The life of Moses has something for everyone. The Bible gives us information about his life from a very young age, through middle age, and up to his death at the age of 120. He was a foster child. He was an immigrant. He knew what it was to spend long periods of time alone as a shepherd, and he knew what it was to lead perhaps two million people through the desert.
At various points, there were specific crossroads when Moses chose to stand for the Lord. In this first study we want to focus on his upbringing; his choice to identify himself with God's people; and the lesson of God's timing in his life.
Why are his parents' names not given in Exodus 2? They only appear later in chapter 6. Perhaps it illustrates that his parents were not prominent or notable in any way. They were just ordinary people who wanted to have a godly home. All of us can share in that desire.
They also shared the same character; both were from the tribe of Levi. They were united in their purpose. Further, this introductory portion of Exodus emphasizes families; chapter 6 emphasizes sons and genealogies.
The parents saw more than just a beautiful baby. They saw that he was "beautiful to God," as some translations have in Acts 7:20. They wanted him to be great for God. This is the attitude Christian parents should have, too.
When Moses' parents could no longer hide him at home, his mother prepared another hiding place. She made him an ark, a floating basket, for the river. Her care even in this is evident. She placed him in a protected place among the reeds near the riverbank, not just set adrift. Then his sister Miriam watched. No doubt she had learned this kind of care from her mother.
We can see the preserving hand of God. God allowed Pharaoh's daughter to find the ark and to have a tender heart towards the baby boy. She accepted Miriam's offer to bring a nurse for Moses, and thus Moses' parents actually received wages to care for him-- a provision for the family as well.
There are four women in Moses' early life. We can draw illustrations from each of them.
• the midwife at his birth - the gospel preacher or evangelist
• his mother - a teacher
• his sister - a pastor or shepherd, showing care
• Pharaoh's daughter - the power of God
The influence of godly women is also seen in Timothy's life. His mother and grandmother taught him the Scriptures as a child (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15).
Moses spent his first early years in his parents' home before living with Pharaoh's daughter. Their home clearly must have had an atmosphere of godliness, not just a ritual or habit imposed on the children by the parents. Because of those few years, Moses knew much later that "his brethren" were the Hebrews (Exodus 2:11). He knew who he really was.
Pharaoh's daughter said, "Nurse him for me" (2:9). But the next comment is simply that Moses' mother "nursed him"-- not specifically for Pharaoh's daughter. We don't have to raise our children with the goal of becoming great in this world.
God's sovereignty and man's responsibility are parallel truths that always go together. On the one hand, Moses was dependent upon God. Even his weeping when Pharaoh's daughter found him can illustrate this. Yet when it came to education, Moses took it all in and then used it for the Lord. God needed someone who could read and write well, for example.
At the age of 40, Moses was now "great" (some translations of Hebrews 11:24). Probably the Egyptians expected he was now ready to do great things in their culture. Instead, we see Moses refusing and choosing certain things. He did not attempt to use his worldly position to accomplish spiritual things. His spiritual maturity is evident.
As a baby, Moses had been placed in an ark, surrounded by its protection. When we are first saved, we are brought to Christ. As we are enveloped by His care, we grow spiritually.
Moses refused to pursue great status and power. What would we give up for God?
God had sovereignly chosen Moses for this time; and Moses chose to accept what God laid out for him. He knew what should be preeminent in his life.
Moses made an assessment of his options, and he evaluated accurately. Sin's pleasure is temporary; and the true riches are to align with God's leader (whom the New Testament identifies as Jesus Christ; Hebrews 11:25-26), despite the reproach of that stand.
Moses' choices illustrates the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. He was looking beyond this world with spiritual eyes. He knew that certain things were short-term while other things have eternal value. His faith was personal-- no longer just that of his parents.
We can live in the presence of spiritual activities without necessarily making them our own. In 1 Corinthians 10:3-4, everyone of that time ate and drank spiritual food and water-- yet many did not please God, because they did not have faith. This is the key-- faith, not just a sense of duty.
Despite this understanding, Moses had to learn God's timing and ways more perfectly. He killed an Egyptian because he thought this would further God's purposes (Acts 7:25), but it did not. Instead it led to fear. Additionally, his brethren also lacked understanding about God's plans for Moses.
God's deliverer had come on the scene. Later the people would indeed be delivered.
Second Bible study: God's righteousness: Choosing the Lord's side
Read Exodus 32:7-8, 15-35; Psalm 106:23
First study - God's people | Third study: God's instruction Top
At this point, the people had already heard the Ten Commandments and promised to do all that God would say. Moses had gone up into the mountain alone to hear more from God. Meanwhile, Aaron responded to the complaints of the people by making a golden calf and calling it the god who delivered them from Egypt. Moses must respond to this wicked situation.
God is very direct as to how horrible sin is (Exodus 32:8). He even tells Moses that the people are his, as if God Himself can't associate with them at that moment. Similarly, the Lord Jesus had to call the temple "your house" when talking to the religious leaders of His day (Mt. 23:38)-- as if the temple were no longer God's house.
Yet Moses maintains that this is still God's people (32:11-12)! He does not take possession as if they are his.
When Moses first met the Lord, he had to remove his shoes because the ground was holy (Exodus 3). Now he has to respond to sin to uphold that same holiness of God.
The first two of the Ten Commandments were, "Have no other gods before Me," and, "Do not make any engraved image." By worshipping this golden calf, they were breaking the very first commandments they had heard from the Lord.
The heart is so quick to turn away from God. Yet God also has a quick response. The purpose of His response includes mercy-- putting an end to the people's sin so it doesn't become even worse.
Moses is being sent down to help the people who cannot help themselves. They needed someone to bring them back to God. Jesus Christ did this, too.
