“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,” Hebrews 11:25.
A WONDERFUL CHOICE
In verse 24, we have the beginning of the explanation for the decisions and choices made by Moses.
We are told of his ‘refusal’ of the privileges of royalty and in our text for today, verse 25, we have what it is he chose RATHER than life as a member of the Egyptian royal family.
I. WHAT IT IS HE CHOSE.
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction.”
1. To do right in this world will bring affliction. “The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth,” Ps 37:12. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” 2 Timothy 3:12. “In the world ye shall have tribulation,” John 16:33.
2. This oft-repeated truth of God tells us what the child of God will face here on earth! The Lord have us forewarned.
3. No matter what the cost, we must come out and own the Saviour. Joseph of Arimathaea, Nicodemus, John 19:38-39. Rom 10:9, John 12:42. Devils believe - James 2:19 but mere ‘head knowledge’!
II. WHO IT IS HE IDENTIFIED WITH.
“The people of God.” Despite their poor standing in the eyes of the world, they are the most noble, high-born, royal people on the earth.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light,” 1 Peter 2:9.
III. THE REASONING BEHIND HIS ACTION.
“. . . than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” He recognised the limits of the pleasures of sin! There are very few who realise this truth.
1. So powerful is the deceitfulness of sin. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,” Hebrews 3:13. Here is what sin does. The word ‘hardened’ means to ‘make obstinate, stubborn.’
What pleasure did Judas get from his 30 pieces of silver? None, indeed he threw them away in the end. He never got to spend them though for a time they appeared to offer more pleasure than all the mercies and love that the Saviour could give!
How deceived he was!
2. How blind are sinners. ‘The deceitfulness of sin’ is clearly seen everyday in many, many ways! The wretchedness endured by mankind, which is impossible to quantify, is but the true face of the sin!
3. The sinner sells the joys of eternal bliss for the short-lived and hurtful pleasure of sin. Every day we make evaluations, if it is only which item of our lunch we will eat first! Yet without the Lord’s overruling grace we will all make the wrong and unhappy choice — SIN! We would turn our back upon the glory of heaven for the misery of hell. What about you today?