It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

Moses in Midian

Here are the answers to last week's questions: The name of Jethro's daughter that was given to Moses for his wife was Zipporah (Exodus 2:21,22); the other young man who had a similar experience as did Moses at the water well was Jacob (Genesis 29:1-20).

We go forward 40 years from the time of our study last week to today's study. Remember, an Egyptian king had arisen that did not know what Joseph, the Hebrews' ancestor, had done for Egypt, through God's direction. Because the Hebrews had become a large group of people, great bondage had been placed on Jacob's descendants. Eighty years have passed since the decree was made to kill all the male Hebrew children, as they were born. The people have been under severe bondage all this time. We learned in last week's study that Moses had defended his people and killed an Egyptian taskmaster.

I am sure most of us have beheld the wonders of God's creation, and have marveled at its consequences. Consider the creation of the universe. We marvel even at our galaxy; yet today, we know millions more galaxies exist. But, Moses beheld something we have not seen. He saw a bush that was on fire, but did not burn up. What would we think, and do, if a bush was burning, yet its leaves and branches did not burn up, and were not consumed in the fire? It is something we will never see. And, Moses had never seen it before; therefore, his interest in it. Notice Exodus 3:3.

This is not the first time God's will had been done in the life of Moses, but it is the first time God had spoken directly to him. God called out from the midst of the bush, "Moses, Moses" (Exodus 3:4). Moses said, "Here am I." We can realize the fear Moses had. The Lord said to Moses that He had seen the affliction of His people, and had heard their cry by reason of the taskmasters. He had come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them to a good land, a large land, one that flowed with milk and honey. He then tells Moses that he is to go to Pharaoh to bring forth "my people the children of Israel out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10).

Throughout all of our study thus far, one principle has been in evidence, one common thread in God's dealings with mankind. That principle is: God has always given man clear instructions about what He requires. In the first age, the Patriarchal, God dealt with man by families, giving instructions to the head of each family. He gave specific instructions to Adam and Eve, to Cain and Abel, to Noah. In the age about which we will now be studying, God gives to a nation, the children of Israel, directions on how to flee Egypt and go to the promised land. They will have to have faith in God's plan and obey it. Many will not, and will die, not reaching the promised land. Even Moses, because of disobedience, will not get to enjoy the land that flows with milk and honey. Next week, "Let my people go!"