*Exodus 2:11-25
Saved from the Pharaoh’s decree, Moses flees Egypt after killing an Egyptian and finds refuge in Midian, where he helps seven sisters water their flock.
- Moses’ Encounter with an Egyptian Oppressor:
- Moses, having grown up in the household of Pharaoh, witnesses an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave.
- Moved by a sense of justice, Moses intervenes and strikes down the Egyptian, killing him.
- He looks around and, seeing no one, buries the Egyptian in the sand.
- Moses’ Conflict with Hebrews:
- The next day, Moses encounters two Hebrew men fighting and attempts to reconcile them.
- One of the men questions Moses’ authority to intervene, asking if he intends to kill him as he did the Egyptian.
- Moses’ Flight to Midian:
- Realizing that news of his actions has spread, Moses becomes afraid and flees from Egypt to the land of Midian.
- He settles by a well, where he comes to the aid of seven sisters who are being harassed by shepherds.
- Moses’ Marriage to Zipporah:
- The sisters return home early, and their father, Reuel (also known as Jethro), invites Moses to their home.
- Moses stays with them and eventually marries one of Reuel’s daughters, Zipporah.
- Birth of Moses’ Son:
- Zipporah gives birth to a son, whom Moses names Gershom, meaning “I have been a stranger in a foreign land,” reflecting Moses’ sense of displacement.
- God’s Response to Israel’s Suffering:
- Meanwhile, in Egypt, the Israelites continue to suffer under oppression, and their cry for deliverance reaches God’s ears.
- Divine Providence:
- Though Moses has fled from Egypt, God has not forgotten his people or his plan to rescue them from bondage.
- This sets the stage for the next chapter in Moses’ life, where he will be called by God to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom.
Daily Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that You see our struggles and hear our cries. Just as You heard the groaning of Your people in Egypt and remembered Your promise to them, help us to trust that You are always near and working for our good.
Lord, teach us to act with compassion and humility, as Moses did when he stood up for the oppressed. Give us wisdom to know when and how to help others, and patience to wait for Your timing in our lives.
We are grateful for Your faithfulness and mercy. Strengthen us to trust in Your plan, even when the way forward is unclear.
Amen.
Exodus 2:11-25 (KJV)
2:11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
2:12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
2:13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 2:14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.
2:15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
2:17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
2:18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? 2:19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
2:20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
2:21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
2:22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
2:25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.