Moses' Continuing Education
Introduction. Among the great spiritual blessings God offers His people are the recorded lives of those who lived before us. God has revealed that they are “for our learning” (Rom. 15:4), and Peter warned we would “do well to take heed.” (2Pet.19-20). They were “written for our admonition,” (1Cor. 10:11) and can “make us wise to salvation.” We would be foolish not to take advantage of something that can help us to become “complete and thoroughly furnished for every good work.” (2Tim. 3:15-18). Each life recorded in Scripture adds to our spiritual wisdom. Those who ended in tragedy bring admonitions and warnings (1Cor. 10:1-13; Heb. 3:7 - 4:13), while those ended with salvation and commendation are our “a great cloud of witnesses. (Heb. 11:1 - 12:3).
Since Moses was “faithful in all my house as a servant” (Heb. 3:5), “the meekest / most humble man in all the earth,” and God spoke to him “mouth to mouth” and allowed him to see “the form of the Lord,” (Num. 12:3-8), we should seek to learn what there was about him that caused God to see him in this way and seek to imitate him as much as possible.
In a previous lesson, we considered the life of Moses up to the age of forty, focusing on what led him to that important decision “to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,” and what led him to esteem “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” (Heb. 11:25-26). But what happened next? What were the next steps that led him from his worldly upbringing to the man who served God faithfully when he brought Israel out of Egypt and for forty years in the wilderness?
While the account in Exodus gives us very little information about this period in his life, the Holy Spirit wanted it known so He gave additional information in the New Testament. At the age of forty, Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” and was “mighty in words and deeds.” Yet he came to the decision “to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.” (Acts 7:22-23). We can learn a lot from these short words. He had gone to school, and with a good mind and effort had become mighty and powerful. His words were logical, clear and forceful. He knew how to debate and win. He was also mighty in deed. This could mean athletics, war, or business. He knew how to speak, he knew how to work, and he knew how to win. He was poised for great success in Egypt as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
Yet in spite of all these things that could have brought him great material blessings, he made this decision to visit his brethren. He knew his heritage, and there was a lot more behind that decision than either Exodus or Stephen reveals. It is in Hebrews that we learn this visit was a declaration:
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Heb. 11:24-25).
Although we don’t know when Moses “became of age,” we do know that it was at the age of forty that he made it public. That visit was his stand. When he visited his brethren, he was refusing “to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” This was his public declaration that he was an Israelite. He knew that in making this choice he was rejecting “the passing pleasure of sin” and accepting the “affliction with the people of God.” He had weighed all the benefits of remaining in Egypt, but drew the conclusion that “the reproach of Christ” was “greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” It is very important that we learn and imitate Moses in this. When we obey the gospel, we are making all the same decisions that he made. He is therefore the perfect example of what God expects in our own conversion. We too must choose to reject the passing pleasure of sin, to accept whatever afflictions siding with God’s people might bring. We must declare we are a Christian to all who will listen. Finally, we too must accept that the reproach of Christ is greater riches than all that America could ever give us to replace it. Armed with these convictions we will become prepared for the same success Moses ultimately gained.
Yet there was much more in his heart than simply visiting them. His convictions had taken an even more powerful turn. He knew it was time for the deliverance God had promised. His convictions, based on God’s providence, were so great that when he saw one of his brethren “suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian.” This too was a declaration, for as Stephen revealed, Moses “supposed” in that action, “that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand.” (Acts 7:23-28). He was clearly putting himself forth as their deliverer and if they had followed him, he would have continued to be mighty in word and deed and would have led them by his own might out of Egypt. Was this a mistake? Was it overconfidence? Many times in history, including our own days, God expects us to take initiative and trust that His providence will bring about His glory. So, it is difficult to say what might have been, but the same rebellion that would later plague Moses as the nation’s deliverer is what kept him from becoming one at that time.
Moses thought he would start an uprising that would lead to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. But the next day, his hopes were dashed. Instead of rallying to his side, he was treated with open contempt. In seeking to reconcile them, the evil-doer rebuked him. Instead of gratitude for his help, this man sought to use his deed against him. As things generally do, this deed became common knowledge, and finally reached Pharaoh’s ears. “When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh.” (Ex. 2:11-15). He had clearly been prepared to suffer affliction, but it must have been hard when it came from his own brethren. Jesus, Paul and multitudes since have found the same problem.
Even though Moses left Egypt because a sentence of death had been passed against him, he did not leave from fear. Moses forsook Egypt by faith. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” From his conversations with God 40 years later, it is evident that he had simply trusted in God’s providence to protect him.
