A Day in the Life of Moses – Part 3

Acts 20:18-29 seem to give us a little greater insight into the life of Moses.  As I read these verses, I ask myself, “how in the world did they hide a newborn baby for three months?”  I’ve been to the Middle East and have seen some of the places these people lived and know it would be difficult to almost impossible to hide a child from anyone.  Think about it. The king was forcing folks to kill their own newborn sons.  Oh, how there had to be great sorrow and wailing happening over the deaths of these children.  How do you keep people from ratting on you? Can you see it now? “Hey, great pharoah, joe and sue Hebrew have a son born to them.  How is it they get to keep their child when the rest of us mourn for the loss of our own?  What’s up with that great pharoah!!”

The Bible tells us in Exodus that his pharoah dealt treachorously with them, forcing them to throw their newborn sons nto the Nile.  How cruel!! These verses imply most did just that, fearing for their very lives if they disobeyed, so why did these parents react any differently?  Weren’t they too afraid? I am sure they were, but their trust in God outweighed any fear of the pharoah.  What did this family see in this child that stood him out frm all others?  I am almost sure that every parent looks upon their child seeing something special yet, the Bible singles this child out among all others. Have you ever thought why?

Though the Bible doesnt tell us, I am sure there are many theories.  Regardless of what theory, this child was destined for greatness and protected by the Hands of God.  My theory is if Moses’ parents were Levites, they were most likely walking closely with their Creator.  There’s no way they walked with Him without Him confiding in His plan to use their child.  I think Moses’ parents knew Moses’ purpose in life.  Their faith in God kept this child alive.  I also believe God’s hand guided this mother in her plan to save her son’s life.  If God spoke to their forefathers, dont you think He would have found a way to communicate His desires and plans with this faithful couple?  He had promised to Abraham 400 years earlier to send a deliverer, there would be no chance that a demented Egyptian king would thwart His very plan.  Believe me, Moses was protected more than you realize through the faith and obedience of these parents.

After three months of hiding, the day arrives when steps had to be taken to ensure Moses’ protection.  Preparing his basket carefully, this mother carefully places the child in it and knowingly sets him afloat at the very time and place the Pharoah’s daughter is bathing.  Coincidence? I dont think so.  Just as a thief cases a joint for the very opportunity to steal, this mother probably did the same.  It wouldnt surprise me if she knew the very routine of this Egyptian princess and having dwelled among them for so long, knew their religious belief with regards to the Nile.  Can you imagine?

In her mind, she carefully executes her plan, “Operation Save Moses”.  After placing the child in the basket, she sets the basket afloat on the very waters of the Nile.  It was believed that the Nile was worshipped, so whatever it produced, had to come from their god.  Childless, the river brings themt he very thing the royal family lacked – an heir.  Taking custody of the child, the princess proceeds to provide for his needs.  In all her joy, this mother becomes what the princess believes is a means to fulfill her sons needs.  As I think about it, its ironic that htis young princess didnt immediately take the child and mother home to the palace, as opposed to allowing the mother to rear him as a Hebrew during the first few years of his life.  I even find myself wondering what the princess’s role was during that time.  Surrogate or not, do you think I would, as a mother, completely step out of the picture this early in the game, leaving matters as they were until the child is brought back?  Yet, the Bible doesnt say.  In fact, it implies that that’s exactly what happened.

Princess fades into the background while “Operation Nurturing” launches off.  What do you think happened?  I have heard it said, that the first few years are the most important as many of our core values are implanted.  God’s Hand was at work as this mother planted the very seed of faithfulness to God in this young child.  Yes, even at this age, important values can be instilled, but the day would rapidly arrive when life as Moses knew it would change forever.  Oh, I can only imagine that very moment.

What was running through that mother’s mind?  Better yet, what was taking place inside Moses’ mind?  Can you see it???  “Hey ma, whatcha doin?  Where ya goin? Hey, dont leave me, this isnt where I live!”  The changes taking place werent subtle ones, they were like moving to another planet.  Can you put yourself in Moses’ shoes?  Wrested from the only life and mother he’d ever known to be left in a place where nothing was familiar.  New language, new culture, new parents, new home.  NEW! NEW! NEW!  What a rush.  What an overwhelming experience.

The Bible doesnt say much about these years, but we know Moses transitioned well as he was groomed for the very throne of Pharoah.  He had the best of what life had to offer and became a man well respected and capable.  Then something happened.  Moses with all his education, decides to take matters into his own hands, to expedite God’s will for his life.  That’s right! “Operation Bad Timing” was underway.

In his own strength, Moses devises a plan to move God’s timetable forward at lightning speed.  How many of you know that disaster was right around the corner?  We can assume Moses had some idea of God’s will, though the Bible never clearly states it.  Think about it.  Moses is grown and decides one day to visit the Hebrew people.  Come on! He’s been around them a while, so why now? Sounds like Moses got tired of waiting on God to fulfill His promise and saw this as an opportunity of helping God’s plan along.  Do you see what I see?

The Bible tells us that one day Moses saw his brethren being mistreated.  Do you not believe he saw this many times before?  Moses had a plan, his plan.  Can you play this moment in time in your mind?  “Ok, no one’s looking.  Perfect time to show them I am their life saving deliverer. I’ll just save them from this bad Egyptian taskmaster and this will be the beginning of a new career” Oh how wrong Moses was.  Taking matters into his own hands, he murders the Egyptian an buries his dead carcass in the sand.  Who would be the wiser?

Next day comes, Moses returns to the scene of the crime and finds his brethren fighting.  Thinking they would understand his motives, he addresses them only to find they dont understand at all.  In fact, their attitudes view him as an enemy.  How could that be? Didnt they see he had risked it all to save them?  So what in the world was happening?  Confusion began to set in quick, fast and in a hurry!  Fearing for his very life, Moses flees for safety.  Can you play that scene in your mind?

The mighty deliverer became the cowardly fugitive overnight.  Reality was now beginning to sink in.  Confidence turned into fear and doubt.  Pride turned to humility as Moses finally realized he wasnt who he thought he was.  Mr. Somebody now learned he was Mr. Nobody.  What an unnerving feeling.  Fromt he pits to the palace and back to the pits.  We can only speculate what Moses was thinking, but believe me, had I just walked in his shoes, I dont think I would be doing so well either.

How many of you know that God’s plan cant be thwarted?  Moses’ screw up didnt prevent the plan from happening, it just affected the method of arriving there.  Had Moses only waited on God, the ease to which he would have been able to free his people would have turned out much different.  God had already told Abraham hundreds of years earlier what would happen, so do you believe Moses’ actions were a surprise to God?  God already knew the path Moses would take and had prepared the way already.  In so doing, Moses would enter into God’s Basic Training Program. Now the training would begin.

Tags: Bible, Deliverer, Moses, Egyptian, Abraham, Exodus, Hebrew, Pharoah, Acts, Middle East, Nile, Creator, Forefathers, Princess, Surrogate, Planet, Operation, Murder, Career, Sand, Humilty, Fear, Doubt, Basic Training