40 Days of Faith: Day 24

Hebrews 11:23 – By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

Throughout history, Christian people have been marked by seeking justice. One of the ways the Roman Empire was won to the Christian faith is how Christians demonstrated just, quiet living before their neighbors.

This quiet living made Christian people stand out radically in Roman society. They cared for the poor and sick, even during plagues, rescued abandoned babies left to die (a legal but brutal Roman practice). Further, followers of Jesus rejected violence and sexual exploitation, which were common and even celebrated in Roman culture. Christians also called slaves and masters brothers in Christ (Philemon 16). Look at this note about Christians from the second century, in Letter to Diognetus:
“They love all men and are persecuted by all… They repay curses with blessings.”

In a society built on power, hierarchy, and domination, Christian communities shocked Rome by giving dignity to women, slaves, and the poor. Many were given leadership roles. Through the ethic of Christ, enemies were forgiven, offenders restored, and justice was redefined as humility, mercy, and reconciliation.

The call of Christ is a call to loyalty to him over loyalty to governing authorities. From this, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would take his stand of non-violent protest. King argued and modeled an obligation to disobey unjust laws which are not in harmony with moral law. Dietrich Bonhoeffer did the same in his protest of Nazi Germany and their unjust slaughter of the Jews.

In Acts 4:19-22, when Peter and John stand up to the council telling them to no longer preach Jesus, we see these words:
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

As the writer of Hebrews introduces us to Moses, he notes the bold, quiet faith of his parents. I would imagine, like any parent, they were devastated when they learned of the call to put all infant boys into the Nile River, that they might die. But unwilling to do such an immoral act to their son, they instead, devised a plan.

If you recall the story, Moses’ mother built a basket of reeds in which to place the baby. The child was placed in the basket, and the basket was placed in the water, strategically located in the exact place where Pharoah’s daughter would go and bathe. At seeing the child, Pharaoh’s daughter was moved, and she chose to take baby Moses into her own household.

In an anticipated move, Moses’ sister, Miriam, was right there on the scene and quickly suggested that a Hebrew nurse be able to take care of and nurse the child until he was weaned. This Hebrew nurse was Moses’ mother.

In giving Moses up, God gave Moses back to his mother, if but for a time. They took this stand because they feared God more than they feared the king. It was this courageous act of civil disobedience that would ultimately prepare Moses to stand before Pharaoh to demand that he let the Hebrew people go.

Are there people in your life that need you to take a stand for them? Micah 6:8 states:
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

Prayer:
Righteous Father, thank You for the example of those who have taken bold and faithful stands for justice throughout history. Thank You for the courage of Moses’ parents, who feared You more than Pharaoh. Lord, give me that same courage today. Open my eyes to those around me who need someone to speak up for them. Teach me to value Your approval above the world’s applause, and to live with quiet conviction that points others to Your justice and mercy. May my life be a testimony that You are my God, and I trust You fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.