MOSES: HIS EARLY LIFE
Exodus 2:1-22
Reading: Heb 11:24-27
Songs:
Theme: God’s providential work to fulfill his promises
INTRODUCTION
A. You have probably heard the phrase many times, "timing is everything". There is a great deal of truth in that statement. The difference between a good joke and a bad one, all things being equal, is a person's sense of timing. Timing is essential when dealing with people. You don't ask for a raise when business is not going well or when things are tense around the office. You don't ask for a favor when someone is stress out or angry. Timing is important in cooking. A hamburger on the grill is raw meat if cooked for too little time and a clump of charcoal if it is cooked too long. Timing is important in medicine. If a medical condition is found out early enough, the treatment may be more effective. You timing is important in taking medication. Timing is important in finance. When you invest in a particular stock and when you sell the particular stock will make the difference between whether you make money or lose it. Knowing when to borrow and when not to borrow is the key to financial independence. Timing is important in your spiritual life as well. Jesus who was very conscious of timing, lived with an acute awareness of God's timing. [adapted [1] ] We can recognize the timing of God’s time table in the Book of Exodus.
B. In the first chapter of the Book of Exodus, we read of God providentially working to fulfill his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Part of it was demonstrated in his having sent Joseph to Egypt .While in Egypt with the Pharaoh’s favor upon them, the household of Jacob prospered (Gen. 47:11-12, 27; Exod. 1:7). They experienced phenomenal numerical growth, even after the rise to power of a new king who established a policy of slavery and cruelty toward them (Exo 1:8ff). In chapter 2, we we read of God having continued to providentially work in the history of Israel, by preserving the life of a child who was to become Israel’s deliverer. There are three incidents in that child’s life, portrayed in chapter two. In each of these incidents, there is a common thread showing that person as a deliverer. God’s deliverance of Israel began with a baby so we can understand it was a matter of timing.
C. Let’s examine those incidents to learn how God works to providentially fulfill his promises.
Body
I. APPOINTED DELIVERANCE (2:1-10).
Moses’ Early Life (2:1-15).
Birth Of The Deliverer
A. ... the woman conceived, and bare a son ... And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes ... (2:1-4)
1 ¶ And there went <03212> (8799) a man <0376> of the house <01004> of Levi <03878>, and took <03947> (8799) to wife a daughter <01323> of Levi <03878>.
2 And the woman <0802> conceived <02029> (8799), and bare <03205> (8799) a son <01121>: and when she saw <07200> (8799) him that he was a goodly <02896> child, she hid <06845> (8799) him three <07969> months <03391>.
3 And when she could <03201> (8804) not longer <05750> hide <06845> (8687) him, she took <03947> (8799) for him an ark <08392> of bulrushes <01573>, and daubed <02560> (8799) it with slime <02564> and with pitch <02203>, and put <07760> (8799) the child <03206> therein; and she laid <07760> (8799) it in the flags <05488> by the river’s <02975> brink <08193>.
4 And his sister <0269> stood <03320> (8691) afar off <07350>, to wit <03045> (8800) what would be done <06213> (8735) to him.
1. Were told in the text, a Levite couple had a son born to them (vs 1-2).
a. We’re not given the child’s Hebrew in the text.
(1) Other scriptures reveal that his dad’s named was Amram (6:20) and his mother as Jochebed (6:20; Num 26:59).
(2) Amram and Jochebed also had other children who were born before the king’s edict to kill the Hebrew baby boys.
(a) Miriam (Exo 15:20)
(b) Aaron (Exo 7:7).
b. Normally, having a child would not be too stressful an event but the situation for these parents was that, as we read in chapter one of the Book of Exodus, the king of Egypt had given a command to throw all the new born Hebrew boys into the river.
c. However, these parents didn’t fear the kings command.
d. We’re told in the text that “when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.”
(1) goodly, Strong’s - 02896. bwj TOWB tobe; from 02895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well):— beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ([- favoured]).
(2) Stephen stated that Moses was handsome (Act 7:17-21).
