Experiences that Change a Person's Life

Exodus 2:11-25

L/W-Discussed the events of Moses’ birth and the focus on Moses’ mother’s courageous faith; read and learned about the symmetry of Moses’ “ark” and how that points us to Christ

Today: We begin our look into the life of Moses and the events/experiences which changed the course of his life. In doing so, we will see, be challenged, and maybe even convicted as we learn how our own experiences can change our lives and the lives of those around us.

Setting and Set-Up

The account of Exodus picks up, “when Moses was grown.”

By most accounts this places Moses about 40 years of age

What we know:

Moses was rescued from the reeds b/c of his mother’s courageous faith in trusting her son to the Lord

Moses was nursed, weaned, brought up by his mother and father (by God’s sovereign hand and providence)

Moses was ultimately given over to be adopted and named by Pharaoh’s daughter

But these are the events of Moses’ early life:

What we don’t know:

We know nothing ABOUT him from birth to about 40 years of age. Only one (1) verse attests to anything relating to his life before 40

Acts 7:23 ““Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.”

Not a single event was recorded for the first 40 years of his life

Nothing during this period of Moses’ life, God desired for us to know

What’s the point

This teaches us that what is about to be said concerning Moses is of critical importance. Why? Because God chose to record it, to have it written down in His Word for us. Why? So we can learn, so we can know, so we can see what it is God desires us to know. Because what He wants us to know is

(1) There was a plan of deliverance for Israel; and that Moses was His chosen vessel to lead Israel from bondage

(2) This is amazing symmetry and foreshadowing of the God’s very purpose in giving us the Gospel—There was and is a plan of deliverance our out of sin—and His chosen vessel was His very own Son. The whole of God’s Word speaks to His great plan of redemption and deliverance.

That God chose to write it down for us, proves His desire for us (for you) to know about it. God desires you to know about His plan of redemption and deliverance. He doesn’t desire and He hasn’t left you in the dark about His plan of deliverance.

God sets out with his plan of deliverance of the Israelites, by calling, equipping, and preparing Moses.

From God’s perspective, everything Moses was about to experience was to prepare him for what the Lord was calling him to do.

In these five (5) experiences we will discuss today, we’ll learn how these experiences changed the course of Moses’ life; and in doing so, we will see, be challenged, and maybe even convicted as we learn how our own experiences can change the course of our lives and even effect the lives of those around us.

I. (v.11) (Moses’ First Experience)—His visit to his own people

Exodus 2:11 “Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.”

(Culture and Context)

Note some facts about this visit:

It changed his life:

It stirred a spirit of purpose, mission, and compassion within Moses—a spirit that identified with his people

Note when he went out to his people; “…when Moses was grown...” (Acts 7:23 says 40) MORE ON THIS SOON

Does this mean he never went out before, never saw his brother Aaron or his sister Miriam?

Had he never seen his mother again? Had he gone thirty something (+) years and never seen them?

Not likely—here’s why (though Scripture doesn’t specifically say): Look back at the events from last week

When Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses as a baby, she knew he was Hebrew and had a Hebrew woman nurse the baby---unknown to Moses it was his own mother.

Being nursed by his mother, Moses would have known his heritage and being raised by his mother, it is almost certain, she would have taught Moses:

About his heritage

About God and his great promises of deliverance

Being nursed by his mother, she would have been allowed to maintain a relationship with Moses’ life throughout his life under Pharaoh

Note these things are likely; but still, we know nothing of Moses’ life until he visits his people at 40 years old

So why now? Why is this the first event God wanted us to to know about? Because this event reveals a great change in the heart and life of Moses—a change taking place in his hearts towards his people…(Four things)

Moses went out to visit Israel when he had “grown up”

“Grown”-means more than just years or chronological age

“Grown”-means maturity, full development; his heart was mature; he had a sense of purpose and mission in life

The words, “went out” are emphatic

Moses had a sense of purpose in going out to see his people…a purpose to go out and help his people

Moses stood before his people, “looking at their burdens”

“Looked,” or “watched”—means to look with sympathy/with deep feelings and emotions, to identify with

This verse implies that Moses went to investigate the sufferings of his people; that he:

Intentionally went to look over the people and their situation, that he

Intentionally looked upon, with deep feelings and emotions the heavy burdens which were weighing them down

The impact of his “looking?”

Moses was moved, touched with the deepest emotions and feelings possible

Moses’ heart reached out in compassion for them.

