GREAT STORIES OF THE BIBLE – PART 11 MOSES THE PRINCE EXODUS 1–2 & HEBREWS 11:23–26

“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. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. 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.” – Hebrews 11:23–26

THE MAKING OF A DELIVERER

The New Testament book of Hebrews gives us a sweeping summary of Moses’ life—but behind that bold faith lie layers of personal sacrifice, family courage, and divine providence.

We often highlight the moment Moses chose to forsake the treasures of Egypt for the reproach of Christ, but how did he get there? For that, we turn to Exodus 1–2—the story behind the faith.

THE BACKDROP OF OPPRESSION

Four centuries after Joseph had brought his family to Egypt, the descendants of Israel had multiplied into a mighty people. But a new Pharaoh arose—one who had no memory of Joseph’s contribution and saw the Israelites only as a threat. Fear gave birth to hatred, and hatred led to enslavement.

In an attempt to curb the Hebrew population, Pharaoh commanded the death of all newborn Hebrew boys. But not all would comply.

THE BABY IN THE BASKET

Among the Hebrews was a couple named Amram and Jochebed. When Jochebed bore a son, they saw something special in him—and, more importantly, they had faith. They hid him for three months before placing him in a waterproofed basket and setting him afloat on the Nile.

This act was not surrender but a profound step of trust in God. The baby’s sister Miriam stood watch as Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the child. Moved with compassion, she took him in and, through Miriam’s quick thinking, hired Jochebed—his own mother—to nurse and raise him.

The princess named him Moses, a name echoing both Egyptian and Hebrew meanings—“drawn out,” foreshadowing not only his rescue from the river, but also the deliverance he would one day bring to his people.

THE CHOICE OF A PRINCE

Moses grew up surrounded by privilege, educated in all the wisdom of Egypt. Some traditions even suggest he was being groomed to rule. But the seeds of faith sown by his family could not be choked out by luxury.

Around the age of forty, Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. In a fit of justice, he killed the Egyptian and tried to hide the act. The next day, after a confrontation between two Hebrews, Moses realized his deed was known. When Pharaoh sought to kill him, Moses fled to Midian, beginning a new chapter of exile and preparation.

THE FAITH OF FAMILY

The courage of Moses’ parents laid the foundation for his destiny. According to extra-biblical Jewish tradition, Amram had once divorced Jochebed out of grief for Pharaoh’s decree, only to reunite with her after a prophecy from their daughter Miriam foretold the birth of a deliverer.

By faith, they brought Moses into the world, knowing the risk. By faith, they let him go into the Nile. Today, parents still send their children into the unknown rivers of life, trusting God for protection and purpose.

THE FAITH OF FORSAKING

Moses could have stayed in Pharaoh’s palace. He could have lived in comfort and died in luxury. But he chose a different path—the path of suffering with God’s people. He chose to bear disgrace for the sake of the Messiah.

He looked beyond Egypt’s riches to a greater reward.

In that way, Moses pointed forward to Jesus, who left the glories of heaven to suffer for us. Moses cast aside the crown of Egypt, just as Christ would one day trade a crown of glory for a crown of thorns.

A LESSON FOR TODAY

Faith doesn’t always look like miracles and mighty acts. Sometimes it looks like a baby in a basket. Sometimes it’s a tearful goodbye at a riverbank. And sometimes it’s the hard, costly decision to walk away from the easy life and follow God into the wilderness.

Moses looked to the reward. So must we.

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