Hebrews 11:26 - The Faith of Moses

Audio Bible

Context

The Faith of Moses
…25He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. 26 He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.…

Cross References

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 4:13-14
But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. / If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.Acts 5:41
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.Colossians 3:24
because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.1 John 3:2-3
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. / And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.Exodus 3:11-12
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”Exodus 14:11-12
They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? / Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Hebrews 10:33
Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

Hebrews 13:13
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Psalm 69:7,20
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face…

of Christ.

Psalm 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Jeremiah 9:23,24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: …

2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

for he had.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 2:2
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Hebrews 10:35
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

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Hebrews 11

He valued disgrace for Christ
This phrase highlights Moses' choice to identify with the people of God rather than enjoy the privileges of Egyptian royalty. The term "disgrace for Christ" suggests a willingness to suffer for the sake of God's promises, which is a theme echoed throughout the New Testament (e.g., Philippians 3:8). Although Moses lived long before Christ's earthly ministry, his actions prefigure the suffering servant motif found in Isaiah 53 and the New Testament understanding of sharing in Christ's sufferings (Romans 8:17). Moses' choice reflects a deep faith in God's redemptive plan, which ultimately culminates in Christ.

above the treasures of Egypt
Egypt was one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the ancient world, known for its opulence and grandeur. Moses, as a member of Pharaoh's household, had access to immense wealth and privilege. Choosing disgrace over these treasures signifies a profound act of faith and prioritization of spiritual over material wealth. This decision mirrors Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 about storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Moses' choice serves as a powerful example of faith and the eternal perspective that values spiritual inheritance over temporal gain.

for he was looking ahead to his reward
Moses' actions were motivated by a forward-looking faith, anticipating the fulfillment of God's promises. This reward is not merely earthly but eternal, aligning with the biblical theme of hope in God's future deliverance and blessing (Hebrews 10:35-36). The concept of reward is also seen in Jesus' teachings, such as in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:12), where enduring persecution for righteousness' sake is linked to great reward in heaven. Moses' faith exemplifies the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, as described in Hebrews 11:1. His life points to the ultimate reward found in Christ, who is the fulfillment of God's promises.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
A central figure in the Old Testament, Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. His life is marked by faith and obedience to God, despite facing numerous challenges and temptations.

2. Egypt
A powerful and wealthy ancient civilization where Moses was raised as a prince. Egypt symbolizes worldly wealth, power, and temptation.

3. Christ
Although Moses lived long before the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the passage refers to the Messiah, indicating Moses' faith in God's promises and the coming Redeemer.

4. Disgrace
The shame or dishonor Moses willingly accepted by rejecting his royal status in Egypt to align with the suffering people of God.

5. Reward
The eternal inheritance and fulfillment of God's promises that Moses anticipated, which outweighed any temporary earthly gain.

Teaching Points

Valuing Eternal Over Temporal
Moses' choice to suffer disgrace for Christ rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin challenges us to prioritize eternal values over temporary gains.

Faith in God's Promises
Moses' actions were driven by faith in God's promises. We are called to trust in God's future rewards, even when they are not immediately visible.

Identifying with Christ
Just as Moses identified with the people of God, we are encouraged to stand firm in our identity in Christ, even if it means facing ridicule or persecution.

Sacrificial Living
Moses' life exemplifies the call to live sacrificially for God's purposes, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from serving God rather than seeking personal comfort or wealth.

(26) The reproach of Christ.--Better, The reproach of the Christ. Many explanations have been proposed of this remarkable phrase, some of which--as "reproach for Christ," "reproach similar to that which Christ endured"--cannot possibly give the true meaning. The first point to be noted is that the words are almost exactly a quotation from one of the chief of the Messianic Psalms (Psalm 89:50-51)--"Remember, Lord, the reproach of Thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of many peoples: wherewith Thine enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of Thine Anointed." Here the writer in effect speaks of himself as bearing "the reproach of the Anointed" of the Lord; pleading in his name and identifying himself with his cause. "The Anointed" is the king who (see the Note on Hebrews 1:5) was the type of the promised Christ. Throughout the whole of their history the people of Israel were the people of the Christ. Their national existence originated in the promise to Abraham, which was a promise of the Christ; and till the fulness of time should come their mission was to prepare the way for Him. The reproach which Moses accepted by joining the people of the promise was, therefore, "the reproach of the Christ," the type of that "reproach" which in later days His people will share with Him (Hebrews 13:13). He who was to appear in the last days as the Messiah was already in the midst of Israel (John 1:10). (See Psalm 69:9; Colossians 1:24; 1Peter 1:11; and the Note on 2Corinthians 1:5. Philippians 3:7-11 furnishes a noble illustration of this whole record.) . . . Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

He valued
ἡγησάμενος (hēgēsamenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2233: (a) To lead, (b) To think, be of opinion, suppose, consider.

disgrace
ὀνειδισμὸν (oneidismon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3680: Reproach, reviling. From oneidizo; contumely.

for Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

{above} the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

treasures
θησαυρῶν (thēsaurōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2344: A store-house for precious things; hence: a treasure, a store. From tithemi; a deposit, i.e. Wealth.

of Egypt,
Αἰγύπτου (Aigyptou)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 125: Egypt. Of uncertain derivation.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

he was looking
ἀπέβλεπεν (apeblepen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 578: From apo and blepo; to look away from everything else, i.e. intently regard.

ahead
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

to [his]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

reward.
μισθαποδοσίαν (misthapodosian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3405: (lit: repayment of price or payment of price due), reward, due punishment. From misthapodotes; requital.

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Hebrews 11:26 Catholic BibleNT Letters: Hebrews 11:26 Accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches (Heb. He. Hb)