V. 26— Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. God had promised that Abraham should be the progenitor of the Savior of the world, and had given him the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which Abraham had exercised in the promise, and it was also the token of the covenant. We do not read of Moses having been circumcised, but there can be no doubt that, in obedience to the commandment, he had been circumcised on the eighth day. Hence he bore in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus, the token of the covenant with Abraham. No doubt this was a reproach in the opinion of the Egyptians. In the state in which Israel then was it was a mark of degradation and slavery; but Moses preferred the reproach of Christ to all the treasures of Egypt, which were at his command, but which he was aware must be forfeited by his casting in his lot with Israel But he had respect to the recompense of the reward of enjoying the blessing of Abraham and sharing with him in the glories of the resurrection, which were included in the promise of being his God. Matthew 22:32. Whether Moses had received an intimation that God by his means would deliver Israel, we are not informed. But, either he had received such an intimation, or had formed the design of attempting it, and had confidence in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would prove successful. Stephen tells us that he supposed his brethren would have understood that God by his hand would deliver them. Acts 7:25. Had the Lord accomplished his desire, had he with all the advantage of his station succeeded in delivering Israel, his success might have been ascribed to his personal rank and influence; but he was stripped of all his glory, reduced to the situation of a shepherd; and when he received his commission, pleaded his unfitness to engage in the service, and only undertook it by the express commandment of God. We see the same thing in Gideon’ s victory over the Midianites. He had collected a numerous army, though far inferior to the enemy; but it was diminished to a third of its number by a proclamation, that as many as chose might withdraw. Still it was too numerous. It was further reduced to 300 men, and then obtained a decisive victory over the enemy, when their own strength was gone, Deuteronomy 32:36; and they were strong only in the Lord and in the power of his might.