Out of Midian

The name “Moses” triggers vivid images of the Exodus – the awesome plagues in Egypt, the incredible parting of the Red Sea, the victory over the Amalekites, Mount Sinai engulfed in smoke and cloud as one man ascended alone to meet with God to receive the Ten Commandments, miracles of bitter waters made sweet and water springing forth from the rock.

The story of Moses began with his untimely birth when the Israelites were being oppressed as slaves in Egypt, and when Pharaoh had ordered all newborn male Israelites to be killed. By God’s arrangement, his life was preserved when he was adopted and raised in the palace by Pharaoh’s daughter, with his natural mother becoming his nurse[i]. This was probably why he knew all along that he was an Israelite. When he was of age, he decided to visit his brethren. When he saw their burdens and witnessed an Egyptian[ii] abusing one of his Hebrew brethren, his indignation drove him to strike and kill the Egyptian. This was surely no mere act of rashness committed on the spur of the moment. Rather, it signified a critical decision of faith-the determination to deliver his oppressed brethren and to deny the fleeing pleasures of sin that life as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter would bring. So he chose to forsake Egypt, to suffer affliction with the people of God, and to risk the wrath of the King.[iii]

To Moses’ surprise, his brethren failed to understand God’s intention of the delivering them by his hand. They did not appreciate his actions. In fact, they openly showed this lack of recognition when he attempted to reconcile two fighting brethren. They challenged his authority! This was a great blow to Moses.

Was it not God who had preserved his life and let him realize his status as a Hebrew? Was it not God who had nurtured his faith and zeal, so that he could clearly recognize his calling to deliver the Israelites? Were his Hebrew brethren not eager to be delivered from oppression? How was it then that they did not understand the tough internal struggles he had undergone to forsake all he had to be with them, to take up the even tougher task of delivering them? And when these people did not understand, why did God who had appointed him to the task remain silent? Though God had His purpose, Moses simply found no answer. The setback was too heavy to bear. The rejection of the people was too painful. Utterly confused and disappointed, Moses faded into Midian.