Hedonist. Sorry, I slipped into Piper-land for a moment. But in all seriousness, Moses has his eyes set on something that supernaturally alters that which is Ugly–>Beautiful and Beautiful–>Ugly.
I’m looking for my readers (all 3 of yal) to chime in with some thoughts. It’s not a matter of whether the passage is intellectually understandable. Sure I get it, in my head. But have I experienced it. Or a bigger and tougher question. Would I gladly welcome this kind of affliction if it were the only way for me to treasure Christ properly?
What Say You?