Israel’s cries for help had been heard by God, and He sent a redeemer to save His people from their plight of slavery under a new Egyptian regime. Their situation had reached its breaking point, and the memory of the covenant made with Abraham–the father of the nation of Israel–was still as solid as it was over 400 years prior to their current subjugation. God’s provision remained, and He sent a redeemer in the most peculiar of ways. A weak and vulnerable child was sent down river (even as all male children were being thrown to their death in the same river as instructed by Pharaoh) to the bathing area of Pharaoh’s daughter. And it was here that this little child was rescued from the river and welcomed into the family of his people’s enemies. His life was set on a course of royal delights, exquisite beauty, and prominence of unfettered power. He went from obscurity in the face of death to privilege and learning beyond compare. From a life of servitude as an Israelite to the life of a prince and an adopted son into an Egyptian dynasty. But, trouble is brewing, and this so-called redeemer had many lessons to learn, and thus revealing that he was not in fact the ultimate Redeemer–nevertheless, still a most significant character in the biblical storyline of the God’s working through His creation.
“Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.”
Exodus 2:11-12
The boy became a man, and the man, Moses, became a murderer. His anger and resentment for the treatment of his people led him to the extremest of measures. What seemed to be a most glorious and colorful section on the canvas of God’s biblical storyline quickly turns to a deplorable black and white scene of hate, revenge, and murder–the ending of one man’s life on account of the treatment of another. Sin struck again–the evil heart of man remains. Justice was exacted by one who assumed the position of judge, jury, and executioner. The stakes are now too high for this man, Moses, and for fear of being found out, he flees to the land of Midian–the place of his distant relatives–as a 40 year old fugitive, royally adopted son, now murder is on the run.
“When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian…”
Exodus 2:15
Moses will ultimately lead the Israelites out from the oppressive slavery suffered under Pharaoh, but it will take a long time for him to season as a person before his purpose is fulfilled. In fact, 40 years will pass until he is ready to return to his hometown. In the meantime, he will marry, become a father, and continue to work as a shepherd until one incredible experience. God will transcend space, time, and matter to set this man on his mission. Until then, consider the magnitude and extreme measure Moses went to, how he responded in the face of trial, and how God allowed him to season as a person before He used him for his purpose.
Are there times when you think that your sinful actions disqualify you from ever being used in the purpose and plan of God?
What if you said, “No! I will not be held captive to past sinful mistakes. I will confess my sin, seek reconciliation with anyone that has been impacted by my sin, accept God’s forgiveness, and trust that God is using the present circumstances to prepare me for His purpose and plan. Instead of letting the past dictate my future, I will reject the notion that I am washed up and wasted. I will move forward–day-by-day–with the promise of redemption and forgiveness. I will remember that this is the exact reason why Christ had to die…”
What if?
— November 11, 2016