The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 322

Vers. 23-29.-The faith of Moses. These verses exhibit specimen deeds of faith done in connection with the redemption of Israel from Egypt. None of the heroes of faith in this illustrious roll is more eminent than Moses, and no other biography is more dramatic. He shines amongst the constellations of "the elders" as a. star of the first magnitude. Consider- I. THE FAITH OF MOSES' PARENTS DURING HIS INFANCY. (Ver. 23.) Had it not been for their piety, the child would have perished. The preservation of bis infant life was due to an act of faith in the covenant God of their fathers. On what revelation did this faith rest? It may be that Amram and Jochebed saw in the pre-emineut beauty of the chiln a forecast of the Divine favour. More probab!y, however, they had received a revelation from heaven respecting him, and had been taught to regard his beauty as a sign for the confirmation of their faith. So their confid:mce in the God of Abraham, and in the promise of deliverance from bondage, and in the testimony regarding the part which their newly born son was to act in the emancipation, led them to disregard Pharaoh's cruel edict. Jochebed was quite consciously resting the floating cradle of papyrus in the hollow of God's hand when she left it amons.: the reeds on the brink of the Nile. She believed that he would protect the child, although she herself could do so no longer. And the romantic rescue of Moses, and his adoptiou by Pharaoh's daughter, were the reward which God gave to his parents' faith. II. 'l'HE FAITH OF MOSES, AS SEEN IN HIS LIFE-CHOICE. (Vers. 2-!-26.) Being himself the only free Hebrew of his time, he occupied the unique position of having it within his power to make a. life-choice. And he diu this "when he was gr~wn up;" i.e. after his judgment had ripened, and as the result of sober an?- ma~ly del1b~rat1on. Moses elected to acknowledge Jehovah as his God, and to claim krndre~ with the Hebrews as God's peculiar people. His choice was pur~ly voluntar;r, and in _makni" it he was actuated by principle and impelled by consctcnce. Notice_: 1. H«; chu1c • involved him in tremendous sacrifices. (Ver. 24.) Moses'. prospects 111 Egypt were very brilliant. He was a man of great natural genius aud of oxtrnorclrn:ii-y att11umems  aa THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [<llI. lU. 1-4.Q,