Hebrews 11:23–31

Verse 23. By faith Moses.… was hid three months, and so forth It is not improbable what Josephus relates, (l. ii. Antiq. chapter 5) that the parents of Moses, by revelation from God, or by some extraordinary marks, were persuaded that he should deliver the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt, and conduct them into the land of promise. Witham.

Verse 24–26. By faith Moses … chose rather to be afflicted with the people of God, than to be honoured as the son of Pharao’s daughter, and to enjoy short sinful pleasures in the court of the king.—Esteeming the reproach of Christ: by which seems to be signified, that Moses, to whom Christ and his sufferings were revealed, chose rather to endure such reproaches and contradictions from his brethren, the Israelites, as Christ was to suffer from the Jews, than to have all the short pleasures of what is called a happy life. See Saint John Chrysostom hom. xxvi.—For he looked unto the reward; not any temporal reward or advantage in this life, but a reward from God in heaven, or rather where God himself would be his reward. Witham.

Verse 24–26. By faith Moses … chose rather to be afflicted with the people of God, than to be honoured as the son of Pharao’s daughter, and to enjoy short sinful pleasures in the court of the king.—Esteeming the reproach of Christ: by which seems to be signified, that Moses, to whom Christ and his sufferings were revealed, chose rather to endure such reproaches and contradictions from his brethren, the Israelites, as Christ was to suffer from the Jews, than to have all the short pleasures of what is called a happy life. See Saint John Chrysostom hom. xxvi.—For he looked unto the reward; not any temporal reward or advantage in this life, but a reward from God in heaven, or rather where God himself would be his reward. Witham.

Verse 24–26. By faith Moses … chose rather to be afflicted with the people of God, than to be honoured as the son of Pharao’s daughter, and to enjoy short sinful pleasures in the court of the king.—Esteeming the reproach of Christ: by which seems to be signified, that Moses, to whom Christ and his sufferings were revealed, chose rather to endure such reproaches and contradictions from his brethren, the Israelites, as Christ was to suffer from the Jews, than to have all the short pleasures of what is called a happy life. See Saint John Chrysostom hom. xxvi.—For he looked unto the reward; not any temporal reward or advantage in this life, but a reward from God in heaven, or rather where God himself would be his reward. Witham.

Verse 27. He left Egypt. Some understand this, when he fled to Madian, after he killed the Egyptian; but it was rather fear than faith which made him flee at that time. We may rather expound it of his going away with all the people, when by faith he trusted that God would deliver him and the people from the known fierceness of king Pharao, as it also happened.—For he endured, as seeing him that is invisible. [9] That is, seeing by the eyes of faith the invisible God to be his protector, he endured and overcame all difficulties with courage and constancy. Witham.

Verse 30. The following examples are clear enough, if we look into the history and particular actions of those here named. It was a faith in God’s mercies and promises that gave them courage, resolution, and perseverance amidst all dangers and difficulties, against all afflictions and persecutions, that made them despise the short happiness of this mortal life, in hopes of an immortal happiness hereafter. Yet they who are so much commended and approved for their faith, received not the great promise of entering into the kingdom of heaven; and they who lived and died well, were indeed in a place of rest, but their souls were not admitted to the beatifical vision, to see and enjoy God in heaven, till our blessed Saviour, at his glorious ascension, entered first, and opened as it were heaven’s gates for others to enter. In this God provided something better for us, who, after his coming, if we die without sin, and without any temporal punishments due to sin, our souls are presently happy with God in heaven. Witham.