Exodus 2 - Wells of Living Water Commentary

The Child Moses

Exodus 2:1-10

INTRODUCTORY WORDS

"God works in a mysterious way His wonders to perform." As this study opens, we find the Children of Israel in dire distress because of the rigor with which the Egyptians compelled them to serve. The lives of the Israelites were "bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field" where they were made to serve.

1. We have a lesson concerning childhood. Who would have thought that a little babe would be chosen of God to bring deliverance to Israel from the wrath of Pharaoh, yet even so it was. We remember how Christ said, "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones."

The Lord, in His earth-life, delighted to take the children in His arms. He blessed them, and He said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the Kingdom of God." He said again, "Whoso shall receive one such little child in My Name receiveth Me." He further said, "Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea."

This love of God toward the child is a message easily caught from the Scripture which will be developed today. The Lord Jesus went so far as to say, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." There was something about the simplicity of faith and the comforting trust of a child which appealed to the Lord.

2. We have a lesson concerning our Savior. When we think of the infant, Moses, hid by his mother from the wrath of Pharaoh, we cannot but remember how our Lord in after years was, Himself, hid under the Father's direction from the wrath of Herod. Moses was hidden in Egypt; Jesus Christ was hidden in Egypt. The Bible tells us of how our Lord grew "up before Him (the Father) as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground." There never was a moment during the life of our Lord that He was not under the tender and compassionate eye of His Heavenly Father.

3. We have a lesson concerning Fatherhood. Let us who are fathers consider God's attitude toward the infant Moses, and toward His own Son, in His infancy, that we may learn something of our responsibility to those whom God has given to us.

I. NORMAL LIFE IN THE FACE OF A KING'S WRATH (Exodus 2:1)

1. An inside picture from the finger of God. As we think of the agony brought upon Israel by Pharaoh's tyranny, we would very much like to pierce the darkness of those olden days and see how family life took its course. We read, "And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi." Here is a picture of family life facing the edict of the king without fear. The fact is that God said that Moses' parents feared not the wrath of the king. It was not that the king did not have power, but the eye of faith knew that God had more power. It was not because Pharaoh was not humanly able to break up every home by the death of the male children; but it was that God was Divinely able to stay the wrath of the king.

2. That which faces the family of today. We read in the Bible that Satan goeth about seeking whom he may devour. The sentence of death has been pronounced by the devil, and his supreme effort is to slay every son so far as any spiritual life or fellowship with the Father is concerned.

II. A GOODLY CHILD (Exodus 2:2)

1. A mother's eye of faith. We read in our key verse, "She saw him that he was a goodly child." In Hebrews we read that she saw that he was "a proper child." We doubt not that every mother believes that her child is "goodly," and some may believe that they are "proper." However, here was a woman who looked with an eye of faith. She was not a builder of glass houses, nor one who harbored fanciful dreams. She saw that her child was a child of destiny, a child elect of God, and she saw this with an eye of faith.

2. A mother who shielded her offspring. For three months she hid him from the wrath of Pharaoh. Somehow, or other, she knew, as faith always knows, that God was with her. She did not fear the wrath of the king because she believed in the power of God. Nevertheless, she did hide her child, and she hid him diligently. Faith is never reckless, but takes every wise and rightful precaution against Satan and his wiles.

Jesus Christ did not ruthlessly throw Himself into the face of danger. He had all power and knew no fear, and yet, when the Nazarenes would have cast Him down from the brow of the hill, He quietly withdrew Himself.

3. A mother who dedicated her child to God. We have no doubt whatsoever but that Moses' mother felt deeply the world conditions under which she moved. If she had the faith to fear not the king, she had also the heart to present her offspring to her Lord. She felt that all she was and all she had belonged to God.

All is on the altar laid

With no reservations made,

All in all;

Never more mine own to be,

For Thy Blood hath purchased me,

Happily I follow Thee

At Thy call.

III. AN IMPROVISED SHIELD (Exodus 2:3)

When Jochebed, Moses' mother, found it impossible to hide her child any longer, then it was that she took "an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink."

1. We wonder if she did not think, as she prepared the tiny ark, of that greater ark which housed Noah and his family against the ravages of the flood. We wonder if she had any conception of that which comes to our minds of how we are all safely shielded in the ark, Christ Jesus.

2. We should prepare the ark of prayer. In our day the family altar is all but depleted and broken down. Does the home not need an ark of prayer in which to shield its children from a world filled with temptation and sin, and from Satan who seeks to devour?

3. We should prepare the ark of an holy example. Too many parents are living any kind of life before their children. We need not to say, "Do this" or "Do that." We need to live out in holy words and deeds, the doctrine we profess.

