Moses Flees Midian Exodus 2:11-25 August 25, 2019

Where are we at? Israelites in slavery because the Egyptian leader was afraid they would take over. Last week, Moses was put in an ark (basket) and found by Pharaoh’s daughter. This week, Moses tries to take plans into his own hands. Moses spent 40 years with Pharaoh Forty years in Midian Forty 40 years with Israelites coming out of Egypt. 1) Don’t run ahead of God. 23 “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. 25 For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ 27 But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. Acts 7:23-29 We have the tendency to react sometimes instead of taking a step back. This should be a good reminder for us not to jump ahead and take things into our own hands. Notice Moses is not chastised by God per se for the killing, however, we know killing was wrong, although the Ten Commandments hadn’t been written yet (Cain and Abel). Notice Moses had to look over his shoulder. He knew that it was wrong and if found out he would be in trouble from the rulers of Egypt. He would indeed spend the next 40 years away from his people. Not so much punishment, but getting him ready for what was to come. Moses’ desire was right – protect his people, but action maybe not so much. Right motif, wrong action Need to pray on when to act and when to wait?

“If you think you have blown God’s plan for your life, rest in this. You, my friend, are not that powerful.” ~ Lisa Bevere

The measure of Egypt’s iniquity was not yet full; the Hebrews were not sufficiently humbled, nor were they yet increased to such a multitude as God designed; Moses is to be farther fitted for the service, and therefore is directed to withdraw for the present, till the time to favor Israel, even the set time, come. ~ Warren Wiersbe This brings us to our second point: 2) Trust His plan (sovereignty). Moses was to be fitted for the service, and therefore is directed to withdraw for the present. Moses will spend 40 years in Midian as a Shepherd. God was preparing him in the wilderness, maybe his own wilderness. Sure it’s not how he saw it going. However, God used it. Moses was God advantaged! So are we. Think about the times He worked things out in your life when you were not particularly happy with the circumstances. Now you can look back and see how God was at work, working things out for His will. God works to conform us to His plan.

And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 God may allow our own choices or just circumstances in general to get us where He wants us. 3) Ask what God may want to do where He has you (mean time). Moses marries and has children in Midian. He had no idea that God would soon call him to be the one to start the Exodus from Egypt. Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth. Exodus 12:3 Don’t look for something greater. Don’t try to make things happen. 4) Be faithful!

Prayer Focus:  Are you running ahead or behind God? Are you following where He is leading or kicking and screaming?  Are you trusting His OVERALL plan?  What are you doing right now to be faithful to Him?