Exodus 2:11-23 Exposed How Moses’ Escape Changed Everything!

Exodus 2:11-23 offers a pivotal moment in the life of Moses, providing insight into his journey before his calling as the leader of the Israelites. In this passage, we witness a young Moses grappling with his identity, confronting injustice, and unknowingly taking the first steps toward his divine mission. Let’s delve into the key themes and lessons from this passage.

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Here, he transforms from an Egyptian prince to a criminal on the run. His flight to Midian functions as a ‘God’s waiting room’ that is meant to mold the leaders for their assigned duties. But this moment is also something which teaches us a great deal about ourselves.

The Setting Moses in Relation to Pharaoh’s Daughter Adoptive Family

In order to grasp Exodus 2:11-23, it is essential to analyze the details of Moses’ life and early life. Moses was birthed from Hebrew parents during a crucial phase when Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew male infants ot be executed (Exodus 1:22). Notably, his mother, Jochebed, constructed a basket, placed him into it, and released it upon the waters of Nile with the intent of saving his life. Eventually, he was located by Pharaoh’s Daughter who brought him under her guardianship and raised him in the palace as Pharaoh’s son.

Moses spent his formative years in an Egyptian palace, enjoying life as a prince while knowing he was Hebrew. His dual identity as a Hebrew royal, however, came with its own dilemmas; he had to contend with the harsh realities of his people’s enslavement and discrimination, while relishing the elegance of Egyptian nobility.

Exodus 2: 11-23: The Incident that Changed Moses’ Life

1.Moses Comes to the Defense of a Hebrew Slave

Exodus 2: 11-23 starts with adult Moses attending to the labor activities of the enslaved Hebrews. He sees a Hebrew engaging in a fight with an Egyptian overseer and, being a compassionate humanitarian, he seeks to aid the Hebrew. Moses’s sense of justice sees him kill the Egyptian, and attempt to hide the body in the sand. The suppression of his emotions in that moment came at a cost, because he was forced to accept that he murdered a human being.

2. The Hebrews Do Not Acknowledge Moses as a Leader

The very next morning, Moses sees two drunk Hebrews engaging in a quarrel and, in an attempt to restore order, finds that he is also being challenged. One of the Romans he was previously in a fight with retorts, “We’ll make you a ruler and judge to one of us,” showing that everyone was aware of the injustice that he committed the day beforehand.

3. Moses Flees to Midian

Moses escaped Egypt and went to Midian out of fear for his life. The area is considered a desert east of Egypt and was populated by tribes that were descendants of Abraham with Ketura, his second wife (Genesis 25:1-2). Moses’ escape signifies not only an escape from one’s physical surroundings, but also the beginning of a mental shift that chased one’s spirituality.

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Moses in Midian A Period of Preparation

1. Moses Helps the Daughters of Jethro

When Moses reached Midian, he met with the seven daughters of Jethro the priest that lived in Midian. The daughters were being bullied by a couple of very rude shepherds so Moses stepped in, protected the girls and even helped them with their sheep. This led to Jethro welcoming him into his home for spending the night.

2. Moses takes a Wife named Zipporah

During Moses’ period of staying with Jethro, he took one of his daughters, Zipporah, to be his wife. Their son, Gershom, was born at this time, and his name translates to “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.” This part of Moses’ life may appear quiet on the surface, but in reality, it was a time for him to grow both personally and spiritually. Shepherding in Midian would later enable Moses to fulfill the role of shepherd for God’s people, which he had to take up later in life.

3. Israelite Suffering in Egypt

Exodus 2:23-25 serves to highlight the Israelites’ suffering in Egypt. They raise their voices to God, and their groaning is heard throughout the land. The excerpt goes on to explain, unto the Israelites “The Lord remembered His covenant promises with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” God is ready to unleash his teachings unto the Israelites, leading them out of slavery while Moses, who is in exile, is also incorporated within the teachings.

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Key Takeaways from Exodus 2:11-23

1. Compassion and Justice

Moses demonstrates appearing to care for the Egyptian taskmaster’s cruelty to his people through compassion. He is agitated to remain passive whenever he notices their misfortunes. But, the way he goes about this—by beating to death the Egyptian—was short-sighted. This informs us on how important it is to show compassion and think through whatever actions one intends to take. Trying to fight back on injustice is commendable; however, we ought to bear in mind the impact that our reaction could create and we ought to do it with God.

2. Understanding God’s Provision in Developing Mitied Leaders.

Moses did not run away from Egypt due to failure, rather, he was avoiding the Israelites simply because it wasn’t his time to exercise leadership over them. Those years spent in Midian were not idled, they were a time in which he was getting ready for his main work. While in Midian, Moses was being trained in the art of shepherding which eventually assisted him to less the flock of Israel. We seem to be more proactive than God actually is in terrain decision making. Often, the periods when we are made to suffer or wait are subservient to greater design by God who wishes to restructure us for the useful employment to which He has designated us.

God Works Through Imperfect People “Old Testament” Most Excellent, Cecil’s Wife, Moses, was willing and ready to lead the children of Israel. At the same time he knew what was right and wrong. Both actions demonstrated self-control, discipline, and leadership. God used this experience to make sure he became the great leader He wanted him to be. Even his wrong actions became God’s opportunities to mold him. God teaches us that He is willing to make use of our mistakes to shape us, and refine us for His works. God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed The last half of Exodus 2 illustrates that God remembers His covenant, and hearing the cries of His people.

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Misunderstandings and Clarifications

1. Moses as a “Reluctant Leader”

It is a common misconception that Moses was always a reluctant leader, but this has been proven wrong in Exodus 2. Moses was emotionally invested in the suffering of the Hebrews and it was his deepest wish to help them. His impulsive and unwise interventions at this particular moment proved that he simply was not ready to assume control over the Israelites. Later, we see Moses on Exodus 3-4 displaying fear and reluctance when it was his turn to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

2. Moses’ Flight to Midian as a Sign of Failure

People can tend to see Moses’ flight to Midian in a negative light and mark it as a failure, but in reality, it signified progress. He did not fail; rather, he was aligning himself to the footsteps of God’s plan that he had for him which he did not comprehend. The duration of him being in Midian was essential for multiplying his understanding of leadership and his faith.

Conclusion: The Birth of a Leader

Exodus 2:11-23 gives an Egyptian prince’s complex transformation into a fugitive. With compassion, justice, the significance of time, and the way God uses normal individuals to fulfill His purpose, the story of Moses incites remembering the odds and roadblocks of life which do not bar one from achieving the magnificence of God’s intentions. Mistakes and failure do not have the power to stop anyone from achieving God’s purpose.

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References:

• Exodus 2:11-23, The Holy Bible
• “Moses: His Life and Mission,” Bible Hub
• “God’s Call to Moses,” The Gospel Coalition
• The Book of Exodus, NIV Study Bible

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