Have you noticed how the record of Moses’ birth is short but the record of Exodus 2:2 uses a phrase that seems to carry special emphasis. “he was a goodly child”. Stephen describes Moses in Acts 7:20 as being “exceedingly fair”. Hebrews 11:23 reads that Moses was “a proper child”. The Greek word for proper is the same as fair in Acts 7:20.
Have you ever noticed that when scripture places emphasis on the birth and early years of a child it is because the individual is going to play a significant role in the purpose of Yahweh.
There was Samuel, Samson, John the Baptist, Jesus.
We often think when we read the record of Moses being hid by his parents when he was a baby that it was simply the love of mother wanting to protect her son. Yet we can not help but think that Amram and Jochebed may have received some sort of insight that this baby was going to play a role in the deliverance of Israel.
Could it be possible that they received a vision or a dream that this baby boy was the one? We are not told are we?
Hebrews 11:23 “by faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a proper child”?
Whose faith is being referred to? Amram and Jochebed’s?
We are told very little of the first 40 years of Moses’ life that he lived in Egypt. The best account we have is once again in Acts 7:21,22 Jochebed would no doubt taught Moses of the Jewish way of life and of the God of Israel. Of the promises that were made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and how the 400 year period was coming to a conclusion. Moses may have seen himself as a man of destiny, the one who would lead them out of Egypt.
Egypt at this time was the centre of culture and learning. Stephen reveals to us that Moses was a man of the age, he had the wisdom of Egypt, he was well spoken and it would appear that he was a leader. Scripture does not tell us, yet in Jewish secular history has recorded that Moses was a leader of the Egyptian military and won many significant battles. Moses was a prince in Egypt possibly next in line to the throne of Egypt. Moses had the world in the palm of his hand.
Stephen tells us that when Moses was 40 years old he had a desire to visit his people; his brothers and sisters. The Israelites. We need to be conscious, was not just a casual visit. Moses made a deliberate decision and it was not decision made by a thrill seeking teenager. Moses was 40 years old and he made a public declaration that he was going to associate himself with the Israelites. Heb. 11:24,25,26,27 Notice the terms used; “Choosing to suffer affliction”, “ the reproach of Christ”, “not fearing the wrath of the king” and “he endured”. Moses walked away from everything that Egypt had to offer. He did not want the patronage that his position entitled him to, quite different from those of our political leaders today. His Egyptian friends would have thought him to be crazy. The Pharaoh when he heard that Moses had killed an Egyptian and protected the Israelite wanted to kill Moses.
William Barcley in his commentary, New Testament Words in connection with Hebrews 11:26 wrote; “He had respect unto the recompence of the reward, or as the RSV renders it, he looked to the reward. The Greek term conveys the idea “to look away, or to turn one’s attention from everything that might distrace and to fix the gaze on one thing alone.”” Moses looked beyond the material things of his day to the things associated with Yahweh’s people, and Yahweh’s purpose. He had full confidence in the invisible God.
Moses may have felt that his action against the Egyptian would have been viewed as a rallying call to his people to follow him as a leader. His attempt to mediate between the two Israelites would have convinced him that this thought was not to be. He had thrown at him in Exodus 2:14 “Who made you a prince and a judge over us?” The lesson that Moses had to learn was that the Israelites were not going to be delivered by human strength and influence. He had to realize that if the Israelites were going to be delivered it was going to be according to Yahweh’s schedule and they would be delivered Yahweh’s way. At the age of 40 years Moses had not been groomed by Yahweh for the task of leading Israel. Moses may have been confused, possibly upset but the time was not right and he headed to Midian where the second 40 years of his life were lived.
