The Preparation of a Leader

REFLECTION TEXT: Psalm 118:1-2, 5-6

SERMON TEXT: Exodus 2:1-25 (Reading Ex 2:1-15)

BENEDICTION: Romans 15:5-6

INTRO / TRANSITION

Last week, we focused on the sinister persecution of Pharaoh on the Israelites: Slavery, Savagery, Slaughter. It didn’t take much to recognize that his key influencer was the Father of lies, that serpent, the Devil who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

If this were your first reading of Exodus, without any “spoiler” knowledge, you wold be right to anticipate that God will step in to this situation somehow and miraculously intervene to bring redemption to his people.

Chapter 2, gives us a glimmer of hope. One of those Hebrew boy babies is spared…we don’t know yet that this birth and preparation is for the deliverer of Israel—Moses.

The Bible student recognizes that there are no surprises here. God is in control, guiding, directing and working out all things for the good of his people. He still does today.

And no matter how the ungodly, the seed of the serpent, attempt to thwart God’s plan (as we saw in chapter 1), they cannot and will not succeed (as we’ll begin to see unfold today in Chapter 2). This is still true today!

Fragile Hope = Remember, the people of Israel don’t necessarily know anything about Moses at this point. We’ll also see how well things play out when they are handled in the strength of the flesh.

Let’s dive in this morning.

We are about to discover that it was not just the people as a whole who were in the hand of God, but that God’s providence covered the individual as well…may the LORD encourage you with that truth this morning.

MOSES, THE FRAGILE INFANT

(Exodus 2:1-11)

Notice his parents. (v1)

It is significant that Moses was born a Levite.

The tribe of Levi was later to be set apart (at Mount Sinai) for the particular work of carrying the holy objects of the tabernacle. (Num 7:9)

They were also set apart as substitutes for the first-born of Israel (Num. 3:40–51).

(INSERT) We westerners want to know “what” someone does…but Hebrews (and most Middle Easterners) want to know “who” someone is - by way of their family and land.

So, to the Hebrew reader, this genealogy is significant - it shows that Moses was being set apart for God’s special service, as his tribe would later be set apart.

Notice the Plan (vv 2-4)

Hidden for 3 months (v2)

This loving mother and father standing in the gap for His life while the weight of Egyptian power raged against them. (Heb 11 reminds us that both Jochebed and Amram hid him.)

The loving Heavenly Father frustrating the enemy’s plan by His “chesed” love for his people as a people…and as individuals.

Sent off by faith (vv 3-4)

She wanted to ensure that the child would be discovered.

What she could not be certain of was whether or not the person who discovered the baby would have compassion on him.

Ultimately, she was placing Moses in the hands of God.

Notice God’s Protection and Provision (vv 5-10)

Protected by God

Exalting Jesus in Exodus Redemption and Mission

Moses floats down the dangerous Nile! God sovereignly cares for this little boy. God keeps Moses from crocodiles, starvation, and drowning.

This reminds us of the Deliverer who survived the ruthlessness of another dictator. Just as Moses lived in spite of the genocide, so Jesus lived through the baby-killing leadership of Herod ( Matt 2:16).

Noticed & Nurtured by Pharaoh’s daughter (v5-6)

It was not just the Nile River, but also the royal house that would bow to God’s providence.

The very same royal house which had decreed death was made the instrument of life when Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe (2:5). She came from a savage and heartless royal family, and yet here she was - a girl with a watchful eye, tender heart, even maternal disposition.

Reconnected with his mother and family for his care and nourishment (vv 7-10)

What an incredible turn of events…you can’t make this stuff up!

Can you imagine with me for a moment though...

Moses’ mother carrying the baby out and about and being met in the street with, ‘That’s a lovely little girl you have there, Mrs Amram’ (because, of course, sons would not be out on public view)

and her being able to reply, ‘Oh, no, this is my son, Moses.’

‘Well then, hadn’t you better keep him hidden?’ would have been the obvious response.

‘Certainly not!’ she could say with confidence, ‘He’s the adopted son of Pharaoh’ daughter. They can’t touch him.’

Isaiah 55:8–9 ESV

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

2 Timothy 1:12 ESV

12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

In Moses childhood, we notice his parents, the plan in place, and the incredible protection and provision that God had sovereignly ordered for him.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE TOO! THERE ARE MOVING PIECES AND PEOPLE THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE FULLY AWARE OF…But God is working all things together for His Glory in your life - Trust Him. Obey Him. Delight in Him. Dive deep into His body - the Church…whether you see it or not; God has “got” this!

