1. Moses is a Prince of Egypt

Moses grew up amid the splendour of Pharoah’s court. We are told in Acts 7:22-23 that Moses was 40 years old when this happened and was a prince of Egypt. Moses would have been highly educated in Egypt’s wisdom.  Archaeologists believe Moses probably knew much about science and literature.  Moses was never allowed to forget that he was a Hebrew.

2. The fleshy attempt to free the Hebrews

This is the first attempt to free the Hebrews. Moses does it in his own strength. Moses is the stranger in the bosom of Egypt, and he remembers his identity and tries to rid himself of the Egyptian within by killing this uncircumcised man. It is like Moses is circumcising himself to free himself from Egypt’s influence to return to what is central – Israel. He is dispensing with the outside which has accumulated but he is not ready for the consequences and becoming the leader of his people.

The mission of Moses is to overthrow the tyrant and help the Hebrews become a nation. However, he is not in the right place to do it here. He gets himself into trouble. He wants to do the right thing, but he is missing the authority that comes from God. This careless killing almost downs Moses. He things the freedom is going to happen if it is done in secret. It is a messy version of what he will eventually do. He doesn’t yet have what it takes to do it. He is found out and his authority is rejected by his own people.

Moses is forced to flee for his life as Pharoah seeks to end his life now for killing an Egyptian. Did Moses do the right thing or the wrong thing? Certainly, Pharaoh and his own people didn’t appreciate his actions. It is not a precondition for great leaders to be sinless. Many great people have sinned greatly, repented, and were reclaimed. Many people have been too terrified to take any action and won’t risk themselves. It is interesting that the harshest judgment on Christ’s return is for the lukewarm and not the hot or cold. Revelation 3:16. God wants adventurers rather than those who played safe. With faith there is risk. It is not easy to tell the truth and step out. Abraham, Jonah, Moses, Daniel, etc. It is faith that helps you step into an unknown future.

3. Moses runs to the desert but comes to a well

Moses is on the run from Pharoah and heads into the desert for what will be 40 years but first, he will go to a well. The Midianites are not Israelites, but they are strangers. However, they are the right distance so he can unite himself with Midian without losing himself and becoming a slave to them.

Moses can’t take on Pharaoh by himself. He is too weak. He is doubting and failing. He will later say to God that he is unable to speak. Moses will go from one who cannot speak to the shining person who comes down from the mountain with words from God to all mankind. Moses seems like a god to the people and must hide his face because he is so radiant! He has now become eloquent in speech. He writes the Torah for example!

If the words come from God, then it really doesn’t matter how impaired you think you are. We know nothing about Abraham before God calls him, but we know a lot about Moses before God calls him. He is a very impressive man already and we will see in the next verses that he is willing to stand up regardless of sex or nationality.

Categories: Exodus

Tags: bible, Exodus, faith, god, moses