IV. A BABE DELIVERED TO DEATH (Exodus 2:3, l.c.)

Here is one of the striking statements of Scripture; speaking of the ark which Moses' mother had made we read "she laid it in the flags by the river's brink."

1. The river stood for death. We remember how Pharaoh had charged his people that every son that was born was to be cast into the river. Is it not strange, therefore, that the mother of Moses placed her ark in the flags by the river's brink? Evidently she had no fear of the king's command. Evidently her faith was not afraid to face the waters which were supposedly to effect her child's death.

2. The ark was an emblem of security from death. We have a babe in the river of death, yet securely housed against death. Once more our minds go to the ark which Noah built. It, too, was placed in the waters of destruction. The very waves which overflowed the earth, even to the top of the highest mountains, however, did no more than to bear up the ark in safety. Thus it is that in the midst of death we are in life. That which means certain death to those out of Christ, means certain life to those who are in Christ, He took our death and the waters passed over Him; therefore we are borne up in the power of His resurrection life.

3. The basis of her faith. To Moses' mother the fears of the river were allayed by the fact of an ark which bore up her child. We can almost see Abraham as he took his own son, Isaac, out to the place of death and of sacrifice. As he was about to go he said to the young men, Tarry here, and "I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." Abraham even prepared the altar, placed Isaac upon the wood. He lifted his hand to slay his son. He did all of this believing that though he slew him he should yet receive him alive. The Bible says he received him from the dead in a figure. In these days of death and destruction about us, let us have the faith of resurrection life and glory.

V. WAITING UPON GOD (Exodus 2:4)

After the mother of Moses had blessed her child in the ark and committed it to the river, Moses' sister stood afar off to see what would be done to him. Faith had gone as far as faith could see. Now from her distant place Miriam watched. From her home farther away the mother of Moses prayed. The wrath of king Pharaoh was unabated, and the waters of the Nile which had claimed so many of the Hebrews' sons had lost none of their power. However, a mother and a daughter, who could no longer see, trusted on. They had done what they could. They depended upon God to do the rest.

1. Thus it was that Abraham led Isaac forth. He knew not how Isaac, who was about to be delivered to death, could return with him to the young men, but he knew that he would return. All that his human eye could see was an altar built, the wood placed in order, a knife upraised, and a writhing, dying son; but faith saw more. It saw God able to deliver. Abraham also stood waiting and anticipating what would happen. And what did happen? A ram was soon discovered, caught by its horns in the thicket. This ram was then offered in the stead of his son.

2. Thus we go forth. The wages of sin is death, and yet we are not afraid. The curse of God against sin has been pronounced. However, during the centuries saints have stood off to see what would happen. They did, of course, have the promise that Christ would go forth to die, and they stood by to see what would happen. In the case of Moses, something wonderful happened, and this will be brought out by the next division.

VI. THE DIVINE PROVISION (Exodus 2:5-9)

From a distant viewpoint Miriam watched. In the home, the parents prayed and waited as they prayed. It will be interesting to see what happened.

1. Pharaoh's daughter enters the scene. Down to the river, accompanied by her maidens, she came to wash herself. Her maidens protectingly walked along the river's side. By and by Pharaoh's daughter caught sight of the ark, and she sent her maidens to fetch it. Little did they realize that they were moving step by step under a Divine commission. Little did Pharaoh's daughter realize that she was to play the part of a savior to a babe destined to death.

2. The babe's cry. We read that when Pharaoh's daughter had opened the lid of the ark that "she saw the child; and, behold, the babe wept." Here was another step in this Divinely ordered episode. The cry of a little child is appealing. Its innocency, its helplessness, and its plea touched the heart of the daughter of Pharaoh. A woman's sympathy was brought to play, and we read that "she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children."

The daughter of Pharaoh knew the orders of her father that the baby should be thrown into the waters and drowned. However, she rescued the child.

3. A mother's care. The time had come for faith to act. Miriam hurried down from her place of hiding. She quickly proposed, what had evidently been pre-planned, that she should go and call a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for the king's daughter. The daughter of Pharaoh acquiesced It was thus in the providence of God that Moses' mother was hired to nurse her own babe until it should be grown sufficiently old to be delivered to Pharaoh's daughter. Once more we say, "God works in a mysterious way His wonders to perform."

VII. THE PERSECUTOR MADE A PROTECTOR (Exodus 2:10)

We now find the child, Moses, delivered unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son.

