Moses
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Egypt, and he was generally regarded as a remarkable character. Satan
had been defeated in his purpose. The very decree condemning the
Hebrew children to death had been overruled by God for the training
and education of the future leader of His people.
The elders of Israel were taught by angels that the time for their
deliverance was near, and that Moses was the man whom God would
employ to accomplish this work. Angels instructed Moses also that
Jehovah had chosen him to break the bondage of His people. He,
supposing that they were to obtain their freedom by force of arms,
expected to lead the Hebrew host against the armies of Egypt, and
having this in view, he guarded his affections, lest in his attachment to
his foster mother or to Pharaoh he would not be free to do the will of
God.
By the laws of Egypt all who occupied the throne of the Pharaohs
must become members of the priestly caste; and Moses, as the heir
apparent, was to be initiated into the mysteries of the national religion.
This duty was committed to the priests. But while he was an ardent
and untiring student, he could not be induced to participate in the
worship of the gods. He was threatened with the loss of the crown, and
warned that he would be disowned by the princess should he persist
in his adherence to the Hebrew faith. But he was unshaken in his
determination to render homage to none save the one God, the Maker
of heaven and earth. He reasoned with priests and worshipers, showing
the folly of their superstitious veneration of senseless objects. None
could refute his arguments or change his purpose, yet for the time his
firmness was tolerated on account of his high position and the favor
with which he was regarded by both the king and the people.
“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;
esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in
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Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”
Hebrews
11:24-26
. Moses was fitted to take pre-eminence among the great of
the earth, to shine in the courts of its most glorious kingdom, and to
sway the scepter of its power. His intellectual greatness distinguishes
him above the great men of all ages. As historian, poet, philosopher,
general of armies, and legislator, he stands without a peer. Yet with
the world before him, he had the moral strength to refuse the flattering