By faith Moses, etc. - See the notes on Exodus 2:2, and Acts 7:20 (note). We know that Moses was bred up at the Egyptian court, and there was considered to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter; and probably might have succeeded to the throne of Egypt: but, finding that God had visited his people, and given them a promise of spiritual and eternal blessings, he chose rather to take the lot of this people, i.e. God as his portion for ever, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, which, however gratifying to the animal senses, could only be προσκαιρον, temporary.

After the 23d verse, there is a whole clause added by DE, two copies of the Itala, and some copies of the Vulgate. The clause is the following: Πιστει μεγας γενομενος Μωΰσης ανειλεν τον Αιγυπτιον, κατανοων την ταπεινωσιν των αδελφων αὑτου. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, slew the Egyptian, considering the oppression of his own brethren. This is a remarkable addition, and one of the largest in the whole New Testament. It seems to have been collected from the history of Moses as given in Exodus, and to have been put originally into the margin of some MS., from which it afterwards crept into the text.

Choosing.

Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions;

Job 36:21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this have you chosen rather than affliction.

Psalm 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God...

Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...

Matthew 13:21 Yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution rises because of the word...

Acts 7:24,25 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian...

Acts 20:23,24 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me...

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;

Romans 8:17,18,35-39 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him...

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake...

2 Thessalonians 1:3-6 We are bound to thank God always for you, brothers, as it is meet, because that your faith grows exceedingly...

2 Timothy 1:8 Be not you therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner...

2 Timothy 2:3-10 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ...

2 Timothy 3:11,12 Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured...

James 1:20 For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 1:6,7 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations...

1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you...

the people.

Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.

Psalm 47:9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong to God...

1 Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

the pleasures.

Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

Job 21:11-13 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance...

Psalm 73:18-20 Surely you did set them in slippery places: you cast them down into destruction...

Isaiah 21:4 My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure has he turned into fear to me.

Isaiah 47:8,9 Therefore hear now this, you that are given to pleasures, that dwell carelessly, that say in your heart, I am, and none else beside me...

Luke 12:19,20 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry...

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things...

James 5:5 You have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; you have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

Revelation 18:7 How much she has glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she said in her heart...

January the First the Unknown Journey
"He went out not knowing whither he went." --HEBREWS xi. 6-10. Abram began his journey without any knowledge of his ultimate destination. He obeyed a noble impulse without any discernment of its consequences. He took "one step," and he did not "ask to see the distant scene." And that is faith, to do God's will here and now, quietly leaving the results to Him. Faith is not concerned with the entire chain; its devoted attention is fixed upon the immediate link. Faith is not knowledge of a moral …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Call of Abraham
I. First, let us LOOK AT ABRAHAM. Abraham's family was originally an idolatrous one; afterwards some beams of light shone in upon the household, and they became worshippers of the true God; but there was much ignorance mingled with their worship, and at least occasionally their old idolatrous habits returned. The Lord who had always fixed on Abraham to be his chosen servant and the father of his chosen people upon earth, made Abraham leave the society of his friends and relatives, and go out of Ur …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Go Back? Never!
"And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly...city."--Hebrews 11:15, 16. ABRAHAM left his country at God's command, and he never went back again. The proof of faith lies in perseverance. There is a sort of faith which doth run well for a while, but it is soon ended, and it doth not obey the truth. The Apostle tells us, however, that the people of God were …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915