Lessons from the Shepherd of the Largest Flock Recorded in the Old Testament

The First 40 Years

Exodus 2:1-10 - Provisions, Prestige and Power

Moses had the best of all that Egypt had to offer.  He is also aware of the plight of the Israelites.  He sees an opportunity for vengeance.  Notice his preparation to act in verse 12 “He looked this way and that (horizontal view) and seeing no one.”

Exodus 2:11-13 - Right intent, Wrong way, Wrong timing

“He struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.”  The result was the stirring of suspicion and animosity among the Hebrews towards Moses.

MY LESSON: God uses all of my life journey in preparing me for His purposes. 

YOUR LESSON: ?

The Second 40 Years

Exodus 2:14-15 - Hebrew hatred, Hurried flight, Heartfelt reflection 

With his life in danger Moses hastens to the desert until he comes to a refreshing well that provides opportunity for reflection on all that has transpired.

Exodus 2:16-22 - New friends, New career, New family

 Moses solitude at the well is interrupted by the arrival of the daughters of a Midianite household bringing their flock for water. Other shepherds began arriving and “bully” the daughters away from the well.  Moses intervenes and provides water for their flock.  With that benevolent act he launches his career as a shepherd. Upon meeting the father of the Midianite daughters, Moses marries one of them and begins his family.

MY LESSON: My detours are part of the tapestry of God’s design for my journey with Him. 

YOUR LESSON: ?

Exodus 3-4 - Divine intervention, Disturbing dialogue, Dedicated leader

God has heard the desperate cry of of the Hebrews and uses the marvel of His voice coming from a burning bush to inform Moses that he is the Lord’s chosen leader. (3:9-10)

Moses starts raising issues that he thinks would disqualify him from being the leader.  Eventually Moses makes his final appeal, “Oh my Lord, please send somebody else.”  The Lord becomes angry with Moses and brings closure to the debate (4:13-16)

Moses informs his father in law that he is going back to Egypt.

For the longest time I wondered why Moses was so stubbornly resistant to the Lord.  Then I thought back as to the conditions that caused him to hastily depart from Egypt.  There were people in Egypt that wanted him killed.  He knows that upon his return they will be in pursuit.  Here is the interesting element.  After Moses made a commitment to return, the Lord then informed him, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who we’re seeking your life are dead.”  (4:19)  So why did God not tell him sooner?  He wanted Moses to be willing to go even if it meant facing death.

MY LESSON: 2 Timothy 3:12 is flooding my mind. “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  The little words in that verse are hauntingly powerful (“all”  “will”)

YOUR LESSON: ?

The Third 40 Years

Exodus 5-40 - Wilderness wandering

MY LESSON: Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (14:13-14)

YOUR LESSON: ?

-Jay Letey