(a) handsome, Strong’s - 791. asteiov ASTEIOS as-ti’-os; from astu astu (a city); urbane, i.e. (by implication) handsome:— fair.
AV-fair 1, proper 1; 2 1) of the city 2) of polished manners 3) elegant (of body), comely, fair
For Synonyms see entry 5893
(3) However, we dare not conclude that the reason the child was kept was simply because he was too physically appealing to throw to the crocodiles, else we also conclude the other parents would were justified in casting their not so physically appealing children into the river.
(a) Consider this for a moment.
(b) Infanticide, that is abortion, the purposeful ending of an unborn babies life, is not justified by scripture and is therefore, murder, a sin.
(4) There was more to the child’s parent’s actions than this text alone reveals.
e. Further reading of the scriptures, regarding the text, reveals that though they thought of their child as very handsome, they had acted out of faith (cp. Heb 11:23).
(1) Since faith comes from hearing God’s word (Rom 10:17), somehow, what they did was according to God’s revealed word.
(2) Either God had told them something directly that is not recorded in scripture or they had simply acted up God’s written word such as the commandment not to kill.
f. What is important to understand is that they had defied the king’s order to do the will of God (cp. Act 5:29).
2. When having the child could no longer be hidden, Jochebed made the baby an ark and put him in the river, near where the king’s daughter washed (vs 3-4).
a. The baby could not longer be hid, perhaps because of some such thing as the child’s crying or his washed clothes hanging out on a line.
b. Miriam, Moses’ sister, watched over her brother to know of his outcome (v 4. Num 26:59).
Providential Protection
B. And she had compassion on him ... (2:5-10)
5 ¶ And the daughter <01323> of Pharaoh <06547> came down <03381> (8799) to wash <07364> (8800) herself at the river <02975>; and her maidens <05291> walked <01980> (8802) along by the river’s <02975> side <03027>; and when she saw <07200> (8799) the ark <08392> among <08432> the flags <05488>, she sent <07971> (8799) her maid <0519> to fetch <03947> (8799) it.
6 And when she had opened <06605> (8799) it, she saw <07200> (8799) the child <03206>: and, behold, the babe <05288> wept <01058> (8802). And she had compassion <02550> (8799) on him, and said <0559> (8799), This is one of the Hebrews <05680>‘ children <03206>.
1. When “the daughter of Pharaoh went down to wash at the river” she found the baby (vs 5-6; Act 7:20-21).
a. It was not chance that a crocodile didn’t get Moses, the elements or that Pharaoh's daughter found the child in his ark.
b. It was also no coincidence that the child’s mother later became his nurse (vs 7-9).
c. It was no coincidence that the child’s parents later became his adoptive parents (v 10).
d. As we come to understand from the rest of the child’s life, God was providential watching over the child and it was just a matter of time before he came to his purpose.
e. God also has his providential hand in protecting all of his faithful (cp. Rom 8:28; 2Th 2:14)
7 Then said <0559> (8799) his sister <0269> to Pharaoh’s <06547> daughter <01323>, Shall I go <03212> (8799) and call <07121> (8804) to thee a nurse <03243> (8688) of the Hebrew <05680> women <0802>, that she may nurse <03243> (8686) the child <03206> for thee?
8 And Pharaoh’s <06547> daughter <01323> said <0559> (8799) to her, Go <03212> (8798). And the maid <05959> went <03212> (8799) and called <07121> (8799) the child’s <03206> mother <0517>.
9 And Pharaoh’s <06547> daughter <01323> said <0559> (8799) unto her, Take <03212> <00> this child <03206> away <03212> (8685), and nurse <03243> (8685) it for me, and I will give <05414> (8799) thee thy wages <07939>. And the woman <0802> took <03947> (8799) the child <03206>, and nursed <05134> (8686) it.
