In life, career, relationships and even spiritually, time is crucial. Many times, everything we wish to achieve has its own time frame, however, “God’s timing” has a different blueprint altogether. Trusting, having patience and preparing are some of the values we stand to learn from Moses’ impatience and God’s timing in Exodus 2:11-23.
Our passage today helps us remember that, despite unpleasant waits, God is always working. We are now going to see how the life of Moses embodies the transformative phase of rash actions to quiet preparations, all the while stunningly illustrating God’s timing and its relevance to us in modern times.
Also Read Presbyterian vs Baptist – Discover the Core Beliefs and Traditions
1. Moses’ Impatience A Lesson of Acting Faster Than You Should
A Single Event That Disrupted Everything
Being an Egyptian prince, Moses understood being an Israelite was part of his identity. On one specific day, he saw an Egyptian hit an Israelite slave. His anger was so overwhelming, he murdered the Egyptian and buried him in the sand (Exodus 2:12).
Moses had high hopes he would single handedly help free the Israelites but, just like a new leader, he ended up being shunned:
“Who made you a ruler and judge over us?” – Exodus 2:14
Unquestionably, this case clearly depicts a reality where endeavors made before God’s timing can lead one to endless frustration.
Moses was a man seeking justice, but the Lord had a better plan that needed time and preparation.
The Consequences of Rushing Ahead
Moses chose to act single-handedly, which got him into exile. Moses’ life was in danger from the Pharaoh to the point where he packed started running toward Midian. He ended up spending the next forty years in the region as a shepherd. This phase of exile was not a punishment, but a much-needed phase of soaking.
Impatience has its costs. Just like Moses, it is easy to contend that when we step ahead of God’s timing, we tend to lose more than we need to overcome. It is irrespective of whether we put this into consideration in regard to relationships, career, or even in ministry. Blowing with the wind too needlessly will leave one stranded is frustration and failure.
Also Read Do Dogs Go to Heaven or Just Disappear? The Truth You Need to Know!
2. The Power of God’s Timing Preparation, Not Punishment
Why Did God Make Moses Wait 40 Years?
The first glance of 40 years in the wilderness seem meaningless, but the “God’s timing was simply impeccable”. Moses needed that stage to instill some qualities that would make him a great leader:
- Humility – Moses leaned on his position as a prince. Imprisonment in Midian brought the impetus for him to learn to lean on God instead.
- Patience – Understanding the ins and outs of shepherding prepared him with the patience needed to endure leading Israel for forty-years.
- Spiritual Growth – The isolation ideally made a big difference in boiling his dependence bare-bones on God.
Had Moses instantaneously taken over the mantle of Israel’s leadership, it goes without saying that he would rely only on himself and hardly pay heed to God’s timing and wisdom.
Midian: A Place Of Growth, Not Failure
Waiting can be agonizingly long. In a world where everything happens so instantaneously, waiting can feel frightening, especially in today’s fast-paced era where instant gratification has become the norm. Much like Midian helped Moses, our seasons of waiting are preparing us for God’s plans. God’s timing works in cases, it can feel more like a denial but really it is just a lot of planning.
3. Alleviating The Burden of Waiting until God Decides His Timing
When waiting, we tend to worry about different aspects of our lives, be it a job offer, a relationship, or even spiritual guidance, we frequently have the annoying feeling of doubting God’s timing. Regardless, the Bible offers numerous accounts of people turning conflicts to opportunities while waiting and it leading to immense blessings afterwards. “
- Abraham and Sarah: Waited more than 25 years for Isaac’s birth. (Genesis 21:2)
- Joseph: Suffered for years before becoming an affluent ruler in Egypt. (Genesis 41:46)
- Jesus: waited for 30 years before beginning his ministry. (Luke 3:23).
This is proof that in every situation God’s timing was domed. The pauses were not inflictions but periods of conditioning.
Practical Methods To Have Faith In God’s Timing
During these delays, it might help to:
- Pray for clarity: To have open communication with God throughout the waiting time.