1. The importance of his name. Pharaoh's daughter called his name "Moses" "and she said, Because I drew him out of the water." She thought that she had saved the child, and so she had. Little, however, did she realize that her arms were none other than the arms of God, that back of her rescue was the all-rescuing prayer-answering and faith-responding Jehovah.

Have not we, too, been drawn out of the water? Were we not consigned to death? The Word of God says: "I, if I be lifted up * * will draw all men unto Me."

We have not only been drawn unto Him, but we have been drawn out of the waters of death and of hell. We are saved with an everlasting salvation, and safe in His arms.

2. Pharaoh's home afforded protection from Pharaoh's wrath. Once more we stand amazed at the prowess of the eternal God. The man who had consigned the sons of the Hebrews to death in the river drew out from the river of death the greatest of Israel's sons. Not only that, but the hand that sought to destroy that son, guarded him and protected him during the years of his growth. Pharaoh, himself, prepared Moses, from every human viewpoint, to be the deliverer of the Israelites.

We read in the Bible that Moses was taught in all of the learning of the Egyptians. Where could God's deliverer have been better trained than in the home, under the tutelage of Pharaoh's daughter and of Pharaoh, himself? Pharaoh, therefore, unwittingly was working out his own undoing. In what he thought was his kingly sagacity to keep Israel as his vassals, he was paving the way for the deliverance of the people whom he so greatly desired to hold as his slaves.

Too hard for God? Nay, it cannot so be,

There is nothing, hard, too hard, for Thee.

AN ILLUSTRATION

"Mother, you have forgotten my soul," said little Anna, three years old, as her mother was about to lay her in bed. She had just risen from repeating the Lord's Prayer. "But, mother, you have forgotten my soul!" "What do you mean, Anna?" "Why

'Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;

And if I die before I wake,

I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.'

We have not said that" The child meant nothing more, yet her words were startling. How many mothers, busy hour after hour fashioning pretty garments and caring for the bodies of their little ones, forget their souls. Sunday at Home.

The Daughters of the Old Testament

Exodus 2:1-10

INTRODUCTORY WORDS

Among the daughters of the Old Testament we have chosen to present to you Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, and the sister of Ahaziah.

1. The wrath of Athaliah. When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, discovered that her son was slain, she arose and slew all the seed royal. At least, she thought she had so done. However, in 2 Kings 11:2, we read: "But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain."

There is a sad story connected with the promise which God made to Eve that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head. We know that the Son of God, our Saviour, and our Lord, was that destined Seed. From time immemorial, therefore, Satan sought to corrupt, or to slay the sons, born to any woman of the royal line from Abraham, and David, if perhaps, he might thereby make impossible the coming of the Son of God, and thereby break the promise of the Most High.

When Cain was born Eve evidently thought that the Seed had come, but she was wrong, for Cain was "of that wicked one." Then when Abel was born the devil entered into Cain, and slew Abel. However, the Seed came through the third son, Seth.

In the vast increases of population Satan must have lost all trace of the seed through which Christ should come. Perhaps, it was for this cause that he sought to destroy the whole earth through corrupting the whole race. However, God saved Noah and his family that through him the line of the Seed from Adam to Christ, might be sustained. After Noah; once more Satan lost the line of the Seed until God spoke to Abraham. Then against Sarah, who was to be mother to the promised child, every power of darkness was centered. Finally, through the years, David was born. The promise was made to him that the seed of the woman, the Saviour, would come through the Davidic line. Satan, therefore, began attacking the lineage of David, but made his attack upon the royal sons.

It was thus, when, in our study today, Athaliah rose up to slay all the seed royal, that Satan, doubtless, thought that he had accomplished the feat which he had been longing to accomplish from the Garden itself. However, he utterly failed.

2. A woman who loved the Lord. Jehosheba was a daughter of royalty, and also a sister of royalty, yet, she had married a priest. Perhaps, many thought this was a great come down for her, but to us it was a great blessing.

Many young women who are devoted to the Lord find their sphere of service enlarged, and not hindered, when they marry some minister of the Truth. Jehosheba not only married a priest, but she herself manifested her devotion and her faith in the Lord.

When Joash was about to be slain she became, by the grace of God, the one who shielded the seed royal from the wrath of Athaliah, and from the strategies of Satan. The infant, Joash, was hid six years with his nurse in the house of the Lord, Athaliah thought him dead, and when at last he was acclaimed king, she cried out in despair that treason had taken place against her, and her kingdom. Here is a daughter who was a protector of Jesus Christ, and who served the Almighty in preserving, from the human viewpoint, the one through whom our Lord obtains His right to David's throne. Thank God for such a daughter!