2. The child’s sister spoke on his behalf to care for him and Pharaoh’s daughter agreed (vs 7-9).
10 And the child <03206> grew <01431> (8799), and she brought <0935> (8686) him unto Pharaoh’s <06547> daughter <01323>, and he became her son <01121>. And she called <07121> (8799) his name <08034> Moses <04872>: and she said <0559> (8799), Because I drew <04871> (8804) him out of the water <04325>. {Moses: that is, Drawn out}
3. Eventually, the child was returned to “Pharaoh’s daughter, to become her son and she named him Moses (v 10).
a. Moses would have been raised as an Egyptian prince and given a remarkable education in Pharaoh’s courts.
b. With her Moses grew up into a man and was taught all the wisdom of Egypt (Act 7:22-23).
c. That means Moses would have learned sciences, philosophies, religion, and military tactics.
d. The historian Josephus wrote that Moses was a general in Pharaoh’s army and led in a great military victory against the Ethiopians.
Transition: As Moses’ life was greatly changed from what it might have been grown up living with his Hebrew parents, so as an adult his life was also changed from what it might have been in Pharaoh’s court.
II. ATTEMPT TO DELIVER (2:11-15).
A. ... when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens ... (2:11-15).
11 ¶ And it came to pass in those days <03117>, when Moses <04872> was grown <01431> (8799), that he went out <03318> (8799) unto his brethren <0251>, and looked <07200> (8799) on their burdens <05450>: and he spied <07200> (8799) an Egyptian <04713> <0376> smiting <05221> (8688) an Hebrew <05680>, one of his brethren <0251>.
12 And he looked <06437> (8799) this way <03541> and that way <03541>, and when he saw <07200> (8799) that there was no man <0376>, he slew <05221> (8686) the Egyptian <04713>, and hid <02934> (8799) him in the sand <02344>.
1. When Moses was “grown,” that is forty years old (Act 7:23) a change had come over him and he went to see about his people (vs 11-12).
a. Moses had made a decision to be identified with Israel rather than with Egypt (Act 7:23; Heb 11:24-27).
(1) Moses had a choice to make.
(2) He could have been happy with his seemingly much easier life and prosperity or he could join himself to his people, God’s people (Luk 9:23-24; 14:26-27).
(3) It is a choice each of us has to make each day in our struggle against sin and the offerings of the world (cp. Act 20:24; Php 3:7-8).
b. In having taken matters into his own hands, in the process of trying to defend his people and set them free, Moses murdered the Egyptian who had been striking a Hebrew man (vs 11-12; Act 7:24-29).
(1) smiting, Strong’s - 05221. hkn NAKAH naw-kaw’; a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively):— beat, cast forth, clap, give [wounds], X go forward, X indeed, kill, make [slaughter], murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, X surely, wound.
TWOT-1364; v AV-smite 348, slay 92, kill 20, beat 9, slaughter 5, stricken 3, given 3, wounded 3, strike 2, stripes 2, misc 13; 500 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a) (Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
08688 Stem - HiphilSee 08818
Mood - ParticipleSee 08813
Count-857
(2) We're not told in the text whether the Egyptian was beating the Hebrew man or had killed the Hebrew man, but Moses definitely murdered the Egyptian, hiding the body in the sand.
c. Moses with his actions was running ahead of God, for the time of deliverance was not yet come (Gen 15:16).
(1) Frequently, what gets Christians in trouble is running ahead of God and not waiting on his time table.
(2) We now live in a world where people value quickness, service, and convenience.
(a) Smart businesses know how to meet that need.
(b) We can get your photographs done in an hour, use the express lane for 10 items or less, take non-stop flights to our destination and receive free food if your not served in some restaurants in a given amount of time.
(3) Maybe you’re life is not happening as quick and conveniently as you want.
(4) May you’re trying to make certain things happen but they’re not turning out the way you wanted.
(5) Giving in to God’s will is always the best way.
(6) It starts with obedience to the gospel and continues with faithful submission to his will.
(7) Moses was probably used to doing things his way and without permission.
(8) Moses too had to learn God’s will and give into it.
