It is a lesson that one learns early in life— decisions are costly!
One who chooses unwisely and incorrectly will likely pay dearly for his
foolish decision, and the one who decides to stand firm for what is godly
and right may also pay a high price for such a decision. Since a price
is involved whether right or wrong, one may elect to play it safe and make
no decision. This person does not understand that failing or refusing to
make a decision is a decision. Such can have disastrous consequences regarding
spiritual matters. The Lord made it very clear: "He that is not with me
is against me" (Mat. 12:30). This means that every time one fails to make
a decision for God he has just made a decision against God. Let us consider
what it cost Moses to make the monumental decision to serve God and his
people and flee the land of Egypt. Moses refuses to be called the son of
the Pharaoh's daughter (Heb. 11:24). It is difficult to imagine what it
cost Moses materially to turn his back on the Pharaoh and his family. The
earthly riches that would have belonged to Moses had he remained in Egypt
as a son of the Pharaoh's daughter cannot be adequately described. Robert
Boyd in World's Bible Handbook states:
When archaeologists opened the tomb of Tutankhamen (King "Tut" to
us) in 1922, their eyes gazed upon an untold wealth of personal belongings
for his future life. His solid gold coffin has a current value of $2,750,000.
The jewelry is priceless and his throne and furniture were overlaid with
gold. Such "burial" wealth gives us an idea of the personal wealth of a
single Pharaoh. Moses decides to give up the social status that he will
enjoy in Egypt. As the son of an Egyptian princess, Moses received an education
that was second to none. He was qualified to serve in any facet of Egyptian
government, and could have become a Pharaoh himself. No other nation surpassed
Egypt with knowledge in science, law, and architecture (cf. Acts 7:22).
This wisdom was not
restricted to just pyramids and temples as Boyd again notes: Scientists
have discovered how Egyptian craftsmen produced brilliant colors—paintings
for their Temple walls and ceilings. We are fortunate if we can find paint
produced by today's technologists which lasts more than twenty years on
our houses! Yes, Egyptian
paint has lasted more than 3,500 years. The blues and reds and yellows
of ancient Egypt, whether on stone or metal, have remained vivid. Scientists
(1970) of the Egyptian Department of Antiquity, worked over three years
and spent more than two million dollars to "break the historic formula."
The formula includes one molecule each of copper oxide and four molecules
of silicone oxide. The resulting compound is heated to 1,050 degrees centigrade,
and then ground and mixed with egg yolk and gum. This compound resists
heat as high as 1,700 degrees C. and is insoluble in the most potent acids
known to modern science. The ancients obtained the stable color by trapping
copper oxide atoms in a ring of hydrogen, produced by the ions of the egg
yoke and acid from the gum. Moses decides to identify with godly people
instead of ungodly people. A person cannot have it both ways. Moses, in
reminding his people of God's laws, says, "See, I have set before thee
this day
life and good, and death and evil" (Deu. 30:15). Christ teaches
that people must choose to travel either
the broad way that leads to destruction or the straitened way that
leads to eternal life (Mat. 7:13-14). People today must understand that
they cannot successfully walk with God while holding hands with the world
(cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-18). Joshua is another man who realizes that costly decisions
must be made. To his friends and his people he says, "And if it seem evil
unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether
the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods
of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we
will serve Jehovah" (Jos. 24:15). Moses decides to forego the temporary
pleasures of sin and chooses instead to "share ill treatment with the people
of God" (Heb. 11:24-25). Moses knew the outcome of his decision when he
made it. The Scriptures say that he accounts "the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures of Egypt" (Heb. 11:26). Moses knew that faithfully
serving God would produce a life of suffering and hardship. The high price
of this decision Moses made is seen in what he was willing to
forego and what he was willing to endure. Moses decides to go to
Heaven and is willing to pay the price. He understands that sin's glitter
is not as advertised by Satan. He understands "the wages of sin is death"
(Rom. 6:23). Moses looks "unto the recompense of reward" (Heb. 11:26).
So should we! Keep your mind on firmly focused on things above (Col. 3:2),
and remember that decisions are costly.
Marvin L. Weir, Paris, TX