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. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Comment: We see here the parents’ faith in going against the Egyptian orders. All babies are beautiful to their parents but something about Moses made them go to extraordinary lengths to see that he lived.
What does ‘the reproach of Christ’ mean? This passage written after the coming of the Messiah is able to read into Moses’ desire to see his people free, the protection of the promised line. Promised to Abraham but only fulfilled when the Messiah came. Then as key parts of his walk of faith the author highlights Moses facing the anger of Pharaoh, the Passover over of the Angel of death, facing the Red Sea obstacle. And entering the promised land we have the walls of Jericho falling down in a miraculous way.
Rahab, an alien, is mentioned in this ‘Faith hall of Fame’ because, against all her national and cultural instincts, she protected the spies who went out into her land – an example of practical faith.
Prayer: Thank you for these peoples who have given us such great examples.
As I read it! 