Take Two: Exodus 2, Proverbs 14

Ch. 2 discusses the birth and coming of age of Moses. We first see that He is a descendent of Levi (the Levites). When he was born, his mother decided to hide him as long as she could, 3 months, before reluctantly placing him in a makeshift basket in the Nile river (vv.1-3). Moses’ sister watched over the basket from a distance as the daughter of Pharoah came to bathe. Upon discovering Moses, Pharoah’s daughter had compassion. Moses’ sister then offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse Moses until he was older. Not only does Moses live, but God provides for his family from the treasuries of Pharoah, the very one who ordered the death of all Hebrew male children.

v.10 stuck out this morning. When he had grown, Moses’ mother carried him to Pharoah’s daughter and gave him to her to be her son. I tried to imagine what that must have been like. She did not run away. She demonstrated love by giving her son away, because she knew that it would ultimately be best for him.

We see some character issues revealed in Moses. In vv.11-14 we see that he intervened on behalf of a Hebrew slave, killing his master, an Egyptian. His servant heart is coming to light. We also see him “running off” shepherd and assisting the daughter of a Midian priest in watering her flocks (vv.16-17). As such, Moses comes to meet the Midianite priest and gets a wife out of the deal.

NOTE: As I chuckle this morning…I was thinking…that is a fine way to say thank you. Thanks for helping my daughter and my flocks. How can I ever repay you. Oh yes, marry this daughter of mine. Moses and Zipporah have a son.

I imagine that Moses was going along just fine. He was comfortable in his new place in life. But God was not finished. He had a plan that had to be carried out. God was on a redemptive mission and Moses was a part of the solution. So, God prepared to speak into Moses’ life.

NOTE: I love this idea since I relate to it in some ways. I never wanted to go into ministry. I was satisfied with my “life,” and had no desire to serve in ministry. (Service was no issue, since I had been taught this as a Core Value from my earliest memories…but ministry…NO WAY!) It is not that ministry is bad…it just was not on my priority list. I had hoped to be a good church member, a leader in my congregation, and use my gifts to influence culture through business, politics, and other means. But…I also am a servant of God. And, God has plans of His own. He alone is God and He alone is ultimately wise. He desired that His people be led and served, and He chose me to do it. And…the thought of it today humbles me greatly.

What does God have in store for you? Are you willing to move beyond your plans and embrace His?

Proverbs 14:29 is the takeaway today. “He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.” I was reminded, as I read this today, how much growth I have experienced in my life…and how much more there is yet to do. Praise God for new mercies every morning (Lam 3:22-23).