20 By faith Isaac also blessed Jacob and Esau concerning their future.
21 By faith Jacob blessed each of Joseph’s sons as he was dying and bowed in worship over the head of his staff.[b]
22 By faith Joseph recalled the exodus of the Israelites at the end of his life, and gave instructions about burying his bones.
23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months when he was born, because they saw that the child was beautiful and they weren’t afraid of the king’s orders.
24 By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter when he was grown up. 25 He chose to be mistreated with God’s people instead of having the temporary pleasures of sin. 26 He thought that the abuses he suffered for Christ were more valuable than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking forward to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. He kept on going as if he could see what is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, in order that the destroyer could not touch their firstborn children.[Footnotes:
Hebrews 11:18 Gen 21:12
Hebrews 11:21 Gen 47:31 LXX]
RG AUDIO 020715"Treasures of Egypt" by Cindy Lowcock
From the moment his parents held their collective breath and placed their baby boy into the Nile, faith became the predominant equation in the life of Moses: faith to fight against the Egyptians, to lead stubborn people across the desert, to be obedient to the voice of an invisible God.
We live in a world where personal possessions are over-valued, where a sense of entitlement is standard. The “treasures of Egypt” are attractive to many people in our society. Even Christians can fall into the trap of believing that they deserve rewards for what they give to the world.
Moses had faith to turn away from the “treasures of Egypt.” Similarly, if we desire to move away from our desire for things we need to have the faith Moses demonstrated. Such a faith will influence our decisions, give us direction, and lead others into faith as well.
Believe. Don’t wait for power, position, adoration, or even clarity. Simply believe, and with an obedient heart turn away from the “treasures of Egypt.” Focus on what we have now: this moment. What we can treasure is today, and the certain hope we have in knowing Jesus Christ.
Hymn for Today: "Go Down, Moses" Text: Afro-American spiritual (Exodus 3:7-12)
1. When Israel was in Egypt's land,
let my people go;
oppressed so hard they could not stand,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
2. "Thus saith the Lord," bold Moses said,
let my people go;
"if not, I'll smite your first-born dead,"
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
3. No more shall they in bondage toil,
let my people go;
let them come out with Egypt's spoil,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
4. We need not always weep and mourn,
let my people go;
and wear those slavery chains forlorn,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
5. Come, Moses, you will not get lost,
let my people go;
stretch out your rod and come across,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
6. As Israel stood by the water's side,
let my people go;
at God's command it did divide,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
7. When they had reached the other shore,
let my people go;
they sang a song of triumph o'er,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
8. O Moses, the cloud shall cleave the way,
let my people go;
a fire by night, a shade by day,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
9. Your foes shall not before you stand,
let my people go;
and you'll possess fair Canaan's land,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
10. This world's a wilderness of woe,
let my people go;
O let us on to Canaan go,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
11. O let us all from bondage flee,
let my people go;
and let us all in Christ be free,
let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, (go down) Moses, (Moses)
way down in Egypt's land;
tell old Pharaoh
to let my people go!
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