The Divine hand lead Moses to the household of Jethro who would become his father-in-law. Once again we are not told, but there is a possibility that Jethro could have been a descendant of Abraham and Keturah through their son Midian. (Genesis 25:1,2 ) It is possible that Jethro was a worshipper of Yahweh and if this was the case Moses could have had a natural attraction to Jethro. But Moses never was really comfortable, never settled in Midian. When his first son was born in Exodus 2:22 we are told that the boy’s name was Gershom. There is a note in the King James margin that indicates that Gershom means “a stranger here”. It was while in the land Midian that Moses was groomed by Yahweh for the commission of leading Israel. We can not help but think that Moses had to learn patience and the importance of waiting on Yahweh’s schedule.
The call finally came in Exodus 3:10 But the man who responses to Yahweh’s call has changed from when he lived in Pharaoh’s house. He is no longer the man who was eloquent in speech and mighty in deeds. After 40 years in Midian he now needs the reassurance of Yahweh that He would be with him. Five times in Exodus 3 the phrase “I have sent thee” is used. Moses has come to the realization that it is Yahweh who is to bring Israel out of Egypt and not him. There is an amazing confession in Exodus 4:10. from the man who was raised as Pharaoh’s grandson, who was once mighty in words and deeds.
We may feel that Moses’ reluctance to take on the commission of leading Israel out of Egypt is showing a weak character. This would be a mistake. The way he presented himself in front of Pharaoh and how he lead the people of Israel show him as one of, if not the greatest man; other then Jesus, in the sight of Yahweh. Listen to the testimony that is given in Number 12 when Aaron and Miriam challenged the leadership of Moses’. This is the response of God. Exod 4:5-9 In verse 3 Moses is described as being meek. His reaction to the exhibited jealously of Aaron and Miriam truly illustrates the mind and spirit of the man as he prays for Miriam’s recovery from leprosy. He has no resentment, we do not see any bitterness. Instead we see a spirit of forgiveness. His primary interest was for the honour of his God and the welfare of the people who had been entrusted to him.
The Numbers account provides us an insight to the mind and spirit of Moses in chapter 11. In chapter 11 Moses was told that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp and Joshua was upset that the honour of Moses had been challenged. The result was that Joshua was rebuked. V 29 ESV “But Moses said to Joshua, Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” Moses’ action on behalf of the people of Israel and especially for his brother Aaron is another example of Moses’ suppression of any personal ambitions or goals in order that the glory of Yahweh might be the centre of focus. Exodus 32 is the record of the incident of the golden calf. Yahweh was ready to remove the people of Israel from the face of the earth and achieve His purpose by making from the descendants Moses a great nation. It would have been from a human perspective an offer that one could not refuse. What an honour for Moses. Yahweh from time to time tests His servants by placing them in a such a situation to develop unseen qualities they possess. To shape or mold the
individual into something or someone that He can use to accomplish His purpose. The response of Moses is stellar. His first thought is the honour of Yahweh. Exodus 32:9-14 What is significant is what the record of Exodus does not tell us. Moses recounts the episode of the golden calf in Deuteronomy 9 and reveals details not recorded in Exodus. Deuteronomy 9 reveals to us that Moses was afraid of how great the anger of Yahweh was at this time. Realizing the severity of the situation Moses immediately acted on behalf of the people of Israel and especially on behalf of his brother Aaron. Yahweh was prepared not only to destroy Israel but He was ready to remove all records of their existence. It was a desperate time brothers and sisters. It took a move of courage and of faith on the part of Moses to save both Israel and Aaron. It is difficult for us to fully appreciate just how desperate the situation was and possibly even the Deuteronomy record does not provide us a complete understanding. We have another passage of scripture where we are told what it took to remove the anger of Yahweh at this moment of time. Psalm 106 is an account of the exodus and in verse 23 we are told what it took. Psalm 106:23
The phrase “Moses stood before Yahweh in the breach” is truly staggering brothers and sisters in what it means. Yahweh gave strict instructions in Exodus 19 on how the people and the priests were to conduct themselves, so that He, Yahweh, would not break through and destroy Israel. The idea was that God would make a breach in the protective wall that surrounded them, He would break through and in anger and destroy them. This is what occurred to Uzzah when he put out his hand to steady the ark. The record in 2 Samuel 6:8 tells us that Yahweh made a breach on him and in His anger broke through and destroyed Uzzah. The anger of Yahweh due to Israel’s idolatry, in Exodus 32 had reached the boiling point, the judgments of God were about to be unleashed, a breach had been created. Moses at the last second stepped into that breach or filled that breach and the anger of Yahweh was turned away. We find it difficult to find appropriate words to describe the courage, the boldness of Moses. It is difficult to appreciate his understanding of the character of Yahweh that allowed him to make such an impulsive and dangerous decision to intercede on behalf of the people of Israel. Moses stepped into the breach, the welfare of the people entrusted to his care was paramount.
