October 5, 2006
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Exodus 2 continued
Chapter 2 skips to Moses at about the age of 40. Moses has been living in Pharaoh’s household with perks, education, and now he is grown.
Verse 11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.
I find it very interesting that Moses still identified with the Israelites, calling them his brethren. Seems that Moses’ mother did a good job in teaching him the truth. Moses went out (like Jesus came down) and saw the burdens of his people. Unlike Jesus who did what His father told Him, Moses acted under his own prompting, and like us – when we do what seems right in our understanding we often get it wrong. Moses will get it wrong here.
Moses now acts rashly, but thought that he was being cautious, but his sin will find him out. Verse 12 So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
Moses looked this way, and that way, but he did not look UP to see if this is what God wanted. I think that sometimes we do similar things to what Moses did. We see a need and jump right in to try and ease the need. Sometimes it is not what God intended, or how God wants us to minister – so we end up killing the opportunity that was there for God to intervene. And instead of much good coming from it, the opportunity is wasted. I am trying to really act as God directs, but still too often I act on impulse.
This is a case where Moses wanted to help God out by protecting his brethren, but God doesn’t need our help, He does permit us to work alongside with Him, but He can do what He needs to do without our help. Moses thought that he had fully covered up the murder.
Verse 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why are you striking your companion”. Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!”
There is so much in this – notice the second day (on the third day Moses will be in the wilderness – I am trying to track mentions of third days). But Moses took it upon himself to judge between the two men, but remember that he had compromised his authority by the murder of the Egyptian. Moses was judging from a place of sin. Romans 2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Moses had lost his moral authority with the murder of the Egyptian. And because he was an Israelite in the Egyptian household, he did not have the same bond with the people. I think it is incredible that God can take a murderer, look beyond the surface and see the leader that is hidden underneath the dross. We too are murderers by Jesus’ standards, for anyone who bears a grudge against another commits murder in Jesus’ economy. God sees our rough forms and allows life to smooth out the rough edges so that we fit perfectly in the whole Body of Christ. Sometimes the shaping process can be tough too.
In those days, murdering an Egyptian was a capital offense, and because Moses knew that he had been found out, he had to run. He reacted and ran to the wilderness. But Moses also knew that his adopted siblings would have gladly done away with him, because he was a threat to their inheritance, and to their power. So Moses had no choice but to run. Even when we react to a situation, do something in error, God will use that to shape us and form us to his Perfect Will. Moses will learn much that will grow him to take the ultimate job that God has in mind for him, the freeing of the Israelites and guiding them towards the Promised Land. I am so glad that we serve such an awesome God!
I am going to post this, we will get to the rest of the chapter after a brief interlude tomorrow to post Pastor Don’s Bible study. We do serve an awesome God. What I am finding interesting is how the various Bible studies I am taking are meshing so much together. I think God is working some things out in my life through them, so if I linger somewhat, it is because I am really reflecting on what God is trying to tell me.
Have a blessed night!
Heather
