What is the meaning of Hebrews 11:26?

He valued disgrace for Christ

• Moses willingly embraced what the world calls humiliation because it connected him with the Messiah’s redemptive plan (Hebrews 11:24–25).

• Scripture notes that suffering for righteousness is an honor, not a loss (Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 4:14).

• Like Paul, Moses could later say, “I count everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).

---

above the treasures of Egypt

• Egypt offered Moses unrivaled wealth, education, and status (Acts 7:22).

• Choosing the reproach of Christ over gold echoes Jesus’ own words: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

• Material abundance is temporary; God warns that earthly riches can vanish overnight (Proverbs 23:5; 1 Timothy 6:9–10).

---

for he was looking ahead

• Moses’ gaze shifted from present comfort to future certainty (2 Corinthians 4:18).

• Faith always “sees” what cannot be seen with natural eyes (Hebrews 11:1).

• Abraham modeled this forward look, “waiting for the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

---

to his reward

• God promises that “He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

• The reward includes intimate fellowship with God now (John 14:23) and eternal inheritance later (1 Peter 1:4).

• Christ Himself is the believer’s greatest reward (Genesis 15:1; Revelation 22:4–5).

---

summary

Moses deliberately chose the reproach linked to Christ over Egypt’s fleeting riches because faith enabled him to see the superior, everlasting reward God offers. His decision urges us to treasure Christ above worldly gain, keep our eyes fixed on the eternal, and trust that every sacrifice for His name will be repaid a hundredfold.