Exodus 2:16-25 The wilderness always precedes the anointing

Exodus 2:16-25 The wilderness always precedes the anointing

And he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock. 18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?” 19 So they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew the water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.” 21 Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses. 22 Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, 23 “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. 24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.

Background

Why was Israel enslaved and for 400 years?

Why was Israel enslaved by Egypt? First of all, the world is a fallen place, and it is expected that nations rise against nations and tribes against tribes. For the strong will always attempt to oppress the weak. Thus, it would be a surprise if the Egyptians did not find the Israelites a convenient target. Because of God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Israel’s deliverance was predestined. Without the covenant with the patriarchs, Israel would have been annihilated like the other nations. Besides, there were the Amorites who inhabited Canaan at that time. And God had to wait until their evil reached a breaking point and only then could the Amorites be removed (see Genesis 15:16). Perhaps, the single most pertinent factor lied in the Israelites themselves who were not ready to be delivered. For failing to understand the true significance of Moses’s intervention (in killing the Egyptian) as the instrument of God’s deliverance the Israelites rejected him. Following Moses’s estrangement from Egypt, Israel’s deliverance had to be put on hold for another 40 years before Moses was again ready to embark on a new mission. Indeed, we should not grumble or complain but endeavour to understand the divine reasons for every crisis. In so doing, we become wise to participate in God’s salvation plans. Today’s devotion also teaches us an important lesson for every person who aspires to leadership: The wilderness always precedes the anointing.

Observation

And he sat down by a well.

The text provides no details on how much time elapsed between Moses’s fleeing and the meeting at the well. By then, Moses was well settled in the land of Midian and was not a homeless man looking for shelter. God’s providence led him to the well where he witnessed the bullying of the women by a band of ruthless shepherds. Here, Moses immediately came to their aid and single-handedly delivered them. Moses had not only protected the women from abuse, he watered their flock and walked them home.

When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?”

At Reuel’s query, the women were quick to point out Moses’s altruistic and timely intervention. Reuel also known as Jethro was a gracious man, and in wanting to return Moses’s kindness invited him to dine with them.

Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses.

Things developed and Moses became part of Jethro’s family. The arrival of their first child occasioned a glimpsed into Moses’s state of mind: he remained a sojourner at heart, estranged from his people. Indeed, the passing of time did not erode Moses’s loyalty and concern for his kinsmen.

Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died.

Nothing has changed since Moses’s hurried departure as Israel continued to groan under Egypt’s oppression. However, Israel’s continual suffering by no means imply God’s apathy towards their plight. For God was walking alongside, continually hearing their cries and sustaining them through their sufferings. He is faithful to the covenant He made with the patriarchs and was ceaselessly working towards their deliverance.

Truth

The earlier we understand God’s plans and submit to Him, the faster we receive our deliverance.

Israel passed up on the opportunity for deliverance when they rejected Moses’s intervention forcing him into exile. For they could not understand the significance of Moses slaying the Egyptian (see Acts 7:25). For that reason, they had to wait for Moses to return to Egypt with a new mission 40 years later. The two fighting Hebrews also revealed the spirit of restlessness and enmity that festered within the larger Hebrew community. Their rejection of Moses’s mediation connotes their unwillingness to submit to one another in peace and righteousness. In a nutshell, delays to Israel’s deliverance were caused by:

• their ignorance and unbelief concerning God’s salvation plans,
• the spirit of restlessness and infighting within their community, and
• their refusal to submit to one another in righteousness and brotherly love.

That said, God who knows all things had beforehand prophesied to Abraham concerning his descendants’ slavery, their eventual deliverance and plundering of Egypt (see Genesis 15:13). This shows that God is in absolute control over all things. Therefore, no matter how bad our circumstances may be, we must not fret, but understand God’s plan of salvation. The earlier we understand and submit to Him, the faster we receive our deliverance. The Israelites had waited for 400 years for their deliverance. And because of their unbelief, they had to wait another 40 years in the wilderness before entering Canaan.

Therefore, believers must refrain from grumbling, and fighting one another but submit to one another in peace and righteousness. Regrettably, many families and churches are still embroiled in infighting, and grumbling. Therefore, stop blaming, and witch hunting, but forgive by making peace with one another. Only in doing so can we participate in God’s salvation plans and hasten the day of deliverance.

The wilderness always precedes the anointing.

Moses’s world caved in after his slaying of the Egyptian came to light. He was now a wanted man, forever estranged from his family and kinsmen. What was most painful for Moses was his people’s lack of understanding of his role as God’s instrument for Israel’s deliverance. Moses’s slaying of the Egyptian was not recognised as an altruistic act. Hence, Moses’s exile served only to emphasise his rejection by his own people. That said, the next 40 years of wilderness experience had provided for Moses the necessary foundation to sustain a new and higher anointing. Only with this new and higher grace can Moses fulfill his calling as deliverer of Israel.

How did the wilderness prepare Moses for a higher anointing?

The wilderness experience in the land of Midian had provided for Moses a haven to process the events that transpired. The wounds of injustice, and dejection must heal to yield divine love and wisdom. Unless the wounds are allowed to heal through the passing of time, Moses cannot sustain a higher anointing. The wounds inflicted by kinsmen are severe for it cuts through the flesh and into the bones. However, they are essential in cultivating within us divine love and wisdom; the foundation of the heavenly favour.

The wilderness experience has also stripped Moses of his youthful audacity and pride. No longer a prince, he was reduced to a commoner, a member of a Midianite household. A man of God must be debased so that his identity and stature may be re-established by God. For this reason, Moses was stripped of his princely stature in preparation to receive his heavenly calling.

The wilderness experience had stripped Moses of his fleshly ambition. A powerful nation of Egypt had provided for Moses a vast playground to exercise his political acumen to fulfill his ambition. His playground that spanned many cities and territories was suddenly reduced to a sheep pan. A man of God must learn to be content with whatever lot that God has appointed for him. For this reason, Moses must die to his own ambition so that he may fit into God’s calling for him.

Many supposed that by their zeal, abilities and dedication alone may they accomplish the divine call. The favour and the anointing of God rest not in youthful determination but in the virtues of humility, thoughtfulness, diligence and simple dependence on God. Such virtues cannot be gleaned by emulating another. But only through the rigours of the wilderness experience.

Application

You may be in dire financial need, or embroiled in a family or career crisis. Perhaps, you were unjustly thrust into such situations. And you have been patiently seeking recourse and divine intervention with little results. Do not fret, blame or grumble but do the following:

• Understand the reasons why the crisis came. If it is a discipline from God – repent of your wrongdoing and set your path right. If it is an attack from the evil one – send the angels to destroy the evil that attacked you. If it is a common temptation – rebuke the temptations (of lust, vengeance and greed etc) and yield yourself fully to God.
• Forgive those who have directly or indirectly caused your crisis.
• Understand what God’s directives are and obey Him.

Dear God, I decide to commit my circumstances fully into your hands and refrain from blaming and complaining. I forgive those who have contributed to my current predicament. Cause me to understand the reasons that led to my current situation and teach me the way that I should go. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.