Moses grows up a bit…and probably like many of us, he gets a LITTLE older and gets into LOTS of trouble.

2. MOSES THE IMPULSIVE FAILURE

(Exodus 2:11-14)

Though Moses enjoyed the privileges of the Egyptian court, he never forgot his Israelite heritage. He winds up killing an Egyptian while trying to protect a Hebrew.

He saw an injustice (v11)

He took matters into his own hands (v12)

His actions before and after indicate that he knew he was doing wrong

He looked around

He buried him in the sand

He goes about his business as if nothing had happened (v13)

[[reminds me of Samson. Following a catastrophic failure and lapse of judgment, he went out as he had before not knowing that anything had changed…though he was bound for defeat.]]

He sees another instance where he can step in and (HUGE AIR QUOTES) “Help”

The Response: Who are you to judge? You’re not fit to lead!

Exalting Jesus in Exodus Redemption and Mission

While some may say that Moses had the right to kill him as a son of Pharaoh, his own conscience reveals to us that he knew it was wrong for before he acted, he looked around, and after he acted, he “hid [the Egyptian] in the sand.” This act reveals that Moses still had a lot to learn before he would be ready to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Moses thought he was in the clear…but

Numbers 32:23 ESV

23 But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.

Proverbs 28:13 ESV

13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Like my 7th grade math teacher told me, often (this was before Christ): “No matter what you say or do, someone is always watching you.”

Moses flees to Midian (v14-15)

The fact that Moses killed a man when given an opportunity.

The fact that he hid it - and thought he’d gotten away with it.

The fact that he fled as soon as he was mocked and taunted...

ALL POINT TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS NOT READY TO LEAD. HIS PREPARATION WAS NOT OVER, IT WAS JUST GETTING STARTED.

You may be called by God to engage in some fantastic adventure and do great exploits on His behalf. You may be called by God to be deployed to a hard place where Christ has not yet been named.

God is always more interested in your sanctification than He is your gratification with your current situation.

Few things school us so intimately as failure and pain.

Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version Study Notes for Exodus

Are we patient in similar periods of training? Do we see the value of our educations in areas of “general revelation” or “secular” topics? God uses these times to shape our minds for future usefulness. It is a mark of his great love for us.

3.MOSES FLEEING TO MIDIAN

(Exodus 2:15-20)

Midian - The Midianites’ name came from the fourth son of Abraham by his second wife, Keturah ( Gen 25:2). Some of the teachings of Abraham possibly continued with the Midianites. Josephus tells us that the Midianites lived around the Gulf of Aqabah, which is at the north end of the Red Sea, about 120 miles south-southwest of the Dead Sea in the wilderness.

Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014).

A Study Commentary on Exodus, Volume 1: Exodus 1–18 Moses Escapes to Midian (Exodus 2:11–22)

The Midianites were primarily herdsmen, migrating with their livestock according to the seasons, and they were also involved in international trade (Gen. 37:28). It goes without saying that the culture and lifestyle of Midian were unlike those of Egypt.

While Moses is sitting by the well, the daughters of Reuel (also referred to as Jethro - one is likely his name and one his connected to his priestly role) came to draw water to care for their father’s flock

A group of shepherds came up - drove the women away

Moses intervenes - but this time / with wisdom

NOTICE HIS DIFFERENT APPROACH (HE IS ALREADY SHOWING HIMSELF QUITE TEACHABLE)

THE SAVING He sees these women who are victimized and oppressed by shepherds as they drive them away from the water. Moses stands up for the persecuted and rescues them from the oppressors.

Moses’ character is underscored here. He is brave, loves justice and does good things. He takes the side of the weak and the oppressed. These traits will serve him well in the later deliverance of the Hebrews.

THE SERVING - he not only rescues them, he waters their flock. He begins to display servant leadership.

Good news travels fast! The daughters go home to tell their dad.

This Egyptian saved us then took care of your flock

The dad responds (as most of us would), WHERE IS THIS MAN?!

Last week we explored the fruit of wicked rulers...

Notice here the fruit of servant leadership; this humble act of service from the former Prince of Egypt not only got him some bread…but also rewarded him with marriage!

