He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
Observe here, 1. The common lot and usual condition of God's people in this world; it is an afflicted state and condition. 2. That wicked men oft-times enjoy pleasures in the ways of sin, whilst good men meet with much affliction in the work of holiness. 3. That notwithstanding this, all wise and good men do rather choose afflicted godliness, than pleasant and prosperous wickedness. 4.
Verse 25. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God. With those whom God had chosen to be his people--the Israelites, They were then oppressed and downtrodden; but they were the descendants of Abraham, and were those whom God had designed to be his peculiar people. Moses saw that if he cast in his lot with them, he must expect trials.
Abel is our first pattern of faith at work: he offered a sacrifice acceptable to God while his brother's was rejected. By faith he was commended as righteous, and though he died long ago, his faith still speaks.
AI summary
Commenting on Hebrews 11:4-31