By Adam Winn, Ph. D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies at Samford University
WHEN YOUR ACTIONS CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION
Exodus 2:11–22; 3:5–10
Our actions can lead to unintended consequences. (2:11–15)
No motive is given for Moses killing the Egyptian. Was he simply filled with anger over seeing a fellow Hebrew beaten, or is there something we are missing? Some Jewish interpretations support a reading in which Moses’ actions are understood as an initial attempt at liberation. The killing of the Egyptian is a first act meant to inspire the Hebrew slaves to follow him as their liberator.
The text offers some clues to support such a reading. First, verse 11 twice references the Hebrews as Moses’ people or kinsfolk, emphasizing their connection. Second, the response of the Hebrew slaves to Moses is a bit unusual. Given Moses’ status as a prince of Egypt, he would most certainly be a ruler and judge over them. The question then suggests that Moses is perceived as trying to be a ruler over them in a different sort of way, perhaps as a ruler and deliverer. Their response communicates a rejection by the people. Finally, the fact that Pharaoh is seeking to kill Moses for his execution of an Egyptian seems a bit extreme given Moses’ apparent position as a prince of Egypt. Could a prince of Egypt not get away with the killing of a low-status Egyptian? That Moses is perceived as being politically subversive through the murder would explain Pharaoh’s reaction well.
God can use unintended consequences to prepare us for the future. (16–22)
Moses flees to the wilderness of Midian (likely the northwestern part of modern-day Saudi Arabia). Here Moses marries the daughter of a Midian priest, has children and works as shepherd for 40 years. The overall narrative allows us to draw some conclusions from Moses’ time in the wilderness.
It can be seen as a time of divinely ordained preparation for Moses, who will eventually spend another 40 years shepherding the sheep of Israel through the wilderness. This preparation likely includes the humbling of this former prince of Egypt and a lesson in trusting God’s timing rather than one’s own, particularly if we take the Jewish interpretation mentioned above. Thus, before Israel learns their lessons in the wilderness, Moses must learn his own.
God can use unintended consequences to enhance others’ lives. (3:5–10)
Moses witnesses a bush on Mount Sinai (also Mount Horeb) that was burning yet not consumed by the fire. After responding to God’s calling from the bush, Moses is told to take off his sandals because the place he is standing is holy ground. God identifies himself as the God of Moses’ ancestors and tells him that He has seen the misery of His people and heard their cries. He tells Moses of His plan to deliver them from Egypt and give them a land flowing with milk and honey.
Our text concludes with God telling Moses that He is sending Moses to bring His people out of Egypt. If the reading offered above is correct, then this story takes on greater significance. God’s plan all along was to use Moses as a deliverer of His people. Thus, a young Moses had in one sense understood his calling correctly, but he sought to achieve that calling according to his own timing and by his own strength.
At that time, Moses was not ready to be the leader God would eventually call him to be. He needed humility and an utter dependence on God. Then and only then was Moses ready to do what God had planned for him to do.
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