Moses - Man or Myth?

Exile in Median

One day Moses "caught sight of a certain Egyptian striking a certain Hebrew of his brothers."  For years, Moses had enjoyed the best of both the Hebrews and Egyptian worlds.  But seeing a fellow Israelite beaten-perhaps in a life-threatening manner-moved Moses to make a dramatic choice.  (Exodus 2:11)  He "refused to be called a son of the daughter of Pharaoh choosing to be ill-treated with the people of God." - HEBREWS 11:24, 25. 

Moses took swift and irrevocable action:  "He struck the Egyptian down and hid him in the sand."  (Exodus 2:12)  This was not the act of someone "given to outbursts of anger," as one critic alleged. It was likely an act of faith-albeit misguided-in  God's  promise that Israel  would be delivered from Egypt.  (Genesis 15:13, 14)  Perhaps Moses naively believed that his actions would spur his people on to revolt.  (Acts 7:25)  To his chagrin. though, his fellow Israelites refuse to acknowledge his leadership.  When news of the killing reached Pharaoh, Moses was forced into exile. He settled in Midian, marrying a woman named Zipporah, the daughter of a nomadic chieftain named Jethro.

For 40 years, Moses lived as a simple shepherd, his hope of being a deliverer shattered.  One day, though, he drove Jethro's  flocks to a spot near Mount Horeb.  There, Jehovah's angel  appeared to Moses in a burning bush.  Picture the scene:  "Bring my people the sons of Israel out of Egypt,"   God commands.  The the Moses who replies is hesitant, diffident, unsure of himself."  "Who am I," he pleads.,  "that I should go to Pharaoh and that I have to bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"  He even reveals a personal flaw that some moviemakers have obscured.  He evidently has a speech impediment.  How different Moses is the from the heroes of ancient myths and legends! His 40 years of shepherding have humbled and mellowed this man. Although Moses  is unsure of himself, God is confident that he is suited for leadership! -  Exodus 3:1-4, 20. 

Next time: Moses - Man or Myth - Deliverance From Egypt

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