This morning we come to the life of Moses, a man who practiced his faith in God and His promises. Moses is the one associated with leading Israel out of Egypt as God enabled him to represent the Lord before the Pharaoh.

But as we come to our text we notice it is not the faith of Moses which begins this section, but the faith of Moses' parents. HEB 11:23 "By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict."

Moses' parents chose to disobey the king's edict, which clearly stated that every male infant of Israel should be put to death. EXO 1:6 "Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died,
7 but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.
8 Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt.
9 "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us.
22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: "Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live."
2:1 Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman,
2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months."

The edict from the king was to throw the male children of Israel into the Nile river to drown. It's interesting that the last plague from God to strike Egypt dealt with the firstborn male children of the Egyptians who would die if not covered by the blood of the sacrificial lamb.

It's also worth noting, from a spiritual stand-point, how Satan tries to destroy the seed of the woman, who God said, would crush Satan. Here in Egypt he tries to destroy any possibility of the line of the Messiah continuing by destroying all male children.

We see a similar incident when Jesus, the Messiah, was born. Though Herod was used by the enemy to try and kill the Christ child, it was Satan who, once again, endeavored to make a last ditch effort to snuff out the life of the One who came into this world to be both light and life. But as in the case of Moses, Satan failed in both instances.

But, despite the royal command from the King of Egypt, these two parents chose to hide their son. In this case it was better to obey God rather than man. But, we're told the reason they hid him, was not just that they were not willing to kill their own child, but also that he was a fine child, as the NIV puts it.

The NAS and NKJV calls him a beautiful child, while the KJV refers to him as a proper child. At first glance it would appear that the physical appearance of this child is what motivated them to hide him. But what parent doesn't think that their child is beautiful or fine?

No, to simply make a choice based on physical beauty would base this choice on carnal reasons, not faith, which is what distinguishes this particular act of the parents of Moses. Keep in mind that all of Israel knew of the promise of Joseph given many years ago, that God would be with them and deliver them from Egypt.

A.W. Pink makes this observation: "Heb.11:23 distinctly affirms that it was by faith the parents of Moses acted, and this it is which explains their conduct. Now Rom.10:17 tells us, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God": Thus Amram and Jochebed, must have received a Divine revelation (not recorded in the O.T.), and this word from God formed the foundation of their confidence, and supplied the motive-power of what they did........

...... It is true from the prophecy given to Abram (Gen.15) that the time for the deliverance of Israel from Egypt was drawing near, as they also knew from the prediction of Joseph (Gen.50:24) that God was going to undertake for His people. Yet we are persuaded that Heb.11:23 refers to something more definite and specific. Most probably the Lord made known to these parents that their child was to be the promised deliverer, and furnished them beforehand with a description of him."

Now, we are not told specifically that this is what God did with Amram and Jochebed, and yet it is not inconsistent with what we read in Acts 7:20 with Stephen's defense. "And it was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God; and he was nurtured three months in his father's home."

Again, it was not a physical beauty alone which God was looking at, but a loveliness which saw Moses as the one He would choose to fulfill His plan to bring Israel out of Egypt. In whatever way God revealed this to his parents, they submitted by faith and hid the boy, and then by faith put him in the Nile in a specially prepared basket for the King's daughter to find.

This is how Moses started his life as God chose him for a very special purpose. This purpose would be shown to Moses as he too would have to put his faith into action. HEB 11:24 "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.
25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time."

Moses had grown up and it grieved him to see his people being mistreated. On one occasion he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. He came to the Hebrew's defense and killed the Egyptian. But the Pharaoh found out and sought Moses' life. He fled and spent the next 40 years in Midian.

But Moses had made a choice to separate himself from the Egyptian ways. He understood that the life of Egypt was not what God wanted of him. And this is what God shows us as well. He has called us out of bondage and tells us to separate from Egypt and not claim it as home.

Moses lived in Egypt for 40 years and yet, like Joseph, he knew it wasn't home. Though he wasn't physically separated from Egypt during those first 40 years, he was spiritually separated unto the Lord.

You and I live in this world, but we must separate ourselves from this world to the extent that we do not think of it as our home, or that it will satisfy what only God can satisfy. This is what Paul speaks of in 2CO 6:16 "What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

Moses understood that separation from Egypt was not an option. By faith he followed the Lord, and as we read in our text, "when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter."

Like Moses, we, by faith in God, must refuse to be associated as sons and daughters of this world. This world is not our home and to be in this world, but not of it, we must continue to live by faith in the promises of God and His faithfulness each day as we live to His honor and glory.

