Exodus 2:11-15 In the wake of every setback, we become wiser only to rise again

Exodus 2:11-15 In the wake of every setback, we become wiser only to rise again

Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?” 14 But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian.

Background

Moses’s failed attempt to deliver his kinsmen has called into question his suitability to the role as deliverer of Israel. For when his secret was discovered, his whole world caved in and he had to run for his life like any political fugitive. However, what was perceived as an inconsequential and incompetent attempt at deliverance is perceived by God as an act of faith worthy of divine commendation. For this reason, God waited another 40 years before raising Moses with a new anointing and mission to liberate Israel from Egypt. Today’s devotion teaches us: In the wake of every setback, we become wiser only to rise again.

Observation

Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors…

The text skipped over how Moses was brought up and how he knew about his ethnic origin. Now, as an adult, he was purposefully seeking out his brethren in regard for their oppression. He came across an Egyptian one fateful day who had a penchant for cruelty. In the heat of altruism and in wanting to alleviate the suffering of his kinsmen, he killed the Egyptian. In secrecy, he buried him quickly in the sand.

But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us?

On the next day, Moses continued his quest for Israel’s deliverance: he saw two Hebrews fighting of which one was clearly the offending party. Moses sought to play the judge to get to the bottom of things. The offending Hebrew rudely rejected Moses’s mediation by challenging his authority. And this, the offender did by bringing to the open Moses’s murder of the Egyptian. Here, Moses came to know that the matter is no longer a secret and an inquiry was underway to indict him. For the offending Hebrew had let slip that the matter has become known. Moses was now a fugitive and stripped of all authority. It was heartbreaking that despite Moses’s altruistic act, the Hebrew community had no intention of warning him of the investigation that was closing in.

But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian.

It was regrettable that Moses did not succeed in his attempt to deliver Israel. And like any other political fugitive he must now flee for his life. God, in His providence has prepared for Moses a safe harbour until an appropriate time where he will return to Egypt with a new anointing and mission.

Truth

In the wake of every setback, we become wiser only to rise again.

Because God will never give up on us, we must learn to forgive ourselves and rise up from where we have failed. When all seemed lost for Moses, God had provided a way for him to rise again at an appropriate time. Even though Moses had given up on himself, God has not. As God had intended, Moses’s failed attempt at deliverance had become a foundation for his eventual success in liberating Israel from Egypt.

From God’s perspective, Moses’s “failure” was but an occasion to demonstrate true faith… when he chose to endure ill-treatment with his kinsmen while refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (see Hebrews 11:25). The author of Hebrews interpreted Moses’s actions as identifying with Christ’s reproach while despising the treasures of Egypt (see Hebrews 11:26). Because of his faith (in identifying with the oppressed), God never gave up on him, but waited for 40 years before raising him up once more. This time, with celestial anointing and power. Moses’s deliverance attempt, feeble and inconsequential it may seem, was essential to demonstrate his faith that led him to his true potential. Notwithstanding Moses’s actions did call into question his suitability to the role of deliverer of Israel, it is his selfless act of faith that is central in both Old and New Testament perspectives.

Therefore, what may seem like utter incompetence to men, are acts of faith, well pleasing to God. Hence, we must never despise our moments of shame but endeavour to see them from God’s perspective. Indeed, what truly touch God’s heart are the seemingly inferior and inconsequential efforts borne out of selflessness.

In whatever circumstances: success or failure, we should always examine our hearts from the perspective of faith. For God is more concern with our primary motives and intents than for the results. In times of failure, we should learn from our mistakes and move pass the pangs of shame and regret. At the appropriate time, when we are found ready, God will raise us up with a great anointing to do His work.

Application

Are you crippled by a seemingly irreparable situation caused by an illness, a bad financial decision, a misdeed that damaged your reputation? God is faithful and He will raise us up at an appropriate time. Therefore, let us be resolute in putting the past behind us and move on to become wiser people. Indeed, there is no one who is perfect except for God. The likes of Moses, Paul, David and Samson have shown that God does not give up on repentant men. Even so, we must release the past of shame and rise up from where we have failed.

Dear Lord, I praise you for never giving up on me. Despite my imperfections and incompetence, you have promised to anoint me for a divine calling. Even in my frequent failures, imbue me with divine wisdom, and virtues so that I may rise up to accomplish your work. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.