Defying Pharaoh (Hebrews 11:23)

 

Amram married his father’s sister, Aunt Jochebed (Ex.6:20; Num.26:59), which would soon be forbidden under Moses’ law.

  1. We are obliged to disobey ungodly laws.
    • see Ex.1:15-2:2. Normally, we are to obey the civil rulers, whether they are Christian or not, and cut them some slack. But they exceed their God-given authority when they go against the clear teaching of Scripture. For example, Tasmania wants to pass laws which forbid prayer or counselling on issues of sexuality or gender. The response to that is obvious – Acts 4:19.
    • California is pressing for laws allowing infanticide. Hilario to his pregnant wife: ‘If you chance to bear a child and it is a boy, let it be; if it is a girl, expose it’. Robert Bruce: ‘I would rather forfeit my earthly inheritance, than lose my heavenly and eternal inheritance.’ The divine Law-giver has the last say.
  2. Life is God’s good gift.
    • 11:23. Stephen says in his speech that Moses was ‘beautiful to God’ – Acts 7:20.
  3. Faith casts out the fear of man.
    • Ex.2:2-4. Calvin sees a weakening of faith in their doing this, but that seems unwarranted. Things to fear include death (Heb.2:15); falling away (Heb.4:1); and God Himself (Heb.10:31). One fear must overcome another. See Heb.13:6.