I. DINAH, THE DAUGHTER OF JACOB AND LEAH (Genesis 30:21; Genesis 34:1)

1. Unhallowed relationships. The 34th chapter of Genesis begins a sad story. The opening verse reads, "And Dinah the daughter of Leah, * * went out to see the daughters of the land."

Jacob was dwelling in tents in the region of Shechem. However, he and his family had no contact with the people of Shechem. In the home of Jacob was one of his children, named Dinah. Her name means "judgment." This girl was not satisfied to live a separated, tent life. She saw the daughters of Shechem as they moved about, perhaps, on their walks around the city of Shechem. They were dressed in the garments of the world. They carried with them a godless freedom of approach and of mien, of which Dinah knew nothing. Dinah was allured by them, and when her brothers were off with their flocks, she slipped away from home, and went out to see the daughters of the land.

2. The sad results of world-mixing. Beloved, when we remember this event in the life of Dinah, which occurred more than seventeen hundred years ago, we cannot but feel that God has in it a tremendous message to the young people of today. How often do they go out to see the daughters of the world! Many of them, although they have made their tryst with Jesus Christ, are accustomed to mix and mingle in the paths of the world where its pleasures and pastimes are altogether out of place for one who is called to dwell outside the camp with Christ.

Satan has no greater ambition than to draw the children of God away from fidelity to their first love. The Laodicean age has come, at last, and Baalim's advice to Balak is Satan's effort today. Satan still seeks to entice God's Dinahs to go after the ways of the world.

II. ASENATH THE DAUGHTER OF THE PRIEST OF ON (Genesis 41:45)

Our key text reads, "And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On."

1. The story of a remarkable youth. Joseph was a very promising young man. He had been resold into Egypt by traders to whom he was first sold by his brethren. In his early life in Egypt he resisted every appeal of the flesh, and, rather than yield to evil enticements, he allowed himself to be despised and cast into prison.

God, however, was with Joseph and delivered Mm. The king of Egypt (to whom Joseph revealed his dream, and to whom Joseph also gave advice about the storing of grain), saw in Joseph a most remarkable man. Pharaoh was unwilling to give God the glory for Joseph's deeds; and yet he felt that such an one should, as early as possible, be amalgamated by Egypt, and by the king. It was for this cause that Pharaoh gave to Joseph, Asenath to wife.

2. A misdirected marriage. Asenath was a heathen, and an idol worshiper. The result of the marriage was that Joseph soon became more or less assimilated by Egypt. When his sons were born he called the first one Manasseh, "for God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house."

God grant that our young men may never allow themselves to have as partners in life, women who are distinctive-ly worldly. The after-life of both Manasseh and Ephraim, who were born to Joseph in Egypt, show that Joseph made a great mistake in marrying Asenath.

III. PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER (Acts 7:21)

Pharaoh's daughter found her way into the New Testament testimony more than once. We are ready to grant that she was a remarkable character although she, herself, was a heathen, and the daughter of a heathen king.

1. Another Pharaoh had arisen. The Pharaoh who was the father of the young woman of whom we now seek to study was not the Pharaoh of Joseph's day. The Pharaoh who reigned when Moses was born had nothing but hatred against the people of Israel, whom the former Pharaoh had succored and sheltered. At the time of our lesson, the anathema of the king against the Children of Israel had gone forth, and he ordered that every male child should be slain.

2. A heathen daughter who possessed a woman's heart. This is what happened when the daughter of king Pharaoh went down to the river to bathe. She heard the cry of a little babe. Immediately she was attracted, and ordered that the babe should be brought to her.

As her eyes fell upon the innocent little one, she saw that one of the Hebrew boy babies lay before her. She did not ruthlessly order that her father's command should be obeyed, and that the child should be cast into the river. She shielded and protected the little one.

In this Pharaoh's daughter was distinctively human. Even a heathen girl seemed to have a mother's heart. She was more than touched by the cry of the babe. She even manifested a marked wisdom in the child's protection and care, when she quickly assented to the suggestion of the Hebrew girl, who appeared, and sent the child away to be nursed until it was weaned. Afterward, when the child was in her own home, she gave it every training that Egypt could afford.

In all of this she was but preparing this child of destiny to be God's deliverer of the Children of Israel.

IV. ORPAH (Ruth 1:14-15)

1. We have before us a daughter of opportunity. She was a Moabitess who worshiped heathen gods. However, into her city, and afterward into her heart-life, there came four covenant children of God, from the land of Bethlehem-Judah, These strangers who came to sojourn in Moab brought to Orpah and also to Ruth a message concerning God, His glory and His might, such as Orpah had never heard. It was not long until she was married into this Israelitish family.