Moses felt for his people and identified with them

Moses’ experience resulted in what Stephen preaches in Acts 7:23 ““Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.” (“…it came into his heart...”—NKJV; “…entered his mind...”—ASV; “…he decided...”--NIV)

(You and me) Just as the sense of compassion would change the course of Moses’ life, so to can a sense of compassion change our lives

Most, if not all of us occasionally sense compassion for other—but how many of, “the most” act upon it?

in allowing compassion to grip us, as it did Moses, think of the desperate needs of so many that would be met; the needs of the:

Orphan

Widow/widowers

Lonely

Prisoners

Brokenhearted

Dying/diseased

Suffering

Alienated

Unforgiven

Lost/the sinful

Discriminated

(It was this spirit of compassion that spurred Jesus)

In this first experience of Moses—it serves to show him as a Christ-type: in fact, there is some biblical symmetry b/t Moses and Jesus

Moses—went when he was grown up (age 40)

Jesus—began His ministry when he had, “grown up” (around age 30)

Moses—”went out” with a purpose and mission—a heart stirred and set on helping his people

Jesus—stepped out of heaven with a purpose/mission— heart that was set on helping those He created

Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Moses—Stood before his people and “watched” (remember the meaning)

Jesus as Matthew records: Matthew 9:12 “When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”

Jesus doesn’t stand afar off, seeing your condition of sin and bondage, only to turn and walk away, refusing to do anything it

Jesus sees your heart condition—He sees the effect sin and bondage has on you, and it pains Him--He has compassion on you—a compassion which led Him in full humility to step out of heaven to come to where you are—what you are sitting in—what sin(s) hold you, so that you might be delivered out of them!

WE SEE THIS IN THE NEXT POINT AS WELL

Moses—The thought of seeing his people in bondage/affliction, moved him to compassion, he

Jesus—as, again Matthew records,(Matthew 9:36) “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”

NOTE the sovereignty of God here: Jesus wasn’t and isn’t surprised, b/c in God’s perfect wisdom and foreknowledge—the plan of redemption was already laid in place before one breath of creation was uttered.

Romans 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Ephesians 1:5-6 “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

“Predestined does not mean He picks and chooses who will be saved or condemned. It means that God predestined—set it up beforehand, that whosoever believes in His Son would have eternal life. This speaks to the truth that the our deliverer from sin, Jesus Christ—was set to come to us—before we were even created

II. (v.11-12-Moses’ second experience) His act of murder, his reaction of a carnal, fleshly spirit—which was allowed by Moses

Exodus 2:11-12 “Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.”

(Context and culture)

Moses stood watching his people be subjected to slavery; making bricks/mortar and tending the fields

Moses stood watching his people suffer beyond measure under the driving demands and threats of these taskmasters

Moses sees an Egyptian task master beating a Hebrew slave (v.11), a slave who was helpless against the schemes and brutality of this taskmaster

Moses anger arose and he reacted in the flesh. How?

“So he looked this way and that way”—He looked to see who was watching

“…when he saw no one,”—He made sure no one was looking

“he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.”

Moses’ actions were not justified, as some may think. Why?

He acted on impulse/anger/wrath/rage

He failed to discipline and control his emotions

In the “looking around”, “killing and burying (hiding)”, Moses apparently knew he was wrong-innocent people don’t do this

He had given into his carnal, fleshly nature

Moses actions—Moses carnal and fleshly natured decision were to create a ripple effect and produce a radical change his life (see this in the next point)

(You and me)

Look back at the process that led to Moses’ decision and we can see a glimpse of ourselves

Moses’ anger arose (the thought)

The sinful thought enters the mind and where it should be captured, it’s not, and it leads to the next...

Moses looked around to see if anyone was looking (the attitude)

The attitude that manifests itself and where it should be captured, it’s not, and it leads to the next....

Moses killed and buried the man (action)

The thoughts and attitudes that aren’t held captured, result in the actions of our carnal and fleshly nature

James 1:14-15 “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

Decisions of our carnal/fleshly nature often bring radical change to our lives and the lives of others

Relationships are effected by our carnal/fleshly decisions

Marriages are effected by a spouses carnal/fleshly decisions

Jobs are effected by our carnal/fleshly decisions

It doesn’t take a multitude of these decisions, our lives can be changed by ONE act, an act of

Adultery—David/Bathsheba

Stealing—Achan (Acts 7)

Lying—Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:11)

Cheating-

Gossiping

Laziness

Addiction (alcohol, drugs, pornography, money, fame, status)

Scriptures warning against living in the flesh:

Romans 8:5-6 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Colossians 3:5 “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

1 Peter 2:11 “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,”

1 Peter 4:2 “that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”

Scriptures promise of redemption when we turn from our flesh to Christ

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Psalm 32:5 “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Scriptures instruction of what we must do (as seen in Ruth 1)

Ruth 1:7 “Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.”

III.(v.13-15-Moses’ third experience) His attempt to settle a dispute; the discovery of sin

Exodus 2:13-15 “And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why are you striking your companion?” Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!” When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.”

