PASSAGE: Exodus 2:11-25
This passage tells the story of Moses as a young adult. A little backstory: Moses had secretly grown up in Pharaoh’s palace as “royalty”and just found out that he was of Hebrew decent, not Egyptian. At this time the Hebrews were enslaved to the Egyptians and being treated terribly. Moses saw all of this. As he was trying to connect with the Hebrews, he was very moved by their horrific treatment. He, without consulting God, tried to be a savior. He killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was brutally beating a Hebrew slave. Thinking no one saw the murder, he buries the body in the sand. The next day Moses is trying to ease tensions between two Hebrew slaves who are fighting. After a comment by one of the Hebrews, Moses realizes that his murderous deed had been witnessed. Out of fear of Pharaoh, Moses fled to the wilderness of Midian. Accepted in Midian, he took Zipporah, the daughter of a priest, as his wife and lives the next forty years in hiding as a shepherd. This time was a time of preparation. God shapes Moses into the man who will lead the Israelite’s out of bondage. Moses learns to fully rely on God and developed the qualities of a leader. God did not forget His “covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” and He heard the cries of the Israelite’s. He was preparing Moses to deliver them. The following are some mistakes that Moses made which, ultimately, ended with his exile from Egypt.
- Impulsive Acts of Violence
Error: Moses witnesses an Egyptian taskmaster brutally beating a Hebrew slave. Acting on impulse, he kills the Egyptian and hides his body in the sand. Knowing that you don’t murder, I wonder how often you act out of impulse on other things?
Significance: Moses, being Hebrew, was secretly raised in the Egyptian palace (Exodus 2:1-10). He was trying to find identity with his Hebrew brethren and was driven by a wish for justice. His actions were not directed by God. The murder highlights Moses’ effort to save the Israelite’s using his own strength. He did not wait for God’s appointed way and time.
2. Lack of Seeking God’s Guidance
Error: Moses moves ahead without seeking God’s guidance or talking with Him before dealing with the situation. How often do you react without praying first and listening for God’s answer?
Significance: His actions show a failure to rely on God for the solution. The problem and the situation Moses had gotten himself into required God. He was relying on his own abilities.
3. Attempt to Hide His Actions
Error: Moses tried to hide his crime by burying the body in the sand. Do you try to hide your sin from God and others? Do you act differently when you think no one else is watching or in the company you are keeping?
Significance: This emphasizes the human tendency to try and hide our mistakes to avoid the consequences of our actions. Our sins and misdeeds will be found out and are always seen by God.
4. Wrong Belief about His People’s Reaction
Error: Moses assumed the Israelite’s would see him as their deliverer. He thought they would respond positively to his interference.
Significance: The next day Moses tries to stop a fight between two Hebrews. Instead of listening to him they reject his authority. Then they question his murderous actions the prior day. It shows the people were not ready for his leadership. Moses wasn’t prepared to be their leader. Was this because God hardened the hearts of the Hebrews toward Moses? Or was it because they knew where he came from and viewed him as another Egyptian who ruled over them?
5. Fear and Flight Instead of Facing Consequences
Error: When Moses realized the people saw what he had done the prior day, he fled. Out of fear of Pharaoh and the death that would become him, Moses ran away.
Significance: Running away shows a lack of faith and trust in God’s protection. Once again, Moses relies on his own efforts to escape the situation. How often do we not let God be God? We try to “help Him” with the situation. We want it done now and think we know the best way. We are a people of “instant”: instant gratification, instant access, instant self-assurance and instant authority.
These mistakes, ultimately, led to a forty year delay in God’s plan to deliver the Israelite’s. Moses’ impulsive actions and his reliance on self, were not what God needed at the time. Moses spent the next forty years in hiding in the wilderness. God used this time to humble Moses and shape him into the leader God needed to free the Hebrews. Over time, God taught Moses to rely on Him, His strength and His guidance. This serves as a reminder that those God chooses to use can make mistakes. But God is faithful to work through them and prepare them for His purpose. He will do the same for you. Just put all your faith in God, listen to Him, act suitably and hang on!
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