Moses days, from the age of forty until the age of eighty, were lived in obscurity. He tended sheep for his father-in-law (Ex 3:1; Acts 7:30), married Zipporah, and had children, but we know nothing else about this period. He was alone - his brethren, his family, along with teachers, friends and associates were all left behind in Egypt. All his learning, mighty words, and deeds had become only memories with little practical value as a shepherd. After his efforts had been rejected and his faith had brought nothing tangible, what was he learning? From his conversation with God at the burning bush and from his meek and humble response to Miriam and Aaron a few short years later, it is evident that in addition to his faith, he had also learned humility and meekness.
This is a very important lesson for all. Humility and meekness are highly prized emotions. When they are added to a complete and trusting faith, God has another mighty servant to work with. As God told Moses, “I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey,” He offered all that Moses had ever wanted. Now by God’s own decree, Moses was offered what he had sought at the age of forty: “I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
Moses response revealed he had lost all confidence in himself. He could now clearly see his weakness. Moses, the man mighty in word and deed, is gone. Moses, the humble trusting servant is now in his infancy needing guidance: “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex 3:11). Within that answer is a man like David, a man who will do all God’s will. Yet Moses has fallen further than needed. This often happens to God’s servant after a setback, failure or sin. We see it in Elijah after Jezebel threatened to kill him, we see it in Jeremiah after he was persecuted, and if we have put ourselves forward to teach and preach, we have felt it ourselves. But it can be taken too far, and Moses had gone too far. In his lack of confidence in his own abilities, he no longer thought he could be of any use to God.
His first objection is formed as a question. “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?” (Ex. 4:1). God granted him the ability to perform signs. Then Moses lack of confidence in himself was revealed when he said, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent,” “but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (4:10). This was not true, yet it is now what Moses believed. God then reminded him that He had made Moses mouth and clearly knew his abilities, but He also promised to “teach him what he should speak” (4:11-12) by giving him inspiration. Moses then spoke the words that made God angry. He had gone too far and was close to becoming the one talent man Jesus said hid his talent because he was afraid. When Moses said, “Oh, Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send” (Ex 4:13), he sought to be excused. After God’s anger, Moses was convinced and soon was on his way back to Egypt.
Conclusion. Clearly, in his own eyes, Moses was no longer “mighty in word and deed.” He was no longer eager to put himself forward. It was only a few years after this that God revealed “Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.” (Num. 12:3). He learned this lesson over a forty-year period where it seemed he was doing nothing. Yet, in that forty-year period Moses learned the greatest lesson of his life. By adding humility and meekness to his faith, he had placed himself as one of God’s greatest and most faithful servants. We can learn a lot from Moses.
Since Moses was “faithful in all my house as a servant” (Heb. 3:5), “the meekest / most humble man in all the earth,” and God spoke to him “mouth to mouth” and allowed him to see “the form of the Lord,” (Num. 12:3-8), we should seek to learn what there was about him that caused God to see him in this way and seek to imitate him as much as possible.
In a previous lesson, we considered the life of Moses up to the age of forty, focusing on what led him to that important decision “to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,” and what led him to esteem “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” (Heb. 11:25-26). But what happened next? What were the next steps that led him from his worldly upbringing to the man who served God faithfully when he brought Israel out of Egypt and for forty years in the wilderness?
While the account in Exodus gives us very little information about this period in his life, the Holy Spirit wanted it known so He gave additional information in the New Testament. At the age of forty, Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” and was “mighty in words and deeds.” Yet he came to the decision “to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.” (Acts 7:22-23). We can learn a lot from these short words. He had gone to school, and with a good mind and effort had become mighty and powerful. His words were logical, clear and forceful. He knew how to debate and win. He was also mighty in deed. This could mean athletics, war, or business. He knew how to speak, he knew how to work, and he knew how to win. He was poised for great success in Egypt as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
Yet in spite of all these things that could have brought him great material blessings, he made this decision to visit his brethren. He knew his heritage, and there was a lot more behind that decision than either Exodus or Stephen reveals. It is in Hebrews that we learn this visit was a declaration:
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Heb. 11:24-25).
Although we don’t know when Moses “became of age,” we do know that it was at the age of forty that he made it public. That visit was his stand. When he visited his brethren, he was refusing “to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” This was his public declaration that he was an Israelite. He knew that in making this choice he was rejecting “the passing pleasure of sin” and accepting the “affliction with the people of God.” He had weighed all the benefits of remaining in Egypt, but drew the conclusion that “the reproach of Christ” was “greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” It is very important that we learn and imitate Moses in this. When we obey the gospel, we are making all the same decisions that he made. He is therefore the perfect example of what God expects in our own conversion. We too must choose to reject the passing pleasure of sin, to accept whatever afflictions siding with God’s people might bring. We must declare we are a Christian to all who will listen. Finally, we too must accept that the reproach of Christ is greater riches than all that America could ever give us to replace it. Armed with these convictions we will become prepared for the same success Moses ultimately gained.
