Exodus 2

5 February, 2019, PSC Cafe Connecting Group

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+2

Note, some relevant commentary is here too:- https://sites.google.com/site/biblechaptercommentaries/book-of-exodus/exodus-1

Keywords / Key-phrases / Key-hashtags:- Waiting on God, God's timing, #GodInFullControl


Recall, Pharaoh had just ordered that all newborn male Hebrew must be killed (Exodus 1:22). Pharaoh must be taking in pride in the fact that how much he is in control. He may not know that actually God is in full control over him and all things. No one is allowed to die or be killed unless, God permits.

And, amid this intense suffering & persecution, which lasted a very long time, the Hebrew people may be thinking that maybe there is no God, or God has forgotten them or God is punishing them for their sins. (Actually, always, many have not believed in the existence of God because they wondered how can there be a good & just God, given that there is so much suffering, evil, and injustice in this world!). You may have also thought the same in situations, when things seem to have been very dry and falling apart, for a long time, and there seems no end in sight.

Since God and not Pharaoh is in full control and no one is allowed to die to be killed, unless God permits, God finds a way for Moses to stay alive (Exodus 2:1-10) and also to be educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and become powerful in speech and action (Acts 7:22).

From Exodus 2:11-14, I wonder if Moses, already had a sense that he will lead Israelites out of bondage into freedom (The question in Exodus 2:14 "Who made you ruler and judge over us?" seems prophetic - we will soon see from Exodus 12 on-wards). Remember Joseph had dreams pertaining to his future rulership (Genesis 37:5-9). Anyways, like with Joseph, Moses has to wait. Here in Exodus 2:11-14, he is trying to take things in his own hands. God's plan for Moses to lead Israelites out of bondage has to still wait for 40+ years. Like, always, people have to wait for God and His pre-determined timing in all their callings (aka God's timing). Moses here was trying to go ahead of God's plans & timing, like we all tend to do at times.

Here in Exodus 2:11-14, Moses is seen trying to take things in his own hands, as he murders an Egyptian, His forefather Levi too took matters in his own hands and murdered all male Shechemites (Genesis 34:25).


So far in the Bible (and also in the rest), we see three very important facts:-

  • God allows suffering, persecution and evil upon righteous
  • God is still in full control of all matters. No one is permitted to die or be killed, without God being allowing it
  • There is something very serious called "God's timing" and God often makes his people "wait". Abraham waited long, till he had Isaac. The great promises of God to him unfolded very slowly in his eyes/our eyes for perfectly in God's timings. Joseph waited more than 20 years for his dreams of glory to be fulfilled (Genesis 37:7, Genesis 42:6). Here Israelites as a nation were slaves for decades - and NOT because of their sins. For more on "waiting" in God's Kingdom, read http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2016/12/so-how-shall-we-wait.html


MISC

  • This generation of Israelites seem to be very unfortunate in being trapped in very hard slavery & persecution. The generation during Joseph's time of rulership may have had a very prosperous & free time. Is this unfair on this generation?
  • While other people of God were still in hard slavery, God put Moses in a palace for 40 years. Why? Is it because God loved Moses more than other people of God in slavery?
    • For comments on this, see commentary on Exodus 3.

Remember God's ways are not our ways. Read more on suffering http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/01/on-suffering.html