- Make anywhere for growth: This is a very good time to develop new skills and grow deeper in your faith.
- Contribute where possible: Remember that even Moses had to serve at Midian.
Instead of feeling upset, use the time an an opportunity to strategize for the future.
4. Australia’s Resilience in the Timing of God
Insights into Australian Culture
There are several instances in Australia’s history which showcase their patience, perseverance, and resilience Resonance with God’s timing.
- Farmers plant crops and are at the mercy of nature’s timing until harvest time, which is months later.
- Communities reconstruct after experiencing natural calamities, with the understanding that renewal takes time.
- Athletes undergo training for several years, knowing that achieving success comes in gradual phases.
These examples from real life complement the biblical waiting principle. Australians are resilient when they face difficulties, and similarly, we have to go through spiritual waiting while trusting that God’s timing will cater the perfect results.
5. When God Finally Decides to Move The Call from the Burning Bush
Moses had spent 40 years in Midian before he encountered the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-10). That was the time when God’s timing became manifest to him.
He spoke to Moses:
“I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt… So now go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” – Exodus 3:7,10
Moses reached his readiness. The man who rashly acted before is now hesitant which shows his growth in humility and dependence on God.
The distinction between his previous impatience and his present-day caution highlights how God’s timing had indeed medicated him.
6. Applying Exodus 2:11-23 to Our Lives
Moses’ story teaches us that:
- Rushing ahead leads to setbacks – When we ignore God’s timing, we end up struggling unnecessarily.
- Waiting seasons are preparation periods – Wilderness moments serve as a time of refinement.
- God’s timing is perfect – He acts when we are completely prepared.
If you find yourself in a waiting period, know that God is molding you for the best. Like Moses, your Midian experience is not the end of the journey, it’s only a point in the journey towards your calling.
Key Takeaways Trusting God’s Timing Today
- Be patient – God works things out in the best order and seasons.
- Stay faithful – Exploit waiting windows to develop spiritually and personally.
- Trust the process – We all become who we are during our waiting seasons just as Moses did in Midian.
- Remember God’s faithfulness – Moses could walk it, so can you.
Final Thought
Moses encroached 40 believing he was good, but it took another waiting decade of 40 because God’s timing asked for it.You should know that delays aren’t automatically an absence—God is preparing you for something far more important.
Exodus 2:11-23 serves as evidence that God’s timing is working for our good, even when it seems that He has forsaken us. He wants us to embrace the wait instead of fighting it, because when He finally moves, the outcome will exceed anything that we could have gotten by ourselves.
People Also Ask
Why did Moses act so impulsively in Exodus 2:11-12?
Moses likely felt a deep sense of justice and responsibility toward the Israelites, his people. Having been raised in Pharaoh’s palace, he had a privileged position but also a growing awareness of their suffering. His rash decision to kill the Egyptian was driven by his emotions rather than divine guidance, showing that human timing often clashes with God’s perfect timing.
What was wrong with Moses killing the Egyptian? Wasn’t he trying to help?
While Moses’ intentions may have been good, his method was flawed. God had a specific plan for delivering the Israelites, but Moses took matters into his own hands too soon. His action led to rejection by the Israelites and forced him into exile. This teaches us that acting outside of God’s timing can lead to unnecessary struggles and delays.
Why did God make Moses wait 40 years in Midian?
God used this time to prepare Moses for leadership. In Egypt, Moses was a prince, but in Midian, he became a humble shepherd. The waiting period refined his character, built his patience, and strengthened his reliance on God. God’s timing required Moses to mature before he could handle the responsibility of leading an entire nation.
How does Exodus 2:11-23 relate to God’s timing in our lives today?
Like Moses, we often want immediate results in our careers, relationships, or personal goals. But just as Moses had to wait, we too must trust that God’s timing is perfect. Delays are not denials—they are preparation periods to refine our faith, character, and skills for what’s ahead.