Commentators have been troubled by this New Testament statement about Moses: “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger” (Hebrews 11:27). The original Old Testament story says that when it became known that Moses had killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, “Moses was afraid and…fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian” (Exodus 2:14-15). It is possible that the punctuation in Hebrews 11:27 could be changed so that the verse reads, “By faith he left Egypt; not fearing the king’s anger, he persevered because he saw him who is invisible,” although most translators and commentators think that is unlikely.

It is helpful to remember that the story in Hebrews is greatly condensed. It is therefore quite possible that this verse refers to Moses’ second departure from Egypt, when he led the Hebrew slaves to freedom. This was when Moses repeatedly stared down Pharaoh’s anger (Exodus 5-12). This was when he persevered. And this was after he had encountered the invisible God at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4). The point of the story is the contrast between two competing rulers. Everyone could see Pharaoh’s army, wealth, and power. But only those who have faith, only those who have “seen” the invisible God, know that He is far more powerful than Pharaoh or any other earthly ruler. Only those with faith can dare to defy earthly kings and governments and serve the only true King.