A Better Consideration

​Hebrews 11:26 ~ “He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
 
What is it you’re looking toward? It will significantly direct your steps while you walk in this world. There is a tremendous danger in the consideration of the treasures of Egypt—that is, in the wealth and prosperity that might exist in this world but outside of Christ. The people of God often desired to go back to the comforts of their former enslavement. Numbers 11:5 gives voice to their cravings, “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.” We read of their complaint against Moses as he led them away from their former life, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger” (Exodus 16:3).
 
How have we complained against the LORD? Have we been led away from our sinful life to wander in the wilderness of this world, only to look back to the things that we left behind with a longing in our hearts? Those temporary conditions that are in this world are not worth comparing to the promised reward that we will inherit in Christ. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Many today do not have an eternal longing, but merely an appetite for a temporary condition that is more desirable than their current situation. In our text for today, Moses looked to the LORD, obeyed His command and received the promise.
 
The first thing we discover is that he “considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt.” Who could do such a thing? How can a reproached life, a life of misery and hardship, filled with the anger of the world and the displeasure of the people of God be a greater wealth? Would it not have been better for Moses that he remain in Egypt, receive wealth, power and influence so that he could have made life easier for the Israelites? I’ve heard that very argument against what Moses did. But consider it this way: Moses loved the LORD his God so much that no matter the machinations of the world and the intrigues that could have taken place, he would not have taken one step back toward Egypt no matter the suffering it caused.
 
Let us not make friends with the world so that we might find a more comfortable condition while we live here. Do you hold to the same consideration as Moses? Is the suffering brought on by your faithfulness to Jesus of greater wealth than all the treasures of this earth? Would you be willing to part with every other consideration than what will bring glory and honor to the LORD? If so, then leave off any other pursuit than that of obedience to the LORD Jesus. The days ahead may be filled with all manner of dangers and challenges—so be it. Embrace the truth that bearing the reproach of Christ is of greater wealth than anything this world might offer. And, also, consider the warning from the James 4:4, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Which is of greater wealth to you—friendship with Christ or with the world?
 
So, what was the end that Moses saw? As our text concludes, “he was looking to the reward.” There was far more ahead of Moses than anything he could leave behind. More than just looking to the physical promised land, the patriarch and leader of Israel looked beyond the world to see the promised inheritance that would come. He was looking to a city, a heavenly city, to a Divine promised land that no sinful foot has trod. He was looking toward the redemption of his life, along with all who walk by faith in Christ, illustrated in the Exodus from Egypt and fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus. And, by God’s sovereign purpose, Moses saw the One who would be the Deliverer when he stood with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (see Matthew 17:1-3).
 
For what reward do you look? Political victories are temporary. Financial success is shifting sand. Positional advancement will come and go. All things in this world are as a mist and vapor that blows away with the next breath of wind. Psalm 39:5 says, “Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!” Oh, my friends, pursue Christ. It is where Moses fixed his steps and endured reproach while in this world. Let your life be fixed upon Jesus as well, for from Him you will receive a permanent treasure and a lasting reward (see 1 Peter 1:3-9). It is a better consideration.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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