The final episode of his life illustrates just how remarkable a man Moses was. He was told in Numbers 20:12 “Because you did not believe me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them”. There had to be a disappointment that not many have ever felt. Yet again there was no bitterness or resentment in his heart. His continued and only thought was for the people entrusted to him, the people he lead for the last 40 years. Numbers 27:16-17 Moses was a true Sheppard and his primary thought was for the flock. In response to his plea Yahweh set Joshua over the people and it was to Joshua that the commission of bringing Israel into the Promised Land was given.
There has not been another individual, other then the Lord Jesus Christ, who had such a close and intimate relationship with Yahweh. Moses spoke to Yahweh face to face as one would speak with his friend. His one longing in life was to know God. “Now therefore, if I have found favour in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favour in your sight”. Exodus 33:13 His request to see the glory of Yahweh was granted. Yahweh said to Moses; “there is a place by me” Exod 33:21 and there hid in the cleft of the rock Yahweh allow all of His glory to pass by and declared His name to Moses. We may not have the same intimate relationship with Yahweh as Moses did, but in the Lord Jesus Christ, as have read this past week from Hebrews 10, we can approach His throne of grace with boldness and we also can have a place by Him, a fellowship, that through His word gives us an understanding of the character of our God so that we may come to know Him and like Moses treasure the eternal things that have been promised to those who love Him.
Amen
Have you ever noticed that when scripture places emphasis on the birth and early years of a child it is because the individual is going to play a significant role in the purpose of Yahweh.
There was Samuel, Samson, John the Baptist, Jesus.
We often think when we read the record of Moses being hid by his parents when he was a baby that it was simply the love of mother wanting to protect her son. Yet we can not help but think that Amram and Jochebed may have received some sort of insight that this baby was going to play a role in the deliverance of Israel.
Could it be possible that they received a vision or a dream that this baby boy was the one? We are not told are we?
Hebrews 11:23 “by faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a proper child”?
Whose faith is being referred to? Amram and Jochebed’s?
We are told very little of the first 40 years of Moses’ life that he lived in Egypt. The best account we have is once again in Acts 7:21,22 Jochebed would no doubt taught Moses of the Jewish way of life and of the God of Israel. Of the promises that were made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and how the 400 year period was coming to a conclusion. Moses may have seen himself as a man of destiny, the one who would lead them out of Egypt.
Egypt at this time was the centre of culture and learning. Stephen reveals to us that Moses was a man of the age, he had the wisdom of Egypt, he was well spoken and it would appear that he was a leader. Scripture does not tell us, yet in Jewish secular history has recorded that Moses was a leader of the Egyptian military and won many significant battles. Moses was a prince in Egypt possibly next in line to the throne of Egypt. Moses had the world in the palm of his hand.
