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Christ’s First Advent Prefigured, January 16
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the
son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with
the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
Hebrews 11:24, 25
.
While he was sitting under the very shadow of the throne, the Spirit
of the Lord stirred his heart to lift the crushing weight that was pressing
his brethren into the lowest degradation and slavery. His heart ached with
sorrow, as if he himself were in slavery, laboring in the brick kiln, and
sharing their degradation. They were slaves, suffering under the cruel lash.
They were a reproach and a hissing to all the Egyptians, from Pharaoh
down to the lowest serf.
But the Lord had singled out Moses as the one to deliver the oppressed
race, and by forty years of exile, under the discipline of God, he was
prepared for the work. Understanding the evil disposition of his own
countrymen, knowing how many would be perverse and unreasonable,
understanding that they might betray him, he was yet considering ways and
means to accomplish their deliverance, though supposing that he himself
had forfeited all right to be the instrument. But God, in the bush which
though burning was yet unconsumed by the fire, presented Himself, and
selected Moses as His agent....
Moses was accepted as a co-worker with God. He knew that scorn,
hatred, persecution, and maybe death would be his portion if he should
act any part in espousing the cause of the Hebrew captives.... He had
stood in great popularity as the general of Pharaoh’s armies, and he knew
that now his name would be bandied round and falsified, but he esteemed
“the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt” (
He-
brews 11:26
). He laid down the prospect of a kingly crown, and took up
the burdens of his oppressed and afflicted people
Moses was chosen of God to break the yoke of bondage upon the
children of Israel, and ... in his work he prefigured Christ’s first advent to
break Satan’s power over the human family and deliver those who were
made captives by his power
[23]
33
Letter 116, 1896
.
34
Testimonies for the Church 1:291
.
19