“Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well” (Ex. 2:15).

The Holy Spirit through Luke records of Moses, “And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?” (Acts 7:23-28).  Both the Old and New Testaments declare that Moses took a lead in seeking to deliver Israel but the leadership of Moses was not to be for another forty years (cf. Acts 7:30).  He would spend time in the wilderness that would be valuable to his future.  Consider three aspects of his training that have practical applications.

1. Taking a Wife and Having Two Sons. Moses wrote of himself, “And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land” (Ex. 2:21-22).  Luke records that Moses had two sons at this time (cf. Acts 7:29) as does Moses himself in the book of Exodus (cf. Ex. 4:20).  Moses gained valuable experience in the ruling of his own home.  The first proving ground of a great leader is among those with whom he has the greatest influence.  If there is a problem within the house, what shall be the situation concerning the household of God (cf. 1 Tim. 3:5)?  Moses would be married for forty years with two sons before God would call him to be the great leader of Israel.
2. Tending to Sheep. “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb” (Ex. 3:1).  Moses would not be the soldier type leader of an Egyptian but the shepherd type leader of a Hebrew.  He would go before the flock of God and lead as a true shepherd.  The great king David was first a shepherd before he ultimately became king over Israel.  Handling the daily responsibilities of sheep would give preparation for the arduous work with God’s flock.
3. Time with the Lord. Moses finally gets a course in spiritual training at age 80 (cf. Acts 7:30; Ex. 3:2-4:17).  He would learn about himself before the Lord.  He would learn that the power of leadership was not in himself but in the Lord who was with him (cf. Ex. 3:11-12).  He would learn that the Lord’s instructions are to be passed on and that the Lord’s word could be fully trusted.  He would learn that his weaknesses are the tools of God’s strength.  He would learn that human inadequacies could be overcome through teaching and application (cf. Ex. 4:10-12).  He would learn that quitting on the Lord is not an option.  The imperfections of Moses can show all leaders, present and future, that God can use the humble man.

Jimmy Clark