Moses Flees to Midian

 

Exodus 2:11-22

 

August 7, 2024

 

Moses Flees to Midian

One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.  He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.  When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “Surely the thing is known.”  When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.  

 

Where did Moses get the idea that God had asked him to kill a man? It was an act of Moses' flesh, trying to do good, in doing a bad act of murder.  And we understand he hid the man that he killed, he knew that his action would not go well.

 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.  The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them and watered their flock.  When they came home to their father, Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.”  He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.”  And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah.  She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

We see Moses as the man who stands for the one too weak to stand for themselves.  This time, he not only helped the ladies trying to water their flock of sheep, but he also drew the water for them.  And you can read the account, but what can we apply to our lives?

 

First, never do bad. It is one thing to intervene, to stop a fight; it is another thing to do as Moses did.  God did not make Moses kill anyone; that was an act of will driven by emotions.  But God, being all-knowing, uses it to get Moses out of Egypt to teach him how to shepherd his chosen people.

 

Often, our flesh and emotions will tell us it is ok to act in a way that is contrary to turning the other cheek.  Always remember our Lord's words, and follow them: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

From our Back Porch,

Bob Rice