Why Moses is My Hero

Moses is one of my own heroes of the faith. He displayed a lovely character (most of the time). Even though he wasn’t perfect, he had a relationship with God that few in history ever had. Deuteronomy 34:10 says, And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. Can you imagine? He actually spoke to God on an intimate basis—and God to him.

Hebrews 11 has a lot to say about Moses.

It starts off with Moses’ parents’ faith. They hid him for three months and then, they threw him—well, not quite threw—into the river, as Pharaoh had commanded. He was in a little ark basket that his mother had made and waterproofed, and he was watched by his big sister Miriam. Pharaoh’s daughter found him because he cried while she was bathing in the river, and the rest is history. The Bible says his parents were not afraid of the king’s commandment (Hebrews 11:23b). And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive (Exodus 1:22). Moses’ parents actually obeyed Pharaoh’s decree to the letter, putting their little boy into the river. (Okay, so they did it three months after he was born and in a protected little boat. But they did obey! And God honored them—and the Hebrew midwives—for choosing life.)

Here are some of the highlights from Hebrews 11:24-29:

• By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (v. 24). One has to wonder all that this means. Why did Moses seemingly turn his back on his adoptive mother? Is it because he knew he was Hebrew and actually was very influenced by his Hebrew family. I think maybe this is so.
• The next choice Moses made maybe clarifies the first one: Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (v. 25). Was the choice righteousness over sin? Suffering with God’s people rather than partying with the Egyptian royalty? I think so.
• Read this next verse very carefully. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. What’s the fifth word? Christ! When did Moses live? Ummmm, in the Old Testament, at the beginning of Exodus. He chose Christ! More than that, he chose the reproach of Christ over the treasures of Egypt. (Have you seen the amazing things from King Tut’s tomb? Have you seen pictures of Luxor and Giza, the pyramids and the sphinxes? We are talking treasures with a capital T. Gold, lapis lazuli, onyx, ivory, carvings, poetry, boats, servants, fabulous foods, beautiful clothing and jewelry.) Moses chose Christ! He looked forward to his Messiah and knew the present suffering was more than worth what awaited him, by faith, in heaven.
• I love this next verse, too: By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible (v. 27). Sounds like his parents, doesn’t he? He didn’t fear Pharaoh’s anger. He was spiritually strong and ready to lead God’s people!
• Do you remember the ten plagues of Egypt? Blood, lice, hail, frogs, flies, etc? The last one was that the death angel would kill the firstborn in each home where there was no blood sprinkled over the door and on the doorposts. Through faith he (Moses) kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them (v. 28). It was a terrible night for all of Egypt—except in the homes of the Hebrews. They had obeyed God, and the death angel passed over them on that first Passover. Thank God for Moses’ obedience and faith!
• Their journey wasn’t over. They had to get through the Red Sea. You remember what happened: By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned (v.29). Pharaoh, his choice soldiers, his chariots, and his horses were killed when the waters closed in on them, after the chariot wheels rolled off and made the chariots stuck. (I love that touch!) Isn’t it ironic that Pharaoh wanted to do away with all the Hebrew male babies, but God let them survive, escape, and then Pharaoh himself was killed—along with many male Egyptians—by water! 

There are many lessons here for us:

• God honors those who choose life for little babies. The midwives and Moses’ parents were blessed by God. (Read the midwives’ story in Exodus 1:15-21.)
• God wants parents to be the biggest influence in little lives. He honors that foundational teaching of right and wrong, loving God, and true values.
• Each person makes his own choices. They might be good or bad, right or wrong.
• Sometimes the pleasures and profits of sin are very tempting.
• It is important, when we choose, to keep the end goal in mind.
• Moses hadn’t seen the Messiah, didn’t have a complete Bible, and yet, he chose Christ. We have the New Testament history of Jesus on the earth and the Bible in our hands. May we choose Christ!
• Obedience is important to God. Moses and the other Hebrews honored God by preparing the Passover supper and sprinkling the blood of the lambs on the door frames. If they had not, there would have been much death in their camp. (The sprinkled blood symbolized Jesus’ blood that would be shed for them, so that they would have life.)
• God can remove any obstacle, even the Red Sea!
• God is the righteous Judge, and He punishes sin. Pharaoh was given many, many opportunities to repent, to seek God, and even to see God’s amazing power. What did he do? He hardened his heart. It was his choice, and at the end, there was no turning back. He ultimately caused the death of his heir, his army, and himself. Sad. 

Even though Moses’ experience of leading the children of Israel through the desert was no picnic, it was filled with many blessings: God’s provision of food, clothing, and water; God’s leading them by day and night; the privilege to talk to the Lord face to face and to see the backside of His glory; the privilege to hold the Law in his hands—twice; seeing God’s power over the enemy; finally getting to see (though not enter) the Promised Land.

I would love to be known as a person of faith, as was Moses. How about you?

By faith Moses . . . .