2. We have before us a daughter who went part of the way. We have no doubt but that Orpah, when she became the wife of this son of Israel, at least, acquiesced to his religious convictions. Not only that, but when her husband was dead, she still clung to Naomi her mother-in-law, and went with Naomi even to the borders of Moab.

3. We have before us a daughter who turned back. Our verse is very striking. It reads: "And Orpah kissed her mother in law." Afterward Naomi said to Ruth, "Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods."

It was for this cause that we said that Orpah had come part of the way, because she went back to her gods. It is unspeakably sad when a Christian who has heard of the Word of Truth, and has known of the love of a Savior, turns back to the world.

V. JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER (Judges 12:1-15)

1. The daughter of a mighty father. Jephthah judged Israel. He judged under God's leadership. He was a mighty man because of his deliverance of the chosen race from their enemies.

In the New Testament his name is enrolled among the heroes of the faith, that wonderful star-cluster which we have in Hebrews 11:1-40. Thus we are studying today about the daughter of a man who was great in Israel.

2. A daughter who rejoiced in her father's victories. When Jephthah came home from the battle wherein God had given him so marvelous a victory, his daughter went out rejoicing, singing, and playing timbrels.

Should not every girl be interested in her father's welfare, and rejoice in her father's accomplishments? Some, alas, have turned away from the faith which had been taught to them in their early years, and at their father's knee.

3. A daughter willing to pay her father's vow. When Jephthah went out to meet the enemy and to lead the battle, he said something like this: If God will give me the victory, I will dedicate unto Him forever the first member of my home which cometh forth to meet me.

Jephthah's vow might have been a foolish vow. Nevertheless, it was made in all sincerity, and it was faithfully kept. When the daughter was the first to go forth to meet her father, she saw her father's sorrow. Then, when she was told by him of his vow, the first effect upon her was that she bewailed her lot. However, she did not hesitate. She even urged upon her father that she was willing to do even as he had vowed unto God.

Thus it was that Jephthah's daughter bemoaned her lot for two months, and then, as we see it, she went out to the house of God. She never married. She never appeared before the world, but, as an ascending offering unto God, she gave her whole life in His service. God give us many such daughters! They may at first hesitate, and yet they will give up father, mother, brother, sister, and all, to go forth for the Lord.

VI. MICHAL, THE DAUGHTER OF SAUL (1 Samuel 14:49; 1 Samuel 18:20-22; 2 Samuel 6:16; 2 Samuel 6:21; 2 Samuel 6:23)

1. Seeking great things for herself. Whatever else may be said of Michal she was self-centered and self-proud. When David went to the slaughter of Goliath and came back a hero, admired of all, Michal lost her heart to him. She was the king's daughter, and, therefore, she wanted some one who was noble and great In the eyes of the people. She desired to live "in the limelight," in the popular phrase. She wanted the praise of the world, and she wanted the one whom she married to be the world's idol.

2. Her perfidy. It was not long after their marriage until David was despised by Michal, because Saul set his face to destroy David. Then, she turned with ready mind to Phalti, whom her father gave her as husband. David was cast off because he was in disgrace. The one whom she next wedded, was in honor and glory. Once more she sought the things which would bring herself honor and power, and cast aside with ruthlessness the man whom God loved.

3. Her great sorrow. Finally, when Saul and Jonathan were dead in battle, and David was restored to glory and became king, then her heart became open to him again, and she, who had left him, desired to return. However, when she saw David bringing back the ark, she (who had never yet turned from her idols), was disgusted, and she complained to David that he had made himself common as he danced with sacred joy before the ark of the Lord, David quickly told her that whether he was despised, or admired, his God was his all in all.

From that day David refused Michal and she moaned her lot.

VII. A CAPTIVE DAUGHTER (2 Kings 5:2)

1. Carried away by the Syrian band. A little girl who had wandered into the woods away from her home was caught by a marauding band of Syrians who were roaming the outskirts of her village. She may have gone to pick flowers. She certainly wandered in innocent play.

This little maid was carried captive to Syria, and given to the captain of the armies of that land, to be a maid to his wife.

2. A sympathetic maid. The next we see of this captive daughter is that she was waiting on Naaman's wife. Naaman was a great man; he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. The little Jewish maid saw the shadow that hung over the home; she saw the sorrow of her mistress, and of her master, and her heart was pained.

3. A daughter devoted to her God. This little maid, this daughter of Israel, finally got the courage to speak to Naaman's wife. She said, "Would God that my lord were with the Prophet which is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy."

