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The former verse acquainted us with the general choice which Moses made of affliction with the people of God: this acquaints us with one sort and particular kind of affliction which he chose, namely, reproach for Christ; this he counted his glory, his riches, his treasures, beyond all the riches and treasures of Egypt.
Note here, That the people of God have been, and usually are, a people under reproach; not only a persecuted, but a reproached people; the foundation of all sufferings is laid in reproach: this is the cover for all. The Jews by reproaches first stirred up the rage of the people against Christ, before they attempted to take away his life.
Note, 2. The reproach of good men is the reproach fo Christ, because he and they are but one mystical body, and because of the near union that is between them. The reproach of the wife is the reproach of the husband, especially if she be reproached for his sake, and upon his account.
Again observe, What an high esteem a gracious person has of reproaches in the cause of Christ, and for the sake of Christ; he esteems them his glory, his treasure, his greatest treasure; he rejoices and takes pleasure in them, and very much values himself by them.
Verily no man deserves the name of a Christian until he hath such an esteem of Christ, and value for him, that the worst things in the world, even persecution and reproach, should be preferred by him before the great things of the world, when they stand in competition with him, or in opposition to him.
Observe lastly, The ground of Moses's faith, self-denial, contempt of the world, and all its excellent actions; and that was, the recompence of the reward which he had respect unto: For he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
Where note, That there is a reward laid up for good men; that it is a lawful, yea, laudable, very expedient, yea, very necessary and needful, for a Christian to eye this reward, and to have respect unto it in the whole course of his obedience; and this doing will be a mighty encouraging motive to undergo all hardships and difficulties in the way of religion: He had respect unto the recompense of the reward.