Moses: Day 4
Thursday, September 2
Anger, Murder, and Flight
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. Exodus 2:11-12
Suggested reading: Exodus 2:11-20
We know little about Moses’ upbringing other than he was handed over to Pharoah’s daughter once he was weaned. I’m sure for Moses’ mother, this letting go of her son was an emotional one to say the least. But I want to believe that she had prayed mighty things into her little boy’s future.
Although he lived like, dressed like, ate like an Egyptian, Moses was a Hebrew at heart and in blood. We see in these verses above that he was enraged at the abuse of his kinsman. He let his anger get the better-of him and killed the Egyptian when nobody was looking, or so he thought.
The next day, when he confronted two Hebrew slaves who were arguing, one of them said to Moses, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” (v. 14). With this statement, Moses knew he had to flee Pharoah’s judgment, who indeed wanted to kill him. So, at age 40, Moses left Egypt on the run, leaving behind his Egyptian home and his Hebrew heritage. He ended up in Midian, where God in his providence, led him to rest by well of water, which then led him to a family of seven daughters, one of whom became his wife.
Thoughts:
I have a few take-aways today…
First of all, I want to believe Moses’ mother covered her son in prayer, both while nursing him in her arms, and then especially after she embraced him for the last time.
*Never forget the power of prayer for our children (and others we love). Believe these heartfelt petitions to our supernatural God travel forward in time.
Secondly, whenever I read verses like the ones above, I marvel all over again at the grace of our God. This young man Moses (like David later, and Paul even later) had the word “murder” on his resume!
*Never believe the lie that you are unusable by God due to your past mess-ups. Your enemy, who is very aware of how effective your redemption story can be for God’s kingdom, will use shame to keep your heart hidden and your mouth closed. Your redeemed past is the best evidence of God’s grace for someone who needs it in your present.
And finally, Moses made his way through unknown territory, and then happened upon an unfamiliar well so he could rest. Moses did the wandering in a foreign land but, ultimately, it was the all-knowing God who led him to this exact spot at this exact time.
*Choose to believe that your unknown but faith-filled steps are, in reality, God’s straight paths to his will for your life.
Today, let’s learn from the little we know about Moses’ younger years. God has a lot he can teach us!
Going deeper and sweeter: Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 5:20; Proverbs 3:5-6
Dear Lord,
We lift up our prayers, trusting you with those we love. Thank you for your unending grace and your all-knowing plans for each and every one of us. Keep us in step with you, O God. Amen.