Stephen tells us that when Moses was 40 years old he had a desire to visit his people; his brothers and sisters. The Israelites. We need to be conscious, was not just a casual visit. Moses made a deliberate decision and it was not decision made by a thrill seeking teenager. Moses was 40 years old and he made a public declaration that he was going to associate himself with the Israelites. Heb. 11:24,25,26,27 Notice the terms used; “Choosing to suffer affliction”, “ the reproach of Christ”, “not fearing the wrath of the king” and “he endured”. Moses walked away from everything that Egypt had to offer. He did not want the patronage that his position entitled him to, quite different from those of our political leaders today. His Egyptian friends would have thought him to be crazy. The Pharaoh when he heard that Moses had killed an Egyptian and protected the Israelite wanted to kill Moses.
William Barcley in his commentary, New Testament Words in connection with Hebrews 11:26 wrote; “He had respect unto the recompence of the reward, or as the RSV renders it, he looked to the reward. The Greek term conveys the idea “to look away, or to turn one’s attention from everything that might distrace and to fix the gaze on one thing alone.”” Moses looked beyond the material things of his day to the things associated with Yahweh’s people, and Yahweh’s purpose. He had full confidence in the invisible God.
Moses may have felt that his action against the Egyptian would have been viewed as a rallying call to his people to follow him as a leader. His attempt to mediate between the two Israelites would have convinced him that this thought was not to be. He had thrown at him in Exodus 2:14 “Who made you a prince and a judge over us?” The lesson that Moses had to learn was that the Israelites were not going to be delivered by human strength and influence. He had to realize that if the Israelites were going to be delivered it was going to be according to Yahweh’s schedule and they would be delivered Yahweh’s way. At the age of 40 years Moses had not been groomed by Yahweh for the task of leading Israel. Moses may have been confused, possibly upset but the time was not right and he headed to Midian where the second 40 years of his life were lived.
The Divine hand lead Moses to the household of Jethro who would become his father-in-law. Once again we are not told, but there is a possibility that Jethro could have been a descendant of Abraham and Keturah through their son Midian. (Genesis 25:1,2 ) It is possible that Jethro was a worshipper of Yahweh and if this was the case Moses could have had a natural attraction to Jethro. But Moses never was really comfortable, never settled in Midian. When his first son was born in Exodus 2:22 we are told that the boy’s name was Gershom. There is a note in the King James margin that indicates that Gershom means “a stranger here”. It was while in the land Midian that Moses was groomed by Yahweh for the commission of leading Israel. We can not help but think that Moses had to learn patience and the importance of waiting on Yahweh’s schedule.
The call finally came in Exodus 3:10 But the man who responses to Yahweh’s call has changed from when he lived in Pharaoh’s house. He is no longer the man who was eloquent in speech and mighty in deeds. After 40 years in Midian he now needs the reassurance of Yahweh that He would be with him. Five times in Exodus 3 the phrase “I have sent thee” is used. Moses has come to the realization that it is Yahweh who is to bring Israel out of Egypt and not him. There is an amazing confession in Exodus 4:10. from the man who was raised as Pharaoh’s grandson, who was once mighty in words and deeds.
We may feel that Moses’ reluctance to take on the commission of leading Israel out of Egypt is showing a weak character. This would be a mistake. The way he presented himself in front of Pharaoh and how he lead the people of Israel show him as one of, if not the greatest man; other then Jesus, in the sight of Yahweh. Listen to the testimony that is given in Number 12 when Aaron and Miriam challenged the leadership of Moses’. This is the response of God. Exod 4:5-9 In verse 3 Moses is described as being meek. His reaction to the exhibited jealously of Aaron and Miriam truly illustrates the mind and spirit of the man as he prays for Miriam’s recovery from leprosy. He has no resentment, we do not see any bitterness. Instead we see a spirit of forgiveness. His primary interest was for the honour of his God and the welfare of the people who had been entrusted to him.