Did ever a daughter express a deeper faith in her God and in the Prophet of her God, than did this little maid express? Her faith seemed to have weight. The king said to Naaman, "Go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel." The story which follows tells of the remarkable healing of Naaman. While the Bible does not say so, we feel sure that when Naaman came home, he was told more and more of the glory of God by this little maid, and that he himself encouraged her likewise in her faith in Jehovah. Perhaps, as a reward for her faithfulness, he returned her to her parents in Israel.

AN ILLUSTRATION

Orpah had the hour of her decision and she went back to her gods.

Max Muller tells a story from Indian legend of a Sabara, or wild man of the woods, who stole the infant son of a native king and carried him off to his own forest dwelling. The boy, as he grew, believed that the Sabara was his father; he lived the same wild life, subsisted on roots and on the spoils of the chase, and had no thought beyond the coarse interests that lay within his narrow and savage horizon.

The prime minister, however, after years of patient search at last found the boy. He told him that the Sabara was not his father, and had no right to him whatever. He spoke to him of the king, and described the splendors of the palace that was his home. No further argument was needed. When the lad learned that he was the son of a king, and that he might return to his inheritance, the truth made him free; he left his haunts in the forest, and went home to his father's house.

The story illustrates the great fact of conversion. Man is God's child, created in the Father's image, and nothing that can happen to him can ever alter that wonderful fact. He may be ignorant of this relationship; he may not know his Father; he may yield allegiance to sin and the world; but the fact of his sonship remains. He may wander far and he may wander long, but he never can get beyond the reach of the Father's love that fills and embraces all things.

The Gospel is the good tidings of this relationship Rev. R. P. Anderson.

Moses' Premature Effort

Exodus 2:11-25

INTRODUCTORY WORDS

Acts 7:1-60 tells us that Moses was forty years of age when he sought to deliver Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh. We wish, therefore, to base our remarks upon a Scripture found in Hebrews 11:24-27 which covers this period. There are several vital things for us to consider.

1. The decision of a matured man. When Moses stepped forth from the house of Pharoah he did not do it as a mere child, unable to weigh the full meaning of his acts, He had now come to years. Educationally his preparation for life had been completed. Morally he stands before us unimpeachable. Spiritually, in spite of his contact with Egyptian unbelief and God-denials, he is a man of faith. His surroundings and his worldly accomplishments by no means dimmed his vision of God. The Holy Spirit bears record thus: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years."

2. The decisions of Moses outlined. May we tabulate them for you?

1. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

2. He chose to suffer affliction with the people of God.

3. He refused to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

4. He esteemed the reproach of Christ as greater than treasures of Egypt.

5. He had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

6. He forsook Egypt.

7. He endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

The pleasures of sin lay out before Moses in a most appealing fashion. Moses saw, however, that such things lasted for a season, and he decided definitely to take his place with the children of God, and to suffer affliction with them rather than to enjoy passing pleasures.

Moses even reckoned the reproach of Christ as of greater value than all the treasures of Egypt. All of this was made possible because Moses looked down through the years to the hour of Christ's revealing, and he had respect unto that recompense of reward which Christ will then bring.

Weighing everything thoroughly, Moses forsook Egypt. He forsook it with an unwavering faith. He forsook it, not fearing the wrath of the king. Perhaps, the statement that overshadows all of the others is the one that explains why Moses endured. We read, "He endured, as seeing Him who is invisible."

Faith looks past the things seen into the things which are not seen, past the king and the king's daughter to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." God grant that each of us as we come to years may have this same remarkable and unchallengeable faith.

I. MOSES UNDER TRAINING (Exodus 2:11, f.c.)

The statement we wish you to notice first of all is this one: "And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown." Entering this study we stand at the close of the first period when Moses was forty years of age. There were forty more years, however, required before God thrust Moses out into his great lifework. We sometimes think that God does not move fast enough. Nevertheless, when God moves, He sees that everything is made ready. The period of training is a vital period. God has given us a warning in the Bible which runs thus: "Lay hands suddenly on no man." One thing we know: Moses was a thoroughly prepared man.

1. The first forty years in the king's house. During these years Moses was educated in all the skill and wisdom of the Egyptians. There are various stories afloat of his prowess as a soldier and leader among the hosts of Pharaoh. This all played a large part in the great task to which Moses in after years was called.

2. The second forty years in the fields of Midian. These years were necessary in order that Moses' self-life might be conquered, and that his spirit-life might be trained.

