FAITH AND FIDELITY OF MOSES.
Moses, a servant and messenger of God, was also found faithful, vigorous, living and active in his faith. He was called of the Lord, that he should lead Israel out of Egypt. He did not exalt himself to the high station of a prince, but humbled himself before God with all his heart, and said, Send, Lord, whom thou wilt, but what am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and lead forth Israel? Besides, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant, but am of a slow tongue. He refused so long, that the Lord was angry. With fear and trembling, he at last took upon himself the commanded duty, and surrendered himself to his God, in whom he trusted.
He went willingly before the fierce Pharaoh, and showed great wonders and power before him and all his servants. He ransomed the people, through the out-stretched arm and strong hand of God. He divided the Red Sea and passed with Israel, unharmed, through the deep, Exod. 14:21, 22. He received the tables of stone on which were written the commandments of the Lord. He caused bread to rain from heaven, and water to flow from the flinty rock. He prepared the tents and the ark of the testimony, as he was directed upon the mountains. He ordained the figurative priesthood, with all the duties, offerings, sanctifications, apparel, &c., according to the command of the Lord.
He went with the people, pitched the tents, and took them up again at the command of the Lord. He gave them the commands and statutes of the Lord. He stood as a faithful mediator between God and the people, when they had sinned, and he turned the wrath from Israel. He punished idolaters, whoremongers and the rebellious. He slew Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. The Lord was with him in all his ways.
By faith, says Paul, "He 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 treasure in Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward; by faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first born should touch them," Heb. 11:24-28.
Kind reader, respect the word of the Lord, for when we look spiritually upon such holy examples and contrast them with the insupportable pride, haughtiness, avarice, idolatry, disobedience and unfaithfulness of the prince of the world, and with the blind, mad unbelief of the common people, then we must acknowledge that they are far from the obedience and active faith of Moses. Yea, they are unbelieving heathens, and not Christians.
Moses believed his God and acted rightly in all his transactions. He was kind, and solicitous for the welfare of the people under his care, as he was commanded. He was the meekest of men; served neither for gift nor reward, but obeyed the voice and word of the Lord; was faithful in all his house, and faithfully prosecuted his duties in the fear of the Lord. He faithfully commanded out of the mouth of God, and in upright love, faithfully admonished the people, that they and their descendants, from generation to generation, should hear and be obedient to the voice of the Lord God of their fathers, and should follow no other customs, commandments, righteousness or worship, than that which he had taught or commanded them, till the new prophet, the teacher of righteousness, the blessed seed of Abraham, Christ Jesus, should come.
But if we would go to our rulers, princes, lords, bishops, priests, monks and preachers, and all those who boast of the name and faith of Christ; if we would rightly measure their faith and obedience with the word of the Lord, which is the true standard, and should find some who sincerely seek Christ from the heart, fear, love, believe and trust him; who teach and practice rightly the ordinances, commands, sacraments and true worship of God; who conform their whole lives both inwardly and outwardly, according to the word and example of the Lord; and who, in love, execute the service which is enjoined on them, as this faithful Moses has done in all his transactions, I fear they are so few that we sbould have to go far and search long to find them, and if there are still some, they must be, alas, given as a prey to the blood-thirsty, and bear the cross of the Lord.
I testify to you the truth in Christ, and lie not. All who hear not the voice of Christ, believe not his holy word, follow not his pure unblamable life, from the whole heart, in all humility, patience, meekness, obedience and love; have not the working and living faith of Moses, but are, after the contents of his doctrines, already judged. O, reader, beware! neither money, name, nor boasting will avail you, but power and deeds, if you wish to be saved, and not be condemned.