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Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 12

"Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established." Proverbs 15:22

Text: Exodus 2 : 13-15

FIGHTING THE SYSTEM ALL ALONE

After the murder of the Egyptian, Moses went out into the streets again to see if he could right more wrongs. He must have felt all alone as he singled-handedly sought to take on Egypt and its cruel treatment of the Hebrews. He had no one to counsel him. And before too long, his best laid plans went awry!

ANOTHER OCCASION TO HELP FELLOW-HEBREWS

Moses stumbled onto a scene where two Hebrew men were quarreling and fighting with each other. He thought he could help them sort out their differences.

“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?'”
EXODUS 2:13

Moses must have reasoned out within himself that he would be able to help his brethren. After all, he cared for them. He was in a position to help. His knowledge and his influence might be able to help afflicted ones.

PAINFUL REJECTION

Moses was stunned by the retort of the people he sought to help.

“Then he said, ‘Who made you a prince and a judge over us?
Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?'”
EXODUS 2:14a

His crime of murdering the Egyptian was known to others! Worse, his own people queried his role in their community! They recognized Moses as a prince of Egypt, but was he also a prince among the Hebrews? Who appointed him as judge of the Hebrews? These were painful words of rejection indeed!

FLEEING FROM EGYPT

As these harsh words sank in, Moses knew that his crime was not a secret at all! He knew the consequences! Even if he were the son of the Pharaoh, he would be tried in court! He could be sentenced to a long stretch in prison. On the other hand, he could have been sentenced to death! There seemed only one thing to do.

“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.”
EXODUS 2:14b-15

Moses had failed to deliver Israel. Worse, he was now a fugitive of the law!