Living By Faith: Part 7
In one tradition, Pharaoh’s daughter presented Moses to Pharaoh with these words: “I have brought up a child who is of divine form, and of a generous mind.… I thought proper to adopt him for my son and the heir of thy kingdom” (Josephus, Ant. 2.9.7 §232–234). Philo (Vita Mos. 1.13) also describes Moses as the only male heir to Pharaoh’s throne. Moses, then, renounces a place of highest esteem in the eyes of the world, preferring a lower status in this world as long as it means being connected to God’s people and the promised rewards of God—the very thing that the audience must continue to do each day.
Looking ahead to the future is the theme that links these three stories
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, 18 the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac., 19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff., 22 By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter 25 and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. 26 For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible. 28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.
If the first half of this passage recalls great triumphs of faith, the second half of this passage recalls episodes that, by the world’s standards, signaled defeat, but by God’s standards marked equal victory through faith.