(Context and culture)

Very next day—Moses saw two Hebrew men fighting— and tried to stop them and make peace (v.13)

The result—we see Moses reap the results of his sinful decision (v.13-15). Three consequences here:

(v.14) Moses reaped a ruined testimony-what he tried to do was commendable, but

His sin was known and his testimony ruined

His help was rejected

His hope he held for helping his people was now lost—b/c of his fleshly and carnal natured decision

(v.14) Moses reaped a tormenting fear—a fear that would fill his heart and that he would live in b/c of his decision

His sin was known—was public knowledge

His sin resulted in him no longer being able to face his people—not without embarrassment and shame

His sin resulted in Pharaoh hearing about his murder

(v.15) Moses reaped the loss of being alienated (this was the most devastating)

His sin reaped a life of separation from his family and his people

His sin has caused him to lose everything

His sin had caused him to reap the consequence of having to flee and leave everything behind

His family

His people

His livelihood

His hope, if any, of helping his people

(You and me)—Secret sin, when it becomes known drastically changes our lives

Sin, just as with Moses:

Ruins our testimony

Causes tormenting fear

Results in separation/alienation from those we love the most

(Results of prodigal living) Luke 15:13-16 “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.”

Hidden sin will never go unexposed—despite our best efforts to keep it hidden

Moses and the Reubenites (Numbers 32:23) “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.”

(I wonder if in this statement by Moses to the Reubenites, Moses had this incident on his mind)?

Hidden sin causes damage and harm

Psalm 32:3-4 “When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.”

Hidden sin causes damage to more than just ourselves (Achan)

Joshua 7:23-25 “And they took them from the midst of the tent, brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord. Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.” So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.”

What is needed:

Matthew 5:3 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

We need to recognize our spiritual condition apart from Christ

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

We need to mourn and lament our sin

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

We need to seek after forgiveness

What is required:

Biblical humility-this is confession before one gets caught!

IV. (v.15-22 Moses’ fourth experience)—He flees to Midian; preparation and growth

Exodus 2:15-22 “When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “How is it that you have come so soon today?” And they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.” So he said to his daughters, “And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.””

(Context and culture)--This time in the wilderness in Midian were to be a time where God would grow, strengthen, equip, and prepare Moses to be called to deliver the people of Israel. How as he to be grown, what areas? There are five (5)—(WE WILL UNPACK TWO OF THEM, BUT MENTION ALL 5)

Moses’ character grew by living in Midian—a place he chose to live (v.15)

Midian was located (by best estimates) in the NW corner of Arabia

Located in a desert wilderness—unlike the cultured and prominent Egypt he had grew up in

It was a hard/harsh and poor country—unlike the conditions he grew up in under Pharaoh

It was a land/area totally opposite of what Moses grew up in

Midian was the place where Moses was to learn

the terrain of the wilderness

the harsh environment where food/water sources were scarce and scattered

the strength needed to face poverty, by living in a harsh/rough place

the sufferings of those who lived in this land

Midian was the place where Moses learned to be a shepherd—a shepherd of people

ALL Of THIS WAS PREPARE MOSES FOR WHAT GOD WAS GOING TO CALL HIM INTO

Moses’ character grew by standing up for justice and for the oppressed

Prior to Midian his sense of justice was seen

Took a stand against the Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave—despite killing the Egyptian it showed his heart to stand up for the oppressed

Took a stand for the oppresses Israelite who was drawn into a fight with a fellow Israelite

In Midian his sense of justice was seen/present (v.15-20)

Moses’ character grew by committing himself to serve and work for others (v.21)

Moses—up to this point Moses had never served or worked at hard labor-for anyone, for his life up to this point

Moses—to be a member of Jethro’s household, meant he was to serve and work for Jethro, as was the custom

Moses—would now spend the next several years (40) learning what hard, laborious work was—what it really meant to serve others

Moses’ character grew by making a commitment to marriage

True marriage, a true godly union teaches a person two great things (which Moses was sure to have learned):

Agape love-is a love which is

sacrificial

a love of self-denial and unselfishness

Commitment—committing oneself to a person no matter

what arises

the trials/circumstances

the difficulties/trouble

the suffering/failures

shortcomings/weaknesses

True marriage is one which:

learns what real commitment is

confronts and overcomes the trials and problems that will arise

persists and perseveres

Moses’ character grew by declaring his faith in the promised land. How?

Naming of his son—Gershom

“Gershom” means stranger, alien, sojourner, or expulsion

Why Gershom?

Moses was a stranger in the land of Midian

Why was Moses not claiming Midian as his home? He had settled there and he had married there; he was having children there; he was to live there for 40 years

Where was his land?

It was not Egypt—Moses was not Egyptian—and his people were under affliction there

The “Promised Land”—which is a picture of the promised land of heaven

(You and me)

V. (v.23-25) Moses’ people—Israel and their suffering; how God prepared Israel for deliverance

Exodus 2:23-25 “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.”

