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In the last article we'd learned, that Moses had the tendency to show tremendous sympathy for his people; especially when it came to the cruel treatment that they were receiving from the Egyptians, as they endured their long season of captivity. And I personally believe, that it was the sympathy that Moses had for his people, that eventually drove him to the point, of actually killing an Egyptian that Moses had found one day, mistreating one of his fellow Hebrews. Nonetheless, in the last article, I'd felt that it was important to point out, that at this stage from within Moses' life, that he wasn't being led by the Spirit of the Lord; just like his forefathers had done before him.
And the reason why I'm bringing this little detail to your attention, deals with my notion...
...that when it comes to those who are more than willing, when it comes to opposing God and His Word...
...will stop at nothing, when it comes to their character assassination attempts.
So when one begins to look at the fact, that Moses had killed an Egyptian, regardless of his reason. Rest assured, God's adversaries, will quickly point out; that if Moses were truly being led by God at this point from within his life, then why would he in this particular situation, kill the Egyptian, instead of fully trusting God? Know that God's adversaries are so bold in their attacks, that even God Himself, isn't exempt from their character assassination attempts.
Don't make the mistake of thinking, that God's adversaries won't do all they can, when it comes to getting God's children, to doubt their faith. For they love the challenge, when it comes to getting a child of God, to think twice, when it comes to what they are standing for; for they hold dear to the idea, that they're possibly able, to get a child of God to turn away from their Heavenly Father. For they know that "doubt" interferes with them, growing their spiritual relationship with the Lord.
For they also know (thanks to Jesus Christ) that they can't come against you, as long as you're operating from under God's grace: "But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. And everyone who tells lies in court, will be brought to justice. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from Me. I, the Lord, have spoken!" -- Isaiah 54:17
So this is why they try their best, when it comes to getting you to doubt, and second guess your faith; for they know, that if they can get you to come away from God loving grace, then you will be more vulnerable, when it comes to being deceived, intimidated and controlled by them.
Know that it's these types of moments, and events, that have taken place from within the Sacred Record (you know, like Moses killing an Egyptian) that they love to use, when it comes to their character assassination attempts; especially when those attempts, are aimed at God and His faithful servants. And unfortunately, truth be told; sometimes, we as Christians, make it very easy for them, when we don't take the time to learn God's Word for ourselves.
However, enough of me deviating, let's move forward.
Now this is what happens next, as we move into the next stage of Moses' record: "The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, 'Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?' Then he said, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' So Moses feared and said, 'Surely this thing is known!' When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well." -- Exodus 2:13-15
Now this passage is very straightforward, for we find that Moses had been probably placed in a royal supervising role, in which he watched over the Egyptian taskmasters that were assigned to deal with the Hebrews. Remember that the day before, Moses had already killed the Egyptian that was mistreating one of his fellow Hebrews.
So we find ourselves well into the next day; and it's at this time, that Moses tries to keep the peace amongst his brethren. But if one were to judge the attitudes of the Hebrews, when it came to Moses, one could assume that there seemed to be, perhaps some animosity that was being placed towards him: "Who made you a prince, and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?"
Now stay with me, for it's at this point, that things become a little confusing. And actually, according to some, we may be stumbling upon a possible contradiction that's about to take place from within God's Word. And this is where the book of Hebrews comes in at; for it's from within this particular book, that there's a statement that has been made by the author (very possibly the apostle Paul) that seems to contradict the earlier record of Moses. And since we are here, we might as well address it:
"It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid of what the king might do. It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him.
"It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons. It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians followed, they were all drowned." -- Hebrews 11:23-29
Now this passage when it came to Moses' early life, is somewhat straightforward. But the contradiction claims that are being presented by God's adversaries, are also buried from within its context as well. Notice how the apostle Paul is retelling a quick summary of the "Great Exodus" that was led under Moses. Understand that this is a quick summary of the events, and since this small, but very important detail is somewhat ignored by God's adversaries; one should be able to see, how their contradiction argument quickly falls apart.
So let's take a quick look at the passage that's in reference for a moment. Now don't worry, there's no need to spend a lot of time on it; it is after all, like I stated earlier, very straightforward: "It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid of what the king might do."
Basically this passage acknowledges that Moses was born under the infamous "bloody edict" that the Pharaoh had put in place, when it came to the killing of the Hebrew babies. Know that Moses' parents were willing to take a chance, and have another child in spite of it. So they hid Moses, because they understood how real the Egyptian death threat was, when it came to the Hebrew male babies.
"It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah, than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him."
Now this Scripture moves us ahead, past Moses' killing of the Egyptian, taking us into the second forty year phase, that Moses had spent from within the land of Midian. Remember, this is where Moses had received his calling by God. And it's also from this point forward, that the Spirit of the Lord was finally operating, personally, through Moses.
"It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons. It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians followed, they were all drowned."
Now it was at this point, we find from within the passage, that we're now taken to where Moses' had came back from his 40 year wilderness exile, so that God could use him to deliver the Hebrews from their Egyptian captivity. It's also from within this passage, that the adversaries of God, try to make their ridicules contradiction claim. For they say, that this particular statement, indicates that Moses wasn't afraid of the Pharaoh, but that in the early record, Moses admits that he was afraid. Not necessarily to a paralyzing effect; but fearful enough, to where he'd recognized, the danger of what he'd did.
Now pay attention to the differences between the two records:
Paul the apostle states: "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible." -- Hebrews 11:27
However, the earlier record by Moses states: "Then he said, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?' So Moses feared and said, 'Surely this thing is known!'" -- Exodus 2:14
Now remember that these Scriptures are dealing with two different time periods from within Moses' life. The one from Exodus, is dealing with the time, in which Moses killed the Egyptian. And the apostle is talking about the time, that Moses was being led by Spirit of God, when he came back to Egypt 40 years later, and delivered the Hebrews from out of the hands of the Egyptians.
Now the adversaries of God have tried to blend the two different time periods together, so that they can claim, that they've found some sort of contradiction from within the scriptures. Next, they begin to frame their argument, by putting forth the question: "So was Moses' afraid of the Pharaoh, or not? Because the apostle Paul can't seem to agree with the prophet. Ugh! You Christians and your Bible."
But as you can clearly see, it is not a contradiction after all. And although this issue may seem to have little significance, keep that thought in mind, the next time you hear, or read about a nonbeliever making the claim, that the scriptures has too many contradictions, so therefore, it can't be trusted. Make no mistake, many Christians are falling away from the faith, because they have allowed themselves to be hoodwinked, tricked and deceived, into believing that the Word of God can't be trusted.
I hope and pray, that you won't allow yourselves to become one of them.
In the next article, we'll more forward a little bit more, when it comes to the account of Moses. We will begin our journey into the second forty year phase of Moses' life. Remember that we are looking at how God kept his Word, when it came to His covenant with the Hebrew people.
Also remember, that we too, also have a covenant with the Lord, for we must not forget, that God never changes. He stood by His Word then, and He will stand by His Word now. Let's not make the mistake of limiting this part of our journey to us just exploring "The Law?" Understand, that what we're about to encounter, is much bigger than that. I will continue to expand on this notion, as we move forward.
**YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**
128) Moses the Historian
129) The Exodus Stage
130) The Fall of the Hyksos Kingdom
131) A New Pharaoh Rises
133) Israel a Nation within Transition
135) The Hebrew Midwives - Shiphrah and Puah
136) The Hebrew Midwives - The Fear of God
139) Moses the Sympathetic Killer
140) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->
141) Moses Finds Refuge in Midian
145) The Call of Moses
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