God's righteous character is also illustrated in Hosea. He had to call Israel "not My people" (Hosea 1:9) because He is the Holy One (11:9).
Moses prayed. But he also came down from the mountain. On the basis of God's word (the stone tablets) he acts. Yet he breaks them before entering the camp, as if breaking a contract the people had already signed and broken.
While on the mountain, Joshua heard war, but Moses knew it was the sound of a party. He had discernment. He was willing to teach Joshua, and Joshua accepted the explanation.
When Moses turned from God while on the mountain, it was a good action, because he turned in order to carry out God's purposes. He was on par with God's thoughts about the situation.
Moses' anger was burning, and he didn't shrink back from dealing first with his brother Aaron. Then he destroyed the idol completely. Next, he stood with others who were still on the Lord's side (32:26), rather than acting alone as he had in Exodus 2 (killing the Egyptian).
He also makes the people taste the bitterness of sin by grinding the idol to powder, mixing it with water, and making the people drink it. Similarly, the priest would eat part of the sin offering when someone brought one (Leviticus 6:26), as if the priest also needed to be reminded how terrible sin was in his own heart.
The people thought they were having fun, but Moses saw that it was only unbridled lust without any self-control.
Aaron had served with Moses, yet he is the one who led the people into sin. He was carried along by the demands of the people. Do we succumb to outside pressure that way? "The fear of man brings a snare" (Proverbs 29:25). Aaron's position of influence caused many to sin.
He should have repented when Moses talked to him. Instead, he puts a "spin" on things and says it all just happened. He also blamed the people instead of taking responsibility.
Aaron may have enjoyed the attention of the people being on him rather than Moses. This attitude, along with the idolatry, could illustrate potential failings in us all. However, we know he must have repented, because God can't use someone living with unconfessed sin. It might be that in Exodus 32:26 he came to Moses with the other children of Levi.
In a similar way, Peter influenced others when he turned back to fishing after the Lord's resurrection. He also had to be restored. Religious activity is not the way to keep God's ways and laws. We need the Spirit of God, as He came at Pentecost.
The next day Moses said he would "perhaps" be able to make an atonement for them (verse 30). Was he unsure about this? No, but he realized how depraved the sin had been and knew that judgment was not over.
Aaron's natural talent was speaking well (Exodus 3). Yet this natural ability failed him. He did not teach the people what was right, and he gave a ridiculous answer when Moses asked what had happened.
With the sons of Levi helping, a righteous response is decided at the entrance of the camp. Important decisions often seem to be made at the gate or entrance of a city, and this was certainly a solemn decision!
Third Bible study: God's instruction: Passing God's words along
Read Deuteronomy 31:1-13; 2 Timothy 2:1-2
First study - God's people | Second study: God's righteousness Top
In Deuteronomy 31, Moses reflects on God's faithfulness and His promises. At the age of 120 years, Moses is more encouraged than Jacob, who at the end of his life said, "Few and evil have been the days of my life" (Genesis 47:9). Instead of evil memories, we can appreciate Moses' calm confidence as he talks to the people, to Joshua, and to the priests and elders.
Moses does not desire to attach the people to himself, as leaders often do. Instead, he wants to attach their hearts to the Lord.
Moses is the first in the Bible to be called a "man of God" (Deuteronomy 33:1). He has a wonderful attitude of peace as he considers the ways of God. He also prepares a new leader so that a God-honoring transition can take place.
Moses had been going out and coming in (Deuteronomy 31:2). Sometimes we go out to serve the Lord but don't come back in to God's presence to have fellowship with Him. Moses did both.
Moses shares God's faithfulness, and it was from personal experience.
Training the next generation is essential. Moses must have been delighted at Joshua's progress for the Lord. Also, it's good to see that Moses knew when it was time to take a back seat and let others step into God's service.
Joshua's history shows his progression. He had fought against Amalek (Exodus 17), which is an example of fighting against the desires of our own flesh. He knew the importance of prayer on the mountaintop (Exodus 17). He was always found in Moses' presence, even when that meant a tent outside the main camp (Exodus 33). He was willing to learn when that was his role.
When Moses wants to encourage the people and Joshua, he highlights the Lord's past faithfulness. This gives weight to the Lord's future promises: "He will not leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6,8).
Moses made a point of identifying the next leader in the presence of all the people. Often there is failure because of failed leadership, and Moses wanted all the people to know that God had marked out Joshua for future service.
Joshua can also serve as an example of the Spirit of God, who now guides God's people after the Lord's departure to heaven.
Moses' words of encouragement to Joshua in 31:7-8 are very much like the words of God Himself in the book of Joshua (1:5-9). When we speak, we also ought to have the words of God Himself ("the oracles of God," 1 Peter 4:11).
Moses gave broad, general words of encouragement; and he also gave very detailed, particular instructions. These were to the priests and elders. They were to provide instruction in the words of God to the people, regularly and explicitly.
This instruction was the book of Deuteronomy itself, which recounts the ways of God with the people as they were delivered from Egypt and traveled through the wilderness. This would establish them to live for God in their inherited land. They would need spiritual intelligence to enjoy the Lord and what He had given them, just as we do.
The written word of God, the ark of God (representing His presence) and the rest which God provides-- these are all blessings for God's people (Deuteronomy 31:9-10).
We live in a time when we don't read the word of God as we used to and as we should. We are instructed to read it aloud to others (31:11), and we are to hear it and learn it (31:12-13). Teaching the Scriptures and studying them ourselves are key aspects of our spiritual lives.
Also, the time of rest (pictured by the Jewish sabbatical year) and the word of God go together.