Yet there was much more in his heart than simply visiting them. His convictions had taken an even more powerful turn. He knew it was time for the deliverance God had promised. His convictions, based on God’s providence, were so great that when he saw one of his brethren “suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian.” This too was a declaration, for as Stephen revealed, Moses “supposed” in that action, “that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand.” (Acts 7:23-28). He was clearly putting himself forth as their deliverer and if they had followed him, he would have continued to be mighty in word and deed and would have led them by his own might out of Egypt. Was this a mistake? Was it overconfidence? Many times in history, including our own days, God expects us to take initiative and trust that His providence will bring about His glory. So, it is difficult to say what might have been, but the same rebellion that would later plague Moses as the nation’s deliverer is what kept him from becoming one at that time.
Moses thought he would start an uprising that would lead to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. But the next day, his hopes were dashed. Instead of rallying to his side, he was treated with open contempt. In seeking to reconcile them, the evil-doer rebuked him. Instead of gratitude for his help, this man sought to use his deed against him. As things generally do, this deed became common knowledge, and finally reached Pharaoh’s ears. “When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh.” (Ex. 2:11-15). He had clearly been prepared to suffer affliction, but it must have been hard when it came from his own brethren. Jesus, Paul and multitudes since have found the same problem.
Even though Moses left Egypt because a sentence of death had been passed against him, he did not leave from fear. Moses forsook Egypt by faith. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” From his conversations with God 40 years later, it is evident that he had simply trusted in God’s providence to protect him.
Moses days, from the age of forty until the age of eighty, were lived in obscurity. He tended sheep for his father-in-law (Ex 3:1; Acts 7:30), married Zipporah, and had children, but we know nothing else about this period. He was alone - his brethren, his family, along with teachers, friends and associates were all left behind in Egypt. All his learning, mighty words, and deeds had become only memories with little practical value as a shepherd. After his efforts had been rejected and his faith had brought nothing tangible, what was he learning? From his conversation with God at the burning bush and from his meek and humble response to Miriam and Aaron a few short years later, it is evident that in addition to his faith, he had also learned humility and meekness.
This is a very important lesson for all. Humility and meekness are highly prized emotions. When they are added to a complete and trusting faith, God has another mighty servant to work with. As God told Moses, “I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey,” He offered all that Moses had ever wanted. Now by God’s own decree, Moses was offered what he had sought at the age of forty: “I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
Moses response revealed he had lost all confidence in himself. He could now clearly see his weakness. Moses, the man mighty in word and deed, is gone. Moses, the humble trusting servant is now in his infancy needing guidance: “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex 3:11). Within that answer is a man like David, a man who will do all God’s will. Yet Moses has fallen further than needed. This often happens to God’s servant after a setback, failure or sin. We see it in Elijah after Jezebel threatened to kill him, we see it in Jeremiah after he was persecuted, and if we have put ourselves forward to teach and preach, we have felt it ourselves. But it can be taken too far, and Moses had gone too far. In his lack of confidence in his own abilities, he no longer thought he could be of any use to God.
His first objection is formed as a question. “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?” (Ex. 4:1). God granted him the ability to perform signs. Then Moses lack of confidence in himself was revealed when he said, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent,” “but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (4:10). This was not true, yet it is now what Moses believed. God then reminded him that He had made Moses mouth and clearly knew his abilities, but He also promised to “teach him what he should speak” (4:11-12) by giving him inspiration. Moses then spoke the words that made God angry. He had gone too far and was close to becoming the one talent man Jesus said hid his talent because he was afraid. When Moses said, “Oh, Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send” (Ex 4:13), he sought to be excused. After God’s anger, Moses was convinced and soon was on his way back to Egypt.
Conclusion. Clearly, in his own eyes, Moses was no longer “mighty in word and deed.” He was no longer eager to put himself forward. It was only a few years after this that God revealed “Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.” (Num. 12:3). He learned this lesson over a forty-year period where it seemed he was doing nothing. Yet, in that forty-year period Moses learned the greatest lesson of his life. By adding humility and meekness to his faith, he had placed himself as one of God’s greatest and most faithful servants. We can learn a lot from Moses.