patriarchs and prophets-第61章
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the folly and sin of idolatry； and early taught him to bow down and pray to
the living God； who alone could hear him and help him in every emergency。
She kept the boy as long as she could； but was obliged to give him up when
he was about twelve years old。 From his humble cabin home he was taken to
the royal palace； to the daughter of Pharaoh； 〃and he became her son。〃 Yet
even here he did not lose the impressions received in childhood。 The lessons
learned at his mother's side could not be forgotten。 They were a shield from
the pride； the infidelity； and the vice that flourished amid the splendor of
the court。
How far…reaching in its results was the influence of that one Hebrew woman；
and she an exile and a slave！ The whole future life of Moses； the great
mission which he fulfilled as the leader of Israel； testifies to the
importance of the work of the Christian mother。 There is no other work that
can equal this。 To a very great extent the mother holds in her own hands the
destiny of her children。 She is dealing with developing minds and
characters； working not alone for time； but for eternity。 She is sowing seed
that will spring up and bear fruit； either for good or for evil。 She has not
to paint a form of beauty upon canvas or to chisel it from marble； but to
impress upon a human soul the image of the divine。 Especially during their
early years the responsibility rests upon her of forming the character of
her children。 The impressions now made upon their developing minds will
remain with them all through life。 Parents should direct the instruction and
training of their children while very young； to the end that they may be
Christians。 They are placed in our care to be trained； not as heirs to the
throne of an earthly empire； but as kings unto God； to reign through
unending ages。
Let every mother feel that her moments are priceless； her work will be
tested in the solemn day of accounts。 Then it will be found that many of the
failures and crimes of men and women have resulted from the ignorance and
neglect of those whose duty it was to guide their childish feet in the right
way。 Then it will be found that many who have blessed the world with the
light of genius and truth and holiness； owe the principles that were the
mainspring of their influence and success to a praying； Christian mother。
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At the court of Pharaoh； Moses received the highest civil and military
training。 The monarch had determined to make his adopted grandson his
successor on the throne； and the youth was educated for his high station。
〃And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians； and was mighty in
words and in deeds。〃 Acts 7：22。 His ability as a military leader made him a
favorite with the armies of 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
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than the treasures in 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
prospects of wealth and greatness and fame； 〃choosing rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God； than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season。〃
Moses had been instructed in regard to the final reward to be given to the
humble and obedient servants of God； and worldly gain sank to its proper
insignificance in comparison。 The magnificent palace of Pharaoh and the
monarch's throne were held out as an inducement to Moses； but he knew that
the sinful pleasures that make men forget God were in its lordly courts。 He
looked beyond the gorgeous palace； beyond a monarch's crown； to the high
honors that will be bestowed on the saints of the Most High in a kingdom
untainted by sin。 He saw by faith an imperishable crown that the King of
heaven would place on the brow of the overcomer。 This faith led him to turn
away from the lordly ones of earth and join the humble； poor； despised
nation that had chosen to obey God rather than to serve sin。
Moses remained at court until he was forty years of age。 His thoughts often
turned upon the abject condition of his people； and he visited his brethren
in their servitude； and encouraged them with the assurance that God would
work for their deliverance。 Often； stung to resentment by the sight of
injustice and oppression； he burned to avenge their wrongs。 One day； while
thus abroad； seeing an Egyptian smiting an Israelite； he sprang forward and
slew the Egyptian。 Except the Israelite； there had been no witness to the
deed； and Moses immediately buried the body in the sand。 He had now shown
himself ready to maintain the cause of his people； and he hoped to see them
rise to recover their liberty。 〃He supposed his brethren would have
understood how that God by his hand would deliver them； but they understood
not。〃 Acts 7：25。 They were not yet prepared for freedom。 On the following
day Moses saw two Hebrews striving together；
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one of them evidently at fault。 Moses reproved the offender； who at once
retaliated upon the reprover； denying his right to interfere； and basely
accusing him of crime： 〃Who made thee a prince and a judge over us？〃 he
said。 〃Intendest thou to kill me； as thou killedst the Egyptian？〃
The whole matter was quickly made known to the Egyptians； and； greatly
exaggerated； soon reached the ears of Pharaoh。 It was represented to the
king that this act meant much； that Moses designed to lead his people
against the Egyptians； to overthrow the government； and to seat himself upon
the throne； and that there could be no security for the kingdom while he
lived。 It was at once determined by the monarch that he should die； but；
becoming aware of his danger； he made his escape and fled toward Arabia。
The Lord directed his course； and he found a home with Jethro； the
