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Sermon Overview

After killing the Egyptian, Moses flees and spends 40 years in the wilderness, where God would prepare and perfect His character for the work he was to do.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr. Senior Pastor

Exodus 2:11-22 NASB

11 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. 12 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. 13 He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?” 14 But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”

15 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, and he sat down by a well.

16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock. 18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?” 19 So they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew the water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.” 21 Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses. 22 Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

Notes

God is in the business of preparing His servants. Moses was born in a time of crisis but God spared him. His own mother raised him implying that Moses was made aware of his own heritage as a Hebrew. God educated him under the Egyptians. He would understand the ways of Egypt.

He would kill an Egyptian to protect a Hebrew. He would then flee to Midian to live as a shepherd for many years. The many years of shepherding would teach him humility. He would no longer be the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He would be the refugee, the shepherd, and the son-in-law of Jethro. But in God’s eyes, Moses was His instrument to deliver Israel from Egypt.

1. Moses visited his Hebrew brothers and saw their suffering. Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. After making sure that no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian. Moses’ desire to deliver his people was evident.

2. The next day, Moses tried being a peace-maker between two Hebrew. He found out that others knew of the killing incident. Pharaoh found out and decided to have Moses executed. Moses fled to Midian. Perhaps Pharaoh never approved of his daughter adopting Moses.

3. Moses defended seven women shepherds in a dispute against shepherds for water. Their father, Reuel, also known as Jethro, found out and invited Moses to stay. Reuel gave Zipporah to Moses as his wife. Moses had a son through her, Gershom.

Application

1. God many put in our hearts a glimpse of His plan but we must learn to be patient. Wait for God’s timing. Do not assume that we know God’s timing. We ought to take time to pray and meditate.

2. Not everyone might receive our contribution or goodwill. Others might even use it against us. Yet we must trust in God’s plan. God continuously unfolds His plan in each of our lives. Whether others will accept our goodwill or not, God’s plan will unveil.

3. Keep doing good to others. The seeds of goodwill might bear the fruit of blessings. God will bless us in His way and in His time. It might lead to God’s next phase in our lives.