Choosing (138) (haireomai from haireo = to take a particular position for oneself) means to make a choice of one or more possible alternatives and so to choose, select or prefer. The middle voice could be read more literally "having chosen for himself". English = ''heresy'' (an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary to the truth or to generally accepted beliefs or standards). Moses' "heresy" was a good choice! Note also that the use of the aorist tense here marks it as a single and definite act. Haireo in the active voice means to take (Secular use "and whose fruit you pick [haireo]), in the middle voice (which is the only way it is used in the NT) to choose (Josephus uses in describing Elisha the prophets who sent one of his disciples to anoint Jehu and tell him "that God had chosen him to be their king") Vine says that haireomai's "special significance is to select rather by the act of taking, than by showing preference or favor...(Moses)viewed both prospects, the voluptuous life of an Egyptian prince, and what his public recognition of his Hebrew descent involved, and he made his immediate choice." Haireomai is used 3 times in the NT... Philippians 1:22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. Hebrews 11:25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin Haireomai is used 8 times in the Deut. 26:17f; Jos. 24:15; 1 Sam. 19:1; 2 Sam. 15:15; Job 34:4; Isa. 38:17; Jer. 8:3. For example... Deuteronomy 26:18 "And the LORD has today declared (Lxx = haireomai = chosen) you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; Joshua 24:15 "And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose (Hebrew = bachar = to choose; Lxx = haireomai - a command in both Hebrew and Greek) for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Endure ill treatment with (4778) (sugkakoucheo from sun/syn = with, speaks of an intimate association + kakoucheo = to maltreat, torment, cause to suffer, this root verb used in He 11:37, He 13:3 > NB: being faithful to God does not exempt believers from suffering!) means suffer with another or to be mistreated with someone else. Share hardship with another. Note the present tense which indicates this was not a passing fad with Moses but was the way he lived, his continual practice. Once again we see how genuine faith affects one's attitudes and actions. The people of God - In context refers specifically to the chosen people (Israel), not just any group. Compare Peter's encouraging words in the face of suffering and persecution for the faith... But resist (command to stand against the devil - note that before we "stand", we must bow! Bow to Jesus so you can stand against forces of evil) him (the devil 1Pe 5:8), firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world (So like Heb 11:25 when we suffer for Christ, we do not suffer alone. cp Acts 9:1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6 - esp Acts 9:5 - Who was Paul literally persecuting? When believers are persecuted for Christ, He identifies with us, for He is in an immutable new covenant bond of oneness with every believer). And after you have suffered for a little while (if you are suffering for your faith, read that phrase again - that is God's word), the God of all grace (What a great name for God! Why do we worry so often that our grace account will go bankrupt! Perhaps because we aren't leaning on His everlasting arms but our own machinations!), who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (1Pe 5:9, 10) THAN TO ENJOY THE PASSING PLEASURES: proskairon echein (PAF) hamartias apolausin: (Job 20:5; 21:11, 12, 13; Psalms 73:18, 19, 20; Isaiah 21:4; 47:8,9; Luke 12:19,20; Luke 16:25; James 5:5; Revelation 18:7) What a person really believes is shown by what he or she does or how he or she acts. Here we see evidence of Moses belief in and appreciation for the promises of God, specifically the future and eternal reward of Jehovah to all faithful men and women. This motivated and energized him to choose for God rather than the temporary material wealth offered to him. And don't read over this too quickly, because it was not as if Moses turned down some a few grocery coupons, but quite likely an unspeakable amount of earthly wealth. Assuming that to be the case, it is obvious that not only did Moses hold a strong belief (faith) but even more significant that strong belief held him. Moses had "2Co 4:18 Vision"! Warren Wiersbe observes... As with Abraham and Moses of old, the decisions we make today will determine the rewards tomorrow. More than this, our decisions should be motivated by the expectation of receiving rewards (Ed: which is clearly what motivated Moses' decision to defer)...The emphasis in the Epistle to the Hebrews is: ‘Don’t live for what the world will promise you today! Live for what God has promised you in the future!” Jesus present two powerful examples of any who would seek to enjoy the passing pleasures of what this world has to offer... Luke 12:19 (Parable of a certain rich man who says) 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' Disciple's Study Bible comments that "The present is not permanent. People make plans for the future based on present achievements. Such plans should not be totally self-centered. We need to remember God controls the future. Our plans must include Him, His will, and His work on earth. Our largest building project is His kingdom. Ryrie succinctly puts it "Man proposes; God disposes." Luke 16:25 (Context Lk 16:19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) "But Abraham said (to the rich man), 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. (Context: Lk 16:26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) James speaks strongly to the rich who have made it their pastime (pun intended for it will indeed one day be "past"!) to seek the passing pleasures of this world... Jas 5:5 (Read the context Jas 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 6) You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.