What Will Faith Cost You? – Hebrews 11:23-31
Dec 4, 2025 250
[23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. [24] By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [25] choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. [26] He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. [27] By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. [28] By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
[29] By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. [30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. [31] By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. (ESV)
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Not Fearing the King
Moses’ story begins with his parents’ faith. Verse 23 says, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. Moses’ parents defied that edict. They weren’t afraid of the king because they feared God more.
A Costly Choice
When Moses grew up, he faced a choice. Look at verses 24-26:
“[24] By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [25] choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. [26] He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Moses could have had everything Egypt offered – wealth, power, prestige. Instead, he chose reproach with God’s oppressed people.
Why? Because he was looking to the reward. He saw something, or actually Someone, better than Egypt’s treasures. He endured “as seeing him who is invisible” (v. 27).
Faith in Action
Moses’ faith wasn’t just a decision – it shaped everything that followed. By faith, he kept the Passover (v. 28). By faith, the Israelites passed through the Red Sea (v. 29). By faith, the walls of Jericho fell (v. 30).
And then there’s Rahab. A Gentile prostitute who welcomed the Israelite spies and “did not perish with those who were disobedient” (v. 31). Her faith was risky. If she’d been caught, she would have been executed. But she trusted God’s promises more than her own safety.
The Good News Is…
The good news is that Moses chose to bear “the reproach of Christ” (v. 26). Incredibly, this was long before Christ had come! And yet, the writer to the Hebrews describes Moses’ faith as ultimately looking forward to Christ, before Moses even had a clear picture of who the Christ would be! Moses looked ahead to a reward he couldn’t yet see.
Remarkably, we are in a more privileged position than Moses. We look back to a cross where Jesus bore the ultimate reproach for us. He was executed “outside the gate” (13:12), bearing the shame that should have been ours.
Through his death and resurrection, Jesus has secured the reward Moses longed for. The treasures of Egypt fade. The reproach of Christ leads to glory.
Faith is costly. But the reward is infinitely more valuable.
Reflection
What is faith costing you right now? What might it cost you in the future?
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