The Numbers account provides us an insight to the mind and spirit of Moses in chapter 11. In chapter 11 Moses was told that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp and Joshua was upset that the honour of Moses had been challenged. The result was that Joshua was rebuked. V 29 ESV “But Moses said to Joshua, Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” Moses’ action on behalf of the people of Israel and especially for his brother Aaron is another example of Moses’ suppression of any personal ambitions or goals in order that the glory of Yahweh might be the centre of focus. Exodus 32 is the record of the incident of the golden calf. Yahweh was ready to remove the people of Israel from the face of the earth and achieve His purpose by making from the descendants Moses a great nation. It would have been from a human perspective an offer that one could not refuse. What an honour for Moses. Yahweh from time to time tests His servants by placing them in a such a situation to develop unseen qualities they possess. To shape or mold the
individual into something or someone that He can use to accomplish His purpose. The response of Moses is stellar. His first thought is the honour of Yahweh. Exodus 32:9-14 What is significant is what the record of Exodus does not tell us. Moses recounts the episode of the golden calf in Deuteronomy 9 and reveals details not recorded in Exodus. Deuteronomy 9 reveals to us that Moses was afraid of how great the anger of Yahweh was at this time. Realizing the severity of the situation Moses immediately acted on behalf of the people of Israel and especially on behalf of his brother Aaron. Yahweh was prepared not only to destroy Israel but He was ready to remove all records of their existence. It was a desperate time brothers and sisters. It took a move of courage and of faith on the part of Moses to save both Israel and Aaron. It is difficult for us to fully appreciate just how desperate the situation was and possibly even the Deuteronomy record does not provide us a complete understanding. We have another passage of scripture where we are told what it took to remove the anger of Yahweh at this moment of time. Psalm 106 is an account of the exodus and in verse 23 we are told what it took. Psalm 106:23
The phrase “Moses stood before Yahweh in the breach” is truly staggering brothers and sisters in what it means. Yahweh gave strict instructions in Exodus 19 on how the people and the priests were to conduct themselves, so that He, Yahweh, would not break through and destroy Israel. The idea was that God would make a breach in the protective wall that surrounded them, He would break through and in anger and destroy them. This is what occurred to Uzzah when he put out his hand to steady the ark. The record in 2 Samuel 6:8 tells us that Yahweh made a breach on him and in His anger broke through and destroyed Uzzah. The anger of Yahweh due to Israel’s idolatry, in Exodus 32 had reached the boiling point, the judgments of God were about to be unleashed, a breach had been created. Moses at the last second stepped into that breach or filled that breach and the anger of Yahweh was turned away. We find it difficult to find appropriate words to describe the courage, the boldness of Moses. It is difficult to appreciate his understanding of the character of Yahweh that allowed him to make such an impulsive and dangerous decision to intercede on behalf of the people of Israel. Moses stepped into the breach, the welfare of the people entrusted to his care was paramount.
The final episode of his life illustrates just how remarkable a man Moses was. He was told in Numbers 20:12 “Because you did not believe me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them”. There had to be a disappointment that not many have ever felt. Yet again there was no bitterness or resentment in his heart. His continued and only thought was for the people entrusted to him, the people he lead for the last 40 years. Numbers 27:16-17 Moses was a true Sheppard and his primary thought was for the flock. In response to his plea Yahweh set Joshua over the people and it was to Joshua that the commission of bringing Israel into the Promised Land was given.
There has not been another individual, other then the Lord Jesus Christ, who had such a close and intimate relationship with Yahweh. Moses spoke to Yahweh face to face as one would speak with his friend. His one longing in life was to know God. “Now therefore, if I have found favour in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favour in your sight”. Exodus 33:13 His request to see the glory of Yahweh was granted. Yahweh said to Moses; “there is a place by me” Exod 33:21 and there hid in the cleft of the rock Yahweh allow all of His glory to pass by and declared His name to Moses. We may not have the same intimate relationship with Yahweh as Moses did, but in the Lord Jesus Christ, as have read this past week from Hebrews 10, we can approach His throne of grace with boldness and we also can have a place by Him, a fellowship, that through His word gives us an understanding of the character of our God so that we may come to know Him and like Moses treasure the eternal things that have been promised to those who love Him.
Amen