Moses' Premature Effort
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.