²⁴ By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter …

Told in many Sunday School classes and children’s summer camps, the story of Moses resonates to all ages. In some regards the plot line is very simple, yet as with much of Scripture, layers of understanding are woven throughout the text. Most Christians say that a windfall of money would not change them. Other’s wish for a life that is just a little better than what they have. Yet, Moses was unique among all the descendants of Abraham in Egypt, for here was a man who “had it all.”

Moses was a Jew who, because of his parents’ faith, was cleverly hidden in a basket in the Nile Pharaoh’s command to destroy all infant boys by throwing them into the river. He was discovered by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in the royal household. He was adopted into the wealthiest family in the Ancient Near East. He had the finest education, comfort, possessions—everything.

Moses provides one of two perfect “bookends” along with Joseph, to the 400 years in Egypt. The former was raised in the humble environment of a nomadic family and was raised up to the “second in command” to the Pharaoh. The latter, Moses, was raised up in the opulence and wealth of the reigning Pharaoh’s household, only to turn his back on it. Not only did he shun his upbringing, but he disavowed it altogether, he refused to be identified with that whole life, as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Others talk about putting principle above personal benefit, but Moses actually did it.

We first see this disaffection in the story when Moses, “… went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.” (Ex 2:11). From the time he was first adopted as an infant by Pharaoh’s daughter, he identified with the people of his birth, the descendants of Abraham. They were “his brethren”; he never forgot who he really was. Though the Egyptians despised shepherds (which had been the primary occupation of the Jews) and treated them as slaves, like Jesus, Moses was “… not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb 2:11) and was willing “… to be made like His brethren in all things” (Heb 2:17). And as “… God is not ashamed to be called their God” (Heb 11:16), Moses eventually was not ashamed to be called their leader and prophet.

So Moses became our example of those who faithfully refuse the pleasures of this world for something far greater, namely, to walk with God.

Lord, I choose again today to turn my back on worldliness and follow You.