Moses runs away

File No. 25

EXODUS 2:11 – 4:31;

Acts 7:22–29; Hebrews 11:24–26

MOSES RUNS AWAY / BURNING BUSH

(SBS Bk 1 Story Nos. 36 & 37)

Story Notes.

Exodus 2:11–25

Moses’ identity, and the promises under which his own nation lived, must have been conveyed to him in his infancy. The Spirit of God stirred his heart because he chose to be linked with the people of promise rather than with those who had power (see Heb. 11:23–26). His early attempts to help were not appreciated (Acts 7:23–29), and Moses himself seemed unprepared for opposition. It was not yet God’s time. Moses sank into a comfortable obscurity in the land of Midian and it would seem that the opportunity for Israel to be saved had gone. But when God heard Israel’s cry, he remembered his covenant and action began.

Exodus 3:1–22

God revealed himself to Moses in a flame of fire and a piece of desert sand became holy ground. He was the God of Moses’ forefathers. He was now to be known as ‘I AM’, the God who lives forever and does whatever he chooses. He told Moses what he would do, and what Moses should do. God would keep his promise to the fathers and have pity on his people. He would perform miracles in Egypt to arouse the faith of his people and to loosen the grip of Pharaoh. Moreover, God would be with Moses. In the face of this favour and power, Moses remained unwilling to be used, so much so that he aroused the anger of God.

Exodus 4:1–31

None of this altered the purpose of God. Every complaint Moses made was met with a further resource from God to help him. Then, after this intense encounter, Moses said goodbye to his in-laws. He travelled back to Egypt and was met by his brother who would be his ‘mouth’. Wonderfully, Israel believed and Moses could see that God was doing what he said he would do. On the way back to Egypt, God revealed his relationship to his people. They were his son. God’s jealous love for his people would outdo any rival. God also revealed his insistence on the holiness of his people. They were his and must bear the mark of his covenant with them (Gen. 17:9–14).