Now, admittedly this may bring with it ill-treatment, just as it did with Moses when he associated himself with the people of God, but like Moses we need to see with spiritual eyes during those times and also understand that the temporal pleasures of this world could never be compared to the eternal relationship we have with our God.

What is it that motivated Moses in this respect? HEB 11:26 "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."

He looked at his high position as the son of the Pharaoh's daughter, which made him the grandson of the Pharaoh, and he determined, as great as all of that was, it couldn't compare with what he looked forward to by faith; the same thing Abraham, Isaac and Jacob looked forward to. They were "looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (HEB 11:10)

Is there any place that could compare with that? Well how would we know?, after all we've never seen heaven, nor the throne of God; "the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." In fact, as we look around this world we can see some pretty nice things. The lifestyles of the rich and famous are nothing to sneeze at. Who wouldn't love to have enough wealth so that you would never have to worry about bills, or how you will educate your children, or to know that you'll always have a car or cars which will be dependable.

Wouldn't it be nice to play a part in helping to grow the economy as you provide jobs for people. How many maids and servants would you like to hire? Moses had it all. But with eyes of faith, he looked beyond and saw God. I'm not suggesting that nice things and wealth are inherently evil. But, if that's all you live for then you've got your reward if you attain it. But the best of this world will still burn, it will not last.

Moses knew that there was something more than Egypt. He knew God didn't live in a house on the beach. He knew that nothing in this physical world could ever satisfy for eternity. How did he know that? The same way you and I know that; by faith in the living God and His promises.

HEB 11:26 "He 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 verse is very revealing. Notice that the writer of Hebrews shows us why Moses did not value the treasures of Egypt as an end in themselves. In fact, he knew that there was something of greater value. And because he saw the value of what God offered, he rejected the association with Egypt and it's pleasures.

Notice what he regarded as of greater value. 26) "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt..." You mean to tell me that someone would rather be disgraced or persecuted, for Christ's sake, than have everything in the world? Moses did.

Remember what Jesus said in MAT 16:26 "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Moses would rather forfeit the things in this world to know, that as he places his faith in God, he will have infinitely more which will never come to an end. But, for Moses, it wasn't just to know that he would have a great eternity with infinite blessings. He knew there was something greater than even that. His reward was Christ.

That's what Heb.11:26 tells us. Moses was conscious of the fact that it was the Messiah he was looking forward to meeting and spending eternity with. It was the Christ, the Son of God, he yearned for. You might say, how could Moses know Jesus? The same way Abraham knew Jesus. Remember what our Lord Jesus said to the Jews in JOH 8:56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

Abraham rejoiced in Christ, the Messiah, who would come into this world to redeem us and bring us into that city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (HEB 11:10)

Moses too, knew the Messiah by faith. And he knew that in following the Messiah he might have to endure hardships. But even in hardships with the Lord, to know Christ was greater than any wealth Egypt could produce, because the reward with Christ is eternal.

This is exactly what Jesus said in MAT 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

The apostle Paul understood the same thing when he wrote in PHI 3:7 "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

A.W. Pink asks the question; "What is my chief delight? Earthly riches, honors, comforts, or communion with God? Can I truly say, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;..." (PSA 84:10)

By faith, Moses saw beyond this world to an eternal reward with Christ. But his faith was constant in that he walked by faith all his days. HEB 11:27 "By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."

Moses left Egypt, together with all of Israel. That's a pretty bold thing to do. Prior to this Moses stood before the Pharaoh with God's message to, "Let My people go!" You better have some faith to stand before the most powerful man in the world at that time and demand that he let the Hebrew nation go to worship God in the desert.

Pharaoh could very easily have said, 'off with his head.' But Moses knew whom he served and followed as God told Moses what he needed to do. And so to leave Egypt, not fearing the King's anger, was also faith in action, because Moses knew that Pharaoh had the resources and the motivation to pursue them when they left.

Our text says, he persevered or endured. He didn't decide to call it quits half way through. He persevered and endured to the very end, even to the leaving of Egypt, when he knew Pharaoh would probably pursue him.

But notice what our writer points out in verse 27 as the reason he did not fear the King. "Because he saw Him who is invisible." What an amazing statement. F.F. Bruce in his commentary says, "This need not be taken as a specific allusion to the burning bush, but to the fact that Moses paid more attention to the invisible King of kings than to the king of Egypt. If faith is a conviction regarding things not seen, it is first and foremost a conviction regarding the unseen God as has been emphasized already in the affirmation that he who comes to God must believe that He is (vs.6). Our author probably means that Moses' lifelong vision of God was the secret of his faith and perseverance."