Quick note: If you’re “in the market” for a husband or wife…maybe quit looking. Start serving the Lord…run hard for Jesus, then notice who is running just as hard - you two might make a great team!

Instead of “swiping left”, serve others and let God bring the reward!

4.MOSES THE FAMILY MAN

(Exodus 2:21-22)

Moses settles in with Reuel’s family. (v21)

Notice he was settled and content BEFORE he had a bride.

He marries Zipporah (v21)

with the Father’s blessing

They have a child together

There is a lovely initial lesson for Moses (and us) from his flight to Midian - the Lord still loved and cared for him in the midst of his mistakes and failures (cf. 1 Kgs 19:3–8).

Moses, who humanly speaking, had ‘messed the whole thing up’, found safety, home and family awaiting him, made ready by a gracious but yet undeclared providence. (Spoiler Alert: This “undeclared” status all changes in Chapter 3.)

A FEW OBSERVATIONS / KEY PRINCIPLES FROM OUR TEXT THIS MORNING (Before another great cliffhanger).

PATIENCE is essential in Leadership Development.

There is no way in which we can read this story and say there is a quick or easy way out of, or even through, the sufferings and difficulties of this life.

We’ll see in Chapter 3 even when Moses goes back to Egypt from Midian, the way was still hard.

We always naturally want simple, quick solutions, the equivalent of instant coffee in spiritual reality! Occasionally the Lord will satisfy that desire, but for the most part he does not.

The book of Acts explains that Moses spent 40 years in Midian.

- Someone said, “Moses was 40 years in Egypt learning something; 40 years in the desert learning to be nothing; and 40 years in the wilderness proving God to be everything” (in James Boyce, Ordinary Men, 59).

He spent two years of preparation for every one year of ministry.

By living in the wilderness, he learned to rely on God.

By having a family, he learned to lead, guide, and discipline those he loved.

By working with the Midianites, most likely as a shepherd, he developed skills to help him lead the Israelites out of their enslavement.

Like Moses, and the Exodus people, we face the demand for persevering in faithfulness and patience awaiting the coming day.

Principle #2 People are essential in your Leadership Development…God will make sure of it.

Here is another reminder that we are not SAVED by the LORD to live in isolation. The Bible is replete with examples of our Heavenly Father using key people in the life and formation of character in others.

NOTICE HOW THE LORD SHINES THE LIGHT ON THE WOMEN IN MOSES’ LIFE & DEVELOPMENT

While Moses’ was in the womb / The midwives of Chapter 1 (Shiprah & Puah) who stand in the gap for the voiceless and the vulnerable

While Moses’ was a tiny infant / Levi’s Daughter (vv 1-3) giving birth and hiding the baby in a culture of death.

Jochebed’s Daughter (vv 4-9) watching out for the baby in the basket; placing herself in the right place and the right time with a right sugguestion

From helpless baby to growing boy / Pharaoh’s Daughter (v 10) caring for him. Making sure he was educated and instructed in the ways of the land

Remembering his deeds of valor as a man / Reuel’s Daughters (vv 11-20)

Taking him as a husband / Zipporah (v 21) becomes Moses’ wife and the mother of his child. As the two cleave to one another and make home, Moses learns the value of shepherding those closest to him.

BOTTOM LINE: This world, your family, your path, your life may seem disconnected, disjointed…but it is not outside the control of our LORD! God is working even when we don’t see, feel, or hear him. And He is constantly working on us.

CLOSE

I don’t know exactly where every single person is this morning on their walk with God or their development

You may still be on the Nile, in a basket - totally dependent on others at this point in your preparation

You may have men or women pouring into your life in ways you don’t quite understand…wishing they would equip you to think big, when they’re pushing you to focus on your own character development

You may have answers to everyone’s problems that you see around you, but you’re still to impulsive, reflexive, and easily unhinged if you think you’re in the right.

You may think you are running from your problems, even running from your calling or your destiny - but you may, in fact, be running headlong into the next chapter of your development and preparation as a leader

ALL OF US who are in Christ long to be in the center of God’s will.

ALL OF US in this building need to understand that God’s chief interest in our lives is HIS GLORY and our BECOMING MORE AND MORE LIKE JESUS.

LET’S PRAY...

BTW, Lest we forget, there is a great deal still happening back in Egypt.

Exodus 2:23–25 ESV

23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

God’s people prayed…we’ll see the Lord’s response next Sunday.