Yesterday at church, the speaker made a small point, almost as a side note, and it caught my attention. I’ve been meditating on it since and I wanted to share:
In Hebrews 11, Moses is acknowledged as a man of faith. Verses 24-26 say “By faith Moses, when he had grown up. Refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”
The preacher was making the point that following God and living a life of faith will come with risk. Moses chose to be counted with the people of God. He chose mistreatment over the fleeting pleasures of sin. He put everything on a scale and found Christ to be better. That’s a theme throughout the whole book of Hebrews. Nothing Egypt or Pharaoh or position on the palace could compare to what Moses gained by choosing Christ. To live a life of faith.
Then verse 27. This is what caught my attention: “By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who was invisible.” Moses left Egypt because “he saw him who was invisible”? Not because he had just murdered a man and was running for his life?
The original account can be found in Exodus 2. I’d encourage you to read the whole chapter but specifically verses 11-15 speak to this scene. The Bible says that Moses was afraid because he knew his sin was public. He knew that the king would hold him accountable. But then it says the king tried to kill him but he fled to Midian. Without the passage in Hebrews, we might assume (as I did) that he fled because the king was trying to kill him. Leaving Egypt to save his life.
That’s not what Hebrews 11 says though. It seems natural to assume that he was worried and scared and anxious. But Hebrews clearly teaches that those emotions did not dictate his actions. His faith in God did. He followed God’s calling to lead him out of Egypt.
So here’s where my mind started to swirl. From my perspective, it would have been a better plan to keep Moses in the palace. Wouldn’t Moses have been able to use his influence and make sweeping, generational changes from a position of power inside the palace? He was the grandson of the king and he would one day be the brother of the king. Wouldn’t a good place to start change in Egypt be inside the palace, the place of political and religious power? Apparently, God had a different plan.
Leaving, whether that be a relationship or a job or even a church is not something that should be done lightly. We should not be people that walk out of hard situations just because they are hard. We shouldn’t make choices based on emotion or level of difficulty or feeling or personal preferences. We should approach any decision to leave with prayer and biblical truth and counseling and a clear calling from God. I can think of situations in my life that God clearly called me to stay. Like Ruth being called to stay with Naomi. Or Esther being called to stay and fight for the salvation of the Jews. To keep persevering and serving and learning and growing and all the beautiful and God-honoring things that happen during a trial. There are many bible passages that can encourage you to persevere with your staying. James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Galatians 6:9 says “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
I also think we shouldn’t be so quick to assume that “perseverance” means always staying. Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses persevered in his leaving. If you are in a season of begging God for wisdom in whether to stay or to leave, be encouraged. James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” We need to bring our requests before God, ready to follow his leading. He might be leading you to stay. To keep loving and serving and giving to His will in your life right now. To stay in friendship with that person and help them grow and learn and see God through you. To bring real change that honors God and brings Him glory in your workplace or your church. He might also be calling you to leave. Like Moses, leaving the position of power or influence and following him into a new journey. So keep praying and seeking Jesus. Keep asking for wisdom and getting safe and biblical counsel. Be ready to stay or to leave, always keeping your eyes of Jesus.
I close with Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Whether you persevere by staying or persevere by leaving, keep your mind fixed on Jesus and trust Him with the journey He lays before you.
Abigail Denton 