40 years had passed between v.22 and v.23; 40 years between when Moses fled from Egypt to Midian

For Moses it was time of preparation, equipping, and chastening

For Israel it was a time of God’s discipline and chastisement—in God allowing Israel to suffer. Why?

Israel had given themselves over to Egypt’s gods and culture

They had become spiritually soft, living in comfort, plenty, and ease since Joseph’s death

They had become more interested in the things of the world rather than the promises of God

Scripture itself supports this:

Ezekiel 20:7-8 “Then I said to them, ‘Each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’ But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me. They did not all cast away the abominations which were before their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said, ‘I will pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.’”

(Culture and Context)--”In the process of time...”

In God’s timing—in preparing, equipping, and sanctifying Moses and in allowing Israel to suffer for their idolatry and disobedience, God’s sovereign plan of deliverance began to take shape:

The king of Egypt died (v.23)

The same king who had sought to arrest/kill Moses

The Israelites suffered and groaned b/c of their enslavement and bondage

(Note 1) “Groaned” the idea behind the language here is the Israelites’

Bitterness of their enslavement

Misery, anguish, and pain

Crying out in desperation

Groaning under the heaviest affliction

(Note 2) This means the people of Israel were generally repentant for how they had been living

They had been broken and were turning back to God

The response of God is strong (note the 4 verbs used in these verses (24-25)—He was stirred and moved—and He acted with four responses:

“God heard...”

God never turns a deaf ear to the person who turns to Him.

God always hears the cries of those who truly cry out to Him.

“God remembered...”

His covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (3-Abrahamic Covenant contains three)

Promised seed or descendants—for Israel nation to be born from the seed of Abraham

Promise of the promised seed—the one Seed or one Descendant—Jesus Christ—to come out of Israel

Promise of the promised land—the land of Canaan and to the land of heaven

This does not mean that God forgot—He never forgets

God “remembered” or “remembers”—means God is actively thinking about the covenant promises He makes

“God looked upon...”

He had compassion for them

“God has respect of them (took notice of them (NAS); acknowledged them (NKJV)...”

The Hebrew word for this literally means:

He knew

He knew experientially

He knew feeling for them

This means:

God knew all about the pain/anguish of the people

God knew all about the Israelites’ affliction/bondage

(You and me)

In a person’s (in your) genuine repentance and desperate cries to the Lord, He

Hears you

He remembers (thinks on) what He’s promised you

He has compassion towards you

He knows you…takes notice of you

(WORSHIP TEAM)

Experiences have the ability to change the course of our lives. Whether big or small or good or bad, whether something in our control or out of our control, experiences have the ability to change our lives and change the course of our lives

For me, the experience of almost dying in a flood as a police officer and the choices I made after changed my life, changed my marriage, and altered the course of my life; and while it certainly wasn’t pretty God used it to:

Redeem/restore/reconcile my heart to Himself

Redeem/restore/reconcile my marriage

Redeem/restore/reconcile my role as a father

Call and equip me and my family

For my family in 2017—it was either come on vacation with my folks to Rapid City—or go on our annual youth retreat to Panama City.

At the time we really wanted to continue in going to Panama City, FL but felt that we should go with my parents to SD—we didn’t know why on the airplane coming here…but we knew why flying back; God has used this experience

To burden our hearts for the people and families in the Black Hills

To call us and lead us to into ministry

To draw us out of our comfort zones and into a contentment only He could provide

No matter what they are—our experiences will and can change the course of our lives; and the lens we use as we encounter them, determines how we navigate them.

When experiences arise, the lens we use in dealing with each experience, can and will change the course of our lives—think of it this way: Think of a pebble thrown into a still pond. The pebble represents the decision(s) we make in each experience we face. A pebble creates ripples in the water, changing the condition and course of the water, while affecting life within the pond. So too, do the decisions we make. Our decisions create a ripple effect; and depending on the lens we use in making our decisions, determines how far the ripple goes and what the effect it has on our lives and the lives of others.

What lens are you operating with? Are you looking through the lens of the Gospel or the lens of self/of pride/of the world?

In experiencing loss (loved one, a friend, a job)---what are the decisions you are making to deal with it?

In experiencing hurt (from a loved one, a friend, a co-worker)—what are the decisions you are making to deal with it?

In experiencing temptation and sin—what are the decisions you are making to deal with it?

In experiencing God convict you over some sin/temptation—what are the decisions you are making to deal with it?

In experiencing hardship in your marriage-what are the decisions you are making to deal with it?

In experiencing hardship as a parent/or a child—what are the decisions you are making to deal with it?

In experiencing God’s Word calling you out of darkness and into marvelous lights, what’s the decision you are going to make to deal with it?