We do not read very much in our chapter about the forty years which Moses spent in Pharaoh’s court. If any man decided on his own to write this story, he would have told us a great deal about how well Moses learned his lessons, and what a clever boy he was. But we are reading God’s Word, not man’s. The Bible is God’s Word, and it does not exalt or flatter man. The only Man whom God delights to honor is Christ, His beloved Son. All other men are sinners, with sinful, fallen natures, and God has declared “that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:2929That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29)).
God’s Honor or the World’s Honor
In the seventh chapter of the Acts, however, we are told that “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds” (Acts 7:2222And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. (Acts 7:22)). God added these details here only to show us what Moses really gave up when he took his place along with the rejected people of God. Sometimes we don’t like to give things up for Christ, do we? We don’t like the world to call us foolish, and so we use the ability which God has given us to exalt ourselves. Men will praise us for doing that. But Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God (Hebrews 11:24-2524By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Hebrews 11:24‑25)). A foolish choice in the eyes of the world, but a wise one — a very wise one — in the eyes of God. How is it with you? Do not strive to be at the top in school or anywhere. Do your work well, and to God’s glory, but when you are asked to do something which you know is displeasing to the Lord, refuse, no matter what it costs. God will take care of you and honor you, even if others laugh. You have to choose, as Moses did, whether you want the world’s honor or God’s. May you and I always seek the honor and glory of the Lord in all things.
God’s Way to Work
One day Moses went out from Pharaoh’s court and saw an Egyptian hitting a Hebrew — one of God’s people — and so he looked both ways to see if anyone was watching. When he could not see anyone, he killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. His intentions were good, and he loved the people of God; but he went about things in a wrong way. We are often like this, especially when we are young. I don’t mean that we go as far as to kill someone, but we try to set things right in our own way. Let us remember that we cannot set the world right, and if we try, we will get into trouble just as Moses did. There is a lot that we can do, but let’s do it in obedience to God’s Word, and not in our own way. One day I was standing at the door of a large building when a young lady came along on her way out. She pulled very strenuously in an unsuccessful attempt to open the door, and then found out that the door opened with a push — and not a pull. Someone standing by said, “We can put a great deal of effort in the wrong direction, can’t we?” We delight to see real energy in serving the Lord, but let us be sure that we are doing things which are according to His Word, and not just what we think is right. “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:1717And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:17)).
Further Meditation
1. How do we know that Moses refused the world’s glory?
2. Can you think of men of faith who received man’s honor without trying to look for it?
3. The Child of God: His Path and Glory by H. F. Witherby is a wonderful little book that encourages us to focus on God’s glory now and on the future in heaven.