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and in Moses they would see a very glorious example. These Hebrews were exhorted to
consider the "enduring" nature of their heavenly possessions; they were urged to
remember that they were associated with a kingdom that "remains" (12: 28), that here
they had no "continuing" city, but sought one to come (13: 14). So then the sinfulness of
Egypt's pleasures is not stressed so much as their transience. Moses had a birthright and
an adoption that he could not barter for Egypt's pottage (Heb. 12: 16; Rom. 9: 4), and
there was a danger that the Hebrews would succumb under the pressure of their trials, and
for a brief period of so-called "peace" forfeit their heavenly calling. The essential
element in the faith necessary to endure and overcame is that which is manifested in
Moses' action, and definitely expressed in Heb. 11: 6: "He that cometh to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder (a recompenser) of them that diligently seek
Him."
Hebrews is the epistle of the "right hand of God". There the Great High Priest has sat
down, and because the Psalmist said "At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore".
Those whose faith enables them to "see Him Who is invisible" are enabled to esteem, at
their true worth, those "pleasures of sin" that are "for a season".
Joseph and Moses.
Joseph's faith led him step by step to the throne of Egypt. Moses' faith led him step
by step away from Egypt and its throne to the wilderness and to hardship. Paul had said,
earlier, concerning the Patriarchs, that "if they had been mindful of that country from
whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned" (Heb. 11: 15).
We shall never lack the counsel of Mr. Worldly Wiseman, and our own hearts will often
turn us astray. Think how one might have argued the case with Moses:--
1.
Joseph's example. See how he used his exalted position for the glory of God and the
well-being of his people.
2.
Are you not therefore disobedient to the example of such a man?
3.
Why not see in your preservation and adoption just the same all-powerful Hand,
leading you on to this crisis in you life?
4.
Use your influence at Court; get measures put into operation that shall ameliorate
the sufferings of your people, and be a deliverer indeed.
Doubtless we can supplement this from our own experience. But all this would be
vain, for God had spoken. The promise made to Abraham, and remembered by Joseph
(Heb. 11: 22), was nearly due to be performed. God had said that Israel would be
afflicted, but at the set time He would bring them out, and Moses' faith, like our own,
rested upon "the Word of God" (Rom. 10: 17).
By the time Moses was born a new dispensation had dawned; "a new king that knew
not Joseph" occupied the throne. So the apostle would press upon the consciences of the
Hebrews the necessity of weigh the change of dispensation ushered in by the rejection of
their Messiah. They had to "forsake", "go forth unto Him without the camp", rather
than continue in those things that had ceased to be the will of God.