II. RUNNING WITHOUT BEING SENT (Exodus 2:11, l.c.-12)

1. A burning indignation. As Moses came to years he was accustomed to go among his brethren. He looked on them as they labored under their burdens. He espied the rigor with which they served; he was stirred by the cruelty of the Egyptian taskmasters. Moses might have followed the attitude of many of our own day, and might have said, "What is that to me?" He, at least, was well housed and groomed in the palace of the king. Why should he worry? Yet, he did worry. He made his brethren's difficulties his own. In all of this we cannot but think of the Lord Jesus Christ who took our sorrows and suffered and bore our pains.

2. A sympathetic alignment. Moses decided that he would suffer affliction with his people, that he would get down among them and make their troubles his. We cannot fail to remember the story of the good Samaritan on the Jericho Road. Seeing a Jew smitten, robbed, and lying half dead, he immediately went to the rescue pouring ointment upon his wounds, covering his nakedness, and placing him upon his own beast, and taking him to the inn.

3. A wrong position. Moses' heart was so stirred by his people's need that he thought they would appreciate any effort of his in their behalf. This is the way Stephen put it in Acts 7:23-25, speaking of Moses: "And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the Children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: for he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not." This must have been a great blow to Moses. When our good intentions are misunderstood, unappreciated, and even repulsed, it always hurts. There is no doubt but that it hurt Moses.

III. THE REJECTED DELIVERER (Exodus 2:13-14)

1. The twofold unpreparedness. When Moses saw that he was repulsed, his heart, no doubt, sank within him. Perhaps Moses did not then understand, but in after years he comprehended that he was not yet prepared to lead the Children of Israel out from under Pharaoh's tyranny. Moses was a man of great faith, but he was also a man hasty in his actions, When he saw the Egyptians wrongfully smiting one of his brethren, he hurried into the fray to avenge his brother.

Moses did not tarry to weigh the effect of the deed. He hastily looked this way and that way, and then he jumped into the melee. A real leader never acts on the impulses of a moment. He sleeps upon his purposes and impressions. He lays them before God. He seeks to find out whether he is walking in the energy of the flesh, or under the guidance of the Spirit. There is a time when delay is disastrous. That time is when God has spoken, and a conviction is settled.

2. Israel was not ready to receive help. Israel was less prepared than was Moses. The people evidently were jealous of one of their race who was living in the lap of luxury and enjoying every comfort, while they were driven by taskmasters. Deep in their sub-conscious minds there was envy and jealousy and condemnation of Moses; therefore, when Moses leaped in and slew an Egyptian, and the next day sought to correct two Hebrews who strove together, instead of rallying to him, they slurringly remarked: "Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?"

This attitude of Israel toward Moses reminds us in after years of the Jews, in their attitude toward Christ, who had, of course, not run before He was sent.

IV. FAITH AND FEAR IN COMBAT (Portions of Exodus 2:12; Exodus 2:14-15)

The portions of these verses which we wish you to read are these: Exodus 2:12, "And he looked this way and that." Exodus 2:14, "And Moses feared, and said, surely this thing is known." Exodus 2:15, "But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh."

1. He who follows Christ should not look this way and that fearing what men might do unto him. The child of God should let his eyes look right on. He should run his race "looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of [his] faith." Peter said unto Christ, "And what shall this man do?" The Lord answered, "What is that to thee? Follow thou Me." On another occasion we read that when Peter saw the winds and the waves boisterous he began to sink. Moses had faith we know, but his faith was hindered by his fear of the king.

2. He who follows Christ should not fear the king. Moses was afraid of Pharaoh. He said, "Surely this thing is known." He fled from the face of Pharaoh. For our part, we are sure that this fear was only a temporary fear, for the Holy Spirit bears witness that "By faith he forsook Egypt." What this means is that Moses' deeper motives were his willingness to leave everything for God.

In the months preceding this rash and hasty action on the part of Moses he had already come to a matured purpose to leave Pharaoh and Pharaoh's wealth and power. He had decided definitely that he was done forever with Egypt. It was for this that the Spirit said, "By faith he forsook Egypt."

In his inner heart he had left Egypt long before. Now he actually left it because he was afraid. His fear, however, did not last. His faith did last.

V. MOSES BY A WELL IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN (Exodus 2:15, l.c.-18)

We now are carried in mind to a quiet and pastoral scene. One moment we see Moses fleeing from the face of Pharaoh; the next moment we see him sitting by a well. How great is the contrast between the two countries, and how different the two spirits which dominated Moses. In the land of Midian, Moses had far better opportunities to hear the voice of God. In the rest of his own spirit he was far better prepared to receive what God might speak.

