Hebrews 11:27

By faith. See on verses 1, 3.

Forsook Egypt. See Exodus 2:15. Not fearing. Noting the circumstances of Moses’ flight from Egypt to Midian at the age of 40, some have assigned his departure of verse 27 to the Exodus, at the age of 80 years.

It is true that the word translated “forsook” (kataleipo) may mean simply “to leave,” without implying more than the simple fact of departure. It is also true that Moses boldly confronted a wrathful ruler throughout the time of the plagues, and that, by itself, verse 27 might be taken as applying to the Exodus. However, in this brief synopsis of incidents in Moses’ life that reflect his faith, it seems that verses 28, 29 were intended to cover the Exodus. Repetition of the expression “by faith” in verse 27 seems to imply that the writer was considering the occasion there referred to as distinct from the other incidents in the sequence on the faith of Moses (cf. verses 23, 24, 28, 29). Compare Ed 63, 64.

From the narrative of Exodus 2:11–15 (cf. chapter 4:19) it appears that fear for his personal safety played no small part in Moses’ decision to flee the land of Egypt. Nevertheless, uppermost in his mind was the fate of his people and the role envisioned for them by the promise made to Abraham. In fact, it was his abortive attempt to initiate a series of events he hoped would lead to their liberation that made his flight necessary (see Acts 7:25). In spite of his mistake he apparently had faith that, somehow, God would still use him to accomplish their deliverance. Accordingly, he sought a temporary refuge where he might await further developments.

Even before the incident with the Egyptian taskmaster it took great faith to believe that the covenant promises would be fulfilled — circumstances being what they were.

Now that an error of judgment had banished him from Egypt altogether, Moses must have needed even greater faith to believe in their fulfillment. How could a forlorn exile in Midian whose death had been decreed by an imperial edict ever expect to liberate the slaves of the monarch who sought his life? Nothing could have seemed more impossible! Here, if ever, was opportunity for the exercise of faith!