Moses’ self-denial in choosing to suffer affliction rather than to enjoy sin was a sound and very rational decision. Thomas Manton vindicated Moses’ choice by comparing the effects of affliction with those of sin. He wrote that the greatest affliction should be chosen before the least sin because:
Sin is a transgression of God’s law that diminishes what truly satisfies us; affliction diminishes our happiness only for a short time.
It is a greater misery to be in a sinful state that separates us from God, than in an afflicted condition that may actually draw us nearer to God.
We can rejoice in afflictions because good may be the final result, but we can never rejoice in our sins.
Affliction is often sent by God to prevent sin, but sin must never be committed to escape affliction.
We lose by sin what is of eternal value, the loss involved in suffering is only for a moment.
Sin is an offense against Almighty God, the creator of all things, and therefore is of infinitely greater consequence than the temporary affliction of one of His creatures.
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