1. At the well in Midian Moses proved himself a protector. As he sat there, the daughters of the priest of Midian came out to water their father's flock. Other shepherds, however, came up with their flocks and drove the girls away. Immediately Moses stood up and helped them. To us this is a beautiful picture. The man who rushed in to help his own people had not lost in his flight and discouragement the spirit which dominated his nature. He who came to the rescue of his brethren of old, now came to the rescue of some women who had been roughly pushed aside by the shepherds.

2. At the well in Midian Moses showed himself a true helper. He not only drove off the shepherds, but he also drew water enough for the daughters to water their flocks. In all of this Moses portrayed the spirit of our Lord as He moved among men. Jesus Christ was a Protector and a Helper. How many are they whom He delivered from the hands of the enemy!

VI. MOSES IN JETHRO'S HOME (Exodus 2:19-22)

1. Comfortably domiciled. God hath said that whosoever shall leave father and mother and brother and sister, and houses, and lands for His sake shall have fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, houses and lands. He who left Egypt found Midian. He who refused to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter became the husband of the daughter of the priest of Midian. He came out, that he might enter in. He lost that he might find. In the home of the priest of Midian he did not have the luxury, the pleasures, or the riches which were his in the home of Pharaoh. However, he had something far better: he had peace with God and with men.

2. Faithfully shepherdizing. How beautiful is the sight described of Moses keeping the flocks of Jethro, his father-in-law. Jesus Christ was a shepherd of the sheep. He knew His own sheep; He called them by name, and He led them forth. We believe that Moses, as a shepherd of the sheep, learned many a lesson of that greater task of shepherdizing which fell his lot when he led one and a half million people out of Egypt. In the flocks of his father-in-law he learned to protect his sheep from their enemy. He learned to select for them the best of pasture, and he learned to lead them by the still waters. Thus was the shepherd-heart of Moses strengthened.

3. Happily married. It was during the period of Moses' rejection by his own people and his absence from them that he married Zipporah, the daughter of the priest of Midian. It was during the time of our Lord's rejection, of His presence in the far country that He had secured a Gentile Bride. This Gentile Bride will become His own before He returns to His chosen people.

VII. GOD'S WATCHFUL EYE (Exodus 2:23-24)

1. The king's death. We read in Exodus 2:23, "And it came to pass in the process of time, that the king of Egypt died." Even kings must succumb to the ravages of death. Of all who have ever lived, with the exception of two, it may be truthfully written, "He lived and he died."

What were all of the glories of Egypt unto Pharaoh? What was the value of his power and his kingship as he lay there in death? Let us remember that the things of earth, no matter how alluring, must sooner or later fade and pass away.

2. The people's groaning. Exodus 2:23 tells us that "the Children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage." They had for many years groaned under their burdens, but now they began to cry unto God. Sometimes we wonder how it was that God allowed them those eighty years of anguish.

We are sure of one thing; that the moment the people were subdued in spirit, willing to follow God, and to be led forth, God heard their prayer. Sometimes the way seems long and difficult, and we wonder if God ever will come to the rescue, but there is no doubt but that God is always ready to help.

3. The listening ear. Exodus 2:24 says, "And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham" etc. Exodus 2:25 adds, "And God looked upon the Children of Israel, and God had respect unto them."

Here are four vital statements: God heard, God remembered, God looked, God had respect. The first shows that our God is a prayer-hearing God; the second shows that our God is a covenant-keeping God; the third statement describes God as the omniscient God who sees and knows us all. The final statement proclaims God as the God who cares. He not only hears, not only sees, but He has respect.

AN ILLUSTRATION

PRIMING

At first Moses failed afterward he succeded "A lower degree of faith maketh way for a higher, as the pruning of the wood maketh it receptive of other colors." Painters often use a paint at the first which is to be the preparation for quite another color; red is commonly thus employed. So, in the work of grace, there may come first a dogmatical faith (as Manton calls it), which receives the doctrine of the Word of God as truth. This does not save the soul, but it is a needful preparative for that receptive and trusting faith, by which salvation is actually received. Dogmatic faith is the priming upon which faith of a saving color is laid by the Master-workman. * * Faith cometh by hearing. Hence the value of all healthy moral influence, instruction, and example. None of these can save, but they may lead up to salvation. The paralyzed man was not cured by his friends, or by the bed, or by the ropes, but these brought him where Jesus was, and so he was healed. Make a man sober, and he is ail the more likely to mind the preacher's admonitions: give him the power to read, and he may study the Scriptures. These things are not grace, but they may be stepping-stones to grace: they are not the permanent color, but only the priming; yet it would never do to neglect them for that reason. Chas, H. Spurgeon.