Hebrews 11 is the hall of faith and we have spent time looking at the pictures hanging on the wall, most recently we spent time with Joseph. Joseph had so many facets to his life that as I spent time writing about him, I realized that this next person has many facets also.
Beloved, the next person to study is Moses. We are introduced to Moses in Hebrews 11.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, 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 recompence of the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. Hebrews 11: 23-29.
So why was Moses hidden for three months. The Israelites were in Egypt because of the famine in the land, the relationship was good in the beginning, we just read about Joseph and how he saved his family. However, the Israelite nation continues to grow in numbers and we pick up the story in Exodus.
And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:7.
Leadership changes in Egypt, a new sheriff is in town. This new Pharaoh did not know Joseph and all the good things he did for Egypt. He sees the Israelites as a threat and makes their lives miserable.
Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Exodus 1: 8-9a.
And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. Exodus 1:14.
The King of Egypt is so upset he orders the midwives to kill all male babies. However the midwives feared God more than the King.
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. Exodus 1:17.
The midwives were questioned and proclaimed that the Israelite women would have their babies before they arrived, God mentions these midwives names that is how important they were.
And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: Exodus 1:15.
So this is the backdrop for our hero’s birth. He is born at a time when he should have been killed. His parents chose to have him and hide him for three months. This is the account of Moses’ birth.
And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.
And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and nursed it.
And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Beloved for today, who named you and what does your name mean? I was named by my father and Diana means goddess. Now my mother wanted to name me Lisa but there was a song that was not very favorable so Grandma didn’t like the name, my dad named me while mom was in recovery.
Moses is named by the princess, and his name means I drew him out of the water.
There is a lot of facts about Moses but from his upbringing he was educated in the house of Pharaoh. He is credited with writing Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Additionally he wrote Psalm 90.
Lessons
God knows where you are, who you are, and He knows your name. We all are given gifts to be used to honor God.
What are your gifts?
Father God, thank you for giving us our being, our purpose and a plan to give us a hope and a future.
Thank you for Moses. May we honor you in all we do and say. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
