Hebrews 11:23 "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; ..." (KJV)

By faith the parents saw that Moses was a proper ("no ordinary" NIV, "beautiful" NKJV) child. Certainly in the sense of being beautiful and sturdy and healthy in body - but it also implies that the child had the appearance of special promise. This the parents believed. It could have been that the Lord gave them specific revelation about their child. Josephus in his Antiquities, suggests this. It is clear however, that their action was a co-operative step of faith with God who they believed was able to protect and fulfill His own purposes for the child. They operated in faith, not fear.

Hebrews 11:23 "... and they were not afraid of the king's commandment." (KJV)

Fear can have negative effects, like paralysing mental and physical activity, or motivating self preservation no matter what the cost - even subservient compliance with what is known to be wrong. Faith in God and His promises was displayed by Amram and Jochebed in that they were not afraid of the king or his edict. So by faith they were motivated, strengthened in resolve, and active in doing God's will and purpose. God worked with them, as He always does with those who operate in faith (Exodus 1:22 - 2:1-10 ).

Hebrews 11:24 "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;" (KJV)

Pharaoh's daughter providentially had in compassion taken baby Moses as her own. His own mother was employed to become Moses nurse - and his choice in manhood, of renunciation of privileged ties to Pharaoh's daughter, is a tribute to her influence and teaching. No doubt both Amram and Jochebed played a joint role in the moulding of Moses' faith. When the time for decision arrived Moses did not forget his father's instruction nor forsake his mother's teaching (Proverbs 1:8 NIV). His choice was costly. By it he renounced privilege, rank, great prospects (Acts 7:22 ), without any regrets that natural sight would suggest to him, such as identification with an oppressed people. He did so because he could see by faith the eternal realities rather than the impermanent and temporal order:

2 Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (KJV)

The same choices confront us today: to be committed to godly principles with all that it costs - or abandon God's standards, for self-advancement, sinful pleasures, for selfish indulgence, for wealth acquired sinfully (James 5:1-6 ).

Hebrews 11:26 "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." (NKJV)

There is no doubt that Moses received revelation from God, just as did the preceding Patriarchs. He did enjoy a Messianic knowledge, though not the full New Testament revelation, probably more intimate and personal than we can appreciate. Don't depreciate the revelation knowledge of Old Testament saints, because our proclamation must be according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ).

The implication the reproach of Christ has for us is actual participation in Christ's own reproach (2 Corinthians 1:5 ), and His suffering in our reproach (Colossians 1:24 ). It must have been reassuring to the first readers of this Epistle, as it is to us, that Moses by faith embraced the reproaches of Christ; looking away to the hope to be realised in Christ, that far exceeds anything the kingdoms of this world can offer.