Moses Part 2

Exodus 2:11–13 (ESV) One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?”

Moses Part 1 is impulsive, reckless, emotional and a bit arrogant. He sees an Egyptian doing what he did not approve of and kills him. Moses is an adopted son of Pharaoh. He could have court marshaled him. He could have reprimanded or punished him. He had many options.

Moses just kills him.

In that moment we see a man with passion but very little character. He's the impulsive diplomat who sees his position as one of sovereign autonomy... albeit an autonomy he keeps to himself as he hides the man in the sand.

The next day he's at it again. This time he's settling legal matters between brothers. Moses will be judge and executioner in two days according to himself. The power and privilege which he did not earn went straight to his head.

Moses Part 1 is many people. They feel entitled to do what they want when they want. They will do what feels right despite whether it is right. Oh how quickly pride is followed by a fall. In one statement Moses is caught off guard. He runs for his life and thus concludes Moses Part 1.

Moses part 2 begins shortly after.
Exodus 2:15–17 (ESV) When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock.

Some small nuances of Moses are developed here.
First, Moses needs some people in his life. Moses has sat by a well. The ancient wells were the place a stranger in a new town went to when he needed someone. Moses, the strong independent thinker and overachiever is going to have to rely on a priest from another country to get his life back together.

He's also going to need a wife and children to groom him for compassion, patience and care. He's going to need a job so that he might learn responsibility in the wilderness. In effect, Moses' development takes place in the most natural way for many of us. We stopping running around on our own terms and get connected to people. We are held accountable to others. We get in a small group at church. We start a family. We have people we count on and those who count on us. God's development of our character is indeed a community project.

Secondly, did you notice that Moses has stopped killing while delivering? He drives the shepherds away but does not take a life. Moses will never take another life again. In fact, he will move even to the place where few get in the scriptures (thus far only Judah has been there) and Moses will offer his life on behalf of the nation at a later chapter.

Thirdly, did you notice that Moses has started serving? He waters the flocks and expects no recompense. A true servant is one who seeks not a reward for his good works but simply does what he does because others need help.

In this short section we are introduced to Moses part 2. I like him better.

So the next time I feel bugged by responsibility, my family or the small things God has me do for others because its simply right and not for what it will get me...

...I should remember Exodus 2.