You and I must be able to see with eyes of faith as we trust in the invisible God. We have not seen and yet we believe. And yet we have seen Him as He has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ and has touched our hearts in a way where we clearly recognize His life in us. But we can only recognize that life by faith as we had received it by faith.

Dr. Donald Guthrie points out that in Col.1:15 "Paul speaks of God as invisible, although he recognizes that he has shown his image in Christ. There is undoubtedly a paradox in the seeing of the unseeable, but this is of the very essence of faith."

How many times in our lives have we wondered where God is? How many times have we thought that if we could only see the face of God it would bolster our faith and enable us to persevere and endure? It is a paradox in the seeing of the unseeable. But Christ has given us eyes to see.

It is God who has done this work in our lives and it is God who enables us to see Him by faith, knowing that He is there and will never leave us or forsake us. Our Lord Jesus gives some insight into where this sight comes from when He spoke to Paul shortly after his encounter on the road to Damascus.

ACT 26:17 "I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them
18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'"

It is Christ who opens our eyes and it is He who must receive all credit and glory for the work He has done in our lives as we are enabled to receive it by faith, as we see the truth that we are sinners in need of a Savior, but also the truth that we belong to Him and will go home to see Him one day.

Jesus said in MAT 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

Our spiritual eyesight sees God and accepts Him by faith today, but there will be a day when we will see our God face to face. But until that time we must look to Him and embrace Him by faith.

HEB 11:28 "By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel."

It's one thing to want to leave behind the Egypt which entices us, it's another thing to embrace the provision for getting out. Moses spent his life trusting that God would take him and the Lord's people out of Egypt, but he had to also embrace by faith the actual means of leaving.

Many people in this world say they want God, and yet when it comes down to accepting the only provision for their deliverance they choose Egypt. There is only one way out and that's through the blood of the lamb.

Moses knew what God's provision was and by faith he encouraged Israel to follow the Lord. It may have seemed a strange thing to Israel to expect to be delivered through the shedding of the blood of an innocent lamb and yet they had to embrace that provision by faith; not just a faith which intellectually understood the provision, but by a faith which actually carried out the command.

It is through the shedding of blood, personally put on the doorpost, that kept the Destroyer from their door. If they had not physically killed the lamb and spread its blood on the door-post they too would see their firstborn die, just as those of Egypt. Their faith, of necessity, had to obey in the promises of God.

If our supposed faith is no more than simply agreeing to the things of God, and yet not obeying God regarding those promises and commands, then we do not have a faith which can really see the invisible God. It is a faith of convenience, not of conviction.

That's the kind of faith which the Jews of Jesus' day had, which was really no faith at all. It was a faith that demanded to see before they believed. God gives us a faith which believes, allowing us to see His mighty hand working in our lives.

But look at what our text says. HEB 11:28 By faith he (that is Moses) kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

It is Moses who is seen as the one responsible to trust God for the deliverance of the rest of the people. It's not as though the individual people didn't have to engage their faith in obedience, but Moses was given the responsibility to bring this good news before them and be ready to be the only one who believed it, if necessary. Through his faith and leadership Moses was the herald to the rest of the nation that God would deliver.

You and I are given the awesome task by God of letting the world see our faith as we bring them the good news of deliverance. We've been called to lead the people out of Egypt with the gospel.

Is this not what our Lord told us in MAT 28:18 "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

God's great commission to you and me is to go out into the world and make disciples. In other words, other people who would follow us as we lead them to Christ. A disciple is a follower and a learner. And the Israelites in Egypt also were disciples of Moses as they followed his lead.

But his lead always took them to the God who delivers. What a great privilege for you and me today to be sent out by God to show the captives that they can be set free from the penalty and the power of sin.

If we've left Egypt, turning from this world and it's enticements, then may we never go back, and may we always look to our invisible God who loves us so much and will always be there for us.

May we always have an appreciation for what our Lord did for us in fulfilling His promise to come into this world and shed His innocent blood on our behalf giving us the way out of destruction and separation from Him. May our lives glory in His life and may we be thankful for the cross of Christ who died that we may have life, life eternal with Him.

May we say with Paul in GAL 6:14 "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Don't be tempted to go back and play in the mud when we've got a palace in heaven where we will dwell with our God forever. The faith God has given us can move mountains. But more important the faith God has given us allows us to see Him and the work of salvation He is accomplishing in our lives to His glory.

Let us honor our great God and go forward in the power of His Spirit tearing down spiritual strongholds and building up one another, encouraging each other to live by faith not by sight. And as we do this, may we go into Egypt and give them the greatest news this world has ever heard. Jesus Christ lives and gives life to all who repent and believe in Him.