Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit · Sermon No. 1063
“By faith Moses, when came of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Hebrews 11:24,25,26.
LAST Sunday we spoke upon the faith of Rahab [RAHAB, #1061]. We had then to mention her former unsavory character and to show that, notwithstanding, her faith triumphed and both saved her and produced good works. Now it has occurred to me that some persons would say, “This faith is, no doubt, a very suitable thing for Rahab and persons of that class. A people destitute of sweetness and light may follow after the Gospel and it may be a very proper and useful thing for them, but the better sort of people will never take to it.”
I thought it possible that, with a sneer of contempt, some might reject all faith in God as being unworthy of persons of a higher condition of life and another manner of education. We have, therefore, taken the case of Moses, which stands as a direct contrast to that of Rahab, and we trust it may help to remove the sneer, though, indeed, that may be of small consequence—for if a man is given to sneering it is hardly worth while to waste five minutes in reasoning with him. The scorner is usually a person so inconsiderate that his scoffing deserves to be unconsidered. He who is great at sneering is good for nothing else, and he may as well be left to fulfill his vocation.
It occurred to me, also, that nevertheless, some might in all seriousness, say, “I have, through the Providence of God and the circumstances which surround me, been kept from outward sin. Moreover, I am not a member of the lowest ranks and do not belong to the class of persons of whom Rahab would be a suitable representative. In fact, I have, by the Providence of God, been placed in a choice position and can, without egotism, claim a superior character.” It is possible that such persons may feel as if they were placed under a disadvantage by this very superiority! The thought has passed over their mind, “The Gospel is for sinners. It evidently comes to the chief of sinners and blesses them. We are free to admit that we are sinners, but perhaps because we have not sinned so openly we may not be so conscious of the sin, and consequently our mind may not be so well prepared to receive the abounding Grace of God which comes to the vilest of the vile.”
I have known some who have almost wished that they were literally like the prodigal son in his wanderings, that they might be more readily like he is in his return! It is altogether a mistake under which they labor, but it is by no means an uncommon one. Perhaps, as we introduce to their notice one of the heroes of faith who was a man of noble rank, high education and pure character, they may be led to correct their thoughts. Moses belonged to the noblest order of men, but he was saved by faith, alone, even by the same faith which saved Rahab! This faith moved him to the faithful service of God and to an unparalleled self-denial. My earnest prayer is that you who are moral, amiable and educated may see in the action of Moses an example for yourselves.
No longer despise a life of faith in God! It is the one thing which you lack—the one thing above all others necessary. Are you young men of high position? Such was Moses. Are you men of spotless character? Such, also, was he. Are you now in a position where to follow out conscience will cost you dearly? Moses endured as seeing Him who is invisible and though for a while a loser, he is now an eternal gainer by the loss! May the Spirit of God incline you to follow in the path of faith, virtue and honor where you see such a man as Moses leading the way!
We shall first consider the decided action of Moses. Secondly, the source of his decision of character—it was “by faith.” Thirdly, we shall look into those arguments by which his faith directed his action, after which we shall briefly reflect upon those practical lessons which the subject suggests.
I. And first let us observe THE DECIDED ACTION OF MOSES. “When he had come to years he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” We need not narrate the stories which are told by Josephus and other ancient writers with regard to the early days of Moses, such as, for instance, his taking the crown of Pharaoh and trampling upon it. These things may be true, but it is equally possible that they are pure fiction. The Spirit of God has certainly taken no notice of them in Holy Scripture and what He does not think worth recording we need not think worth considering.
Nor shall I more than hint at answers to the question why it was that Moses remained no less than 40 years in the court of Pharaoh and doubtless, during that time, was called, “the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,” and if he did not enjoy the pleasures of sin, at any rate, had his share in the treasures of Egypt. It is just possible that he was not a converted man up to the age of forty. Probably during his early days he was, to all intents and purposes, an Egyptian, an eager student, a great proficient in Egyptian wisdom and also, as Stephen tells us in Acts, “a man mighty in words and in deeds.”