24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
The events of verses 24–26 find no parallel in Exodus but are implications drawn from his life.
11:24
By faith Moses,
Moses chose to lead Israel out of Egypt by faith. He believed that God would fulfill His covenant to Abraham (Ge 12–17).
when he became of age,
“Became of age” refers to Moses’ growth to a seasoned man. He was a prince of Egypt for 40 years. Steeped in Egyptian culture, he was educated and wealthy (Acts 7:22). He knew hieroglyphics from the Egyptians and Hebrew from his mother.
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
Moses was clear in his understanding of God’s purpose for him (Acts 7:20–38). He also assumed that the nation Israel understood this calling, but he was wrong.
This refusal to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter was an attitude and act of faith by Moses. All the influence of Egyptian culture could not move him from the will of God. At age 40 he made a crucial decision to do the will of God and reject the prerogatives in Egypt.
11:25
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God
Moses made a deliberate decision to suffer with the people of God. Casting his lot with the Israelites was no impulsive decision.
than to enjoy the passing [transitory] pleasures of sin,
The reference here may be to the comforts of living in Pharaoh’s palace. Exodus does not give us this detail. The “sin” here may reference Moses’ disloyalty to God for not leading Israel out of Egypt.
PRINCIPLE:
Believers need to make an unequivocal decision to walk by faith.
APPLICATION:
Moses rejected wealth, political power of the greatest empire on earth at the time he lived—Egypt. Egypt was the wealthiest nation in the world at this time. He had every material need anyone could ask. Culture, fame, and wealth did not influence him. He made a clear, unequivocal decision to follow the Lord no matter what might come. God had a great plan for him and the nation Israel.