13 And when he went out <03318> (8799) the second <08145> day <03117>, behold, two <08147> men <0582> of the Hebrews <05680> strove <05327> (8737) together: and he said <0559> (8799) to him that did the wrong <07563>, Wherefore smitest <05221> (8686) thou thy fellow <07453>?
14 And he said <0559> (8799), Who made <07760> (8804) thee <0376> a prince <08269> and a judge <08199> (8802) over us? intendest <0559> (8802) thou to kill <02026> (8800) me, as thou killedst <02026> (8804) the Egyptian <04713>? And Moses <04872> feared <03372> (8799), and said <0559> (8799), Surely <0403> this thing <01697> is known <03045> (8738). {a prince: Heb. a man, a prince}
2. On a second day, Moses noticed two Hebrew men striving with each other, he tried to get them to stop, but instead they rejected him, (vs 13-14).
a. The Hebrews could not even get along with each other.
b. We may think that since they were equally under the persecution of Egypt that the people of Israel would have bonded more closely to one another and wonder how they could do such a thing.
c. In looking at the church we sometimes see the same kind of behavior among brethren.
3. Moses for some reason supposed that his brethren understood that he was their deliverer (Acts 7:25).
B. ... when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled ... (2:15).
15 Now when Pharaoh <06547> heard <08085> (8799) this thing <01697>, he sought <01245> (8762) to slay <02026> (8800) Moses <04872>. But Moses <04872> fled <01272> (8799) from the face <06440> of Pharaoh <06547>, and dwelt <03427> (8799) in the land <0776> of Midian <04080>: and he sat down <03427> (8799) by a well <0875>.
1. When Pharaoh learned what Moses had done to the Egyptian, Moses fled from Pharaoh in to Midian.
a. Moses ended up spending the next forty years learning humility and patience from God.
b. Then when Moses was ready, he would spend his last forty years working for God and leading Israel.
2. He dwelt by a well.
3. sat down, Strong’s - 03427. bvy yashab yaw-shab’; a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:— (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep [house], lurking, X marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-)sit(-down, still, —ting down, —ting [place] —uate), take, tarr
Transition: In Midian Moses’ life was to change again near the well.
.
III. All THE DAUGHTERS (2:16-21).
Delivery Of Reuel’s Daughters
A. ... Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock ... (2:16-20).
16 ¶ Now the priest <03548> of Midian <04080> had seven <07651> daughters <01323>: and they came <0935> (8799) and drew <01802> (8799) water, and filled <04390> (8762) the troughs <07298> to water <08248> (8687) their father’s <01> flock <06629>. {priest: or, prince}
17 And the shepherds <07462> (8802) came <0935> (8799) and drove them away <01644> (8762): but Moses <04872> stood up <06965> (8799) and helped <03467> (8686) them, and watered <08248> (8686) their flock <06629>.
1. Fleeing to the land of Midian, Moses ended up at a well.
2. It would seem that the women would arrive at the well before the shepherds who would drive the women away leaving them to water their father’s flock last.
3. Moses stood up against the bullies and delivered the women.
18 And when they came <0935> (8799) to Reuel <07467> their father <01>, he said <0559> (8799), How <04069> is it that ye are come <0935> (8800) so soon <04116> (8765) to day <03117>? {Reuel: called also Jethro, or, Jether}
19 And they said <0559> (8799), An Egyptian <04713> <0376> delivered <05337> (8689) us out of the hand <03027> of the shepherds <07462> (8802), and also drew <01802> (8804) water enough <01802> (8800) for us, and watered <08248> (8686) the flock <06629>.
20 And he said <0559> (8799) unto his daughters <01323>, And where is he? why is it that ye have left <05800> (8804) the man <0376>? call <07121> (8798) him, that he may eat <0398> (8799) bread <03899>.
4. When the seven daughters told their father Reuel (elsewhere called Jethro - 3:1), the story of how Moses helped them, Reuel gently chastised his daughters for not having extended the hospitality of a meal to this stranger (vs 18-20).
Moses Marries A Gentile