The Rejection of Moses

INTRODUCTION:  This lesson deals with the importance of doing all things within God’s perfect timing and the troubles brought on by getting out of His timing.  It also shows how strife (personified by Midian) works against us, and how God can use it for our benefit.

1. MOSES DEPARTS FROM EGYPT (Exodus 2:11-15)
1. His Choice (Exodus 2:11)
1. He knew of his heritage and people (Exodus 2:11); he had probably learned from his mother (Exodus 2:8-9).
2. When grown, he made the choice to turn his back on his opportunities in the Egyptian court and to identify with his own people (Hebrews 11:24-25); he went out unto his brethren.
3. He knew (by revelation?) that he was called to deliver the children of Israel and thought they would understand (Acts 7:23-25).
2. His Error (Exodus 2:11-12)
1. He saw injustice (Exodus 2:11).
1. He looked on his brethrens burdens.
2. He spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew.
2. He took matters into his own hands (Exodus 2:12).
1. Moses looked all around to make sure nobody was watching.
2. Moses slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
3. In like manner we often try to take matters in our own hands.  The admonition we receive from the Lord is to, "Be still, and know that I am God!"
4. Moses had not learned that lesson when he saw the Egyptian smiting one of his brethren.  He rolled up his sleeves and said in so many words, "If ever there was a time when I was on call, it is now!"  and he blundered in like a bull in a china shop, smote the Egyptian, and tried unsuccessfully to bury him.  With the best intentions in the world, he became a murderer instead of a missionary!.....When Moses tried to tackle the job, he could not even bury one Egyptian successfully.  Maybe he left his toes sticking out of the sand!  When God tackled the job, He buried the whole lot of them in the Red Sea!  That is how competent God is to deal with His own business."from The Saving Life of Christ by Major W. Ian Thomas
3. He was the right man; he had the right idea (delivering Israel); but he applied the wrong methods at the wrong time.
4. Both Moses and David (Uriah) were guilty of murder because they took matters into their own hands.
3. His Discovery (Exodus 2:13-14)
1. He continues his feeble attempt at deliverance (Exodus 2:13).
2. His ability to judge is questioned (Exodus 2:14).
3. His sin has been found out (Numbers 32:23); our sins will always be found out; we can never hide them from God.
1. Moses had done his best to make sure that nobody saw him smite the Egyptian.
2. Either the Hebrew who was smitten survived and told about it, or Moses missed somebody who was watching when he looked around.
4. His Departure (Exodus 2:15)
1. Pharaoh received news about Moses smiting an Egyptian.
2. Pharaoh seeks to slay Moses.
3. Moses runs for his life.
4. Moses sits down by a well in Midian.
2. MOSES DWELLS IN MIDIAN (Exodus 2:16-22)
1. His Opportunity (Exodus 2:16-17)
1. Moses sees a need (Exodus 2:16-17).
1. The daughters of the priest of Midian came to draw water and filled their troughs to water their fathers flock (Exodus 2:16).
2. The shepherds came and drove them away (Exodus 2:17).
2. Moses boldly provides help (Exodus 2:17).
1. He defended the daughters.
2. He watered their flocks.
2. His Recognition (Exodus 2:18-20)
1. The father asks of their blessing (Exodus 2:18).
2. The daughters tell of their helper (Exodus 2:19).
1. His identity an Egyptian
2. His deliverance out of the hand of the shepherds
3. His aid he drew water for us and watered the flock.
3. The father sends for Moses (Exodus 2:20).
1. The father asks the daughters of their helpers whereabouts.
2. The father asks why they left the man.
3. The father commands the daughters to call the man to a meal.
3. The Father
1. The priest of Midian
2. Reuel, meaning Gods friend
3. Also called by other names
1. Jethro (Exodus 3:1), meaning excellence
2. Hobab (Judges 4:11), meaning beloved
4. Called the Kenite (Judges 1:16); the Kenites are mentioned as living among the Israelites in several passages and are the source of the holy Rechabites (1 Chronicles 2:55).
4. His Stay (Exodus 2:21-22)
1. Content to dwell with the man (Exodus 2:21)
2. Married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (Exodus 2:21)
3. Has a son: Gershom meaning a stranger here (Exodus 2:22)
3. ISRAEL CRIES FOR DELIVERANCE (Exodus 2:23-25)
1. In the Passage of Time (Exodus 2:23)
1. The king of Egypt died.
1. The Pharaoh who knew Joseph died prior to Exodus 1:8.
2. The next Pharaoh died in Exodus 2:23.
3. The new Pharaoh seems to be familiar with Moses when he returns to deliver Israel (Exodus 5:4).
2. The children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage.
3. Their cry came up unto God.
2. On the Ears of the Lord (Exodus 2:24-25)
1. God heard their groaning (Exodus 2:24).
2. God remembered His covenant (Exodus 2:24).
1. With Abraham
2. With Isaac
3. With Jacob
3. God looked upon the children of Israel (Exodus 2:25).
4. God had respect unto them (Exodus 2:25).

CONCLUSION:  Are you trusting God to work things out in His timing (Romans 8:28) or are you trying to make things work out according to your understanding of how they should be?  Are you allowing God to strengthen you through strife and conflict or are you letting strife destroy you?