Moses First Forty Years: Certainties And Theories Series

Moses First Forty Years: Certainties and Theories

(Exodus 2:11-15, Acts 7:20-29, Hebrews 11:24-26)

1. Sometimes people try to explain the miracles in the Bible as mere natural occurrences:

"It may never rain cats and dogs, but fish, shells, and frogs have indeed fallen from the sky on rare occasions.

In 1984, live six-inch [15 centimeters] flounders (fish) fell on a London neighborhood. It is thought that a waterspout had lifted them to cloud level from the Thames River, then later dropped them several miles away. The fish were probably as surprised as the people who saw them fall.

More recently, the fishing port of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England experienced a shower of fish on August 6th, 2000.

Similar stories are told of remarkable "showers" from other locations near open water. In one memorable storm in England in 1844, people held out hats to catch dozens of falling frogs. Such small creatures, once airborne, might be carried aloft for an hour or more within the strong updrafts of a thunderstorm.

These stories remind us of the plague of frogs that occurred long ago in Egypt (Exodus 8). At that time, however, the frogs came onto the land from the rivers and ponds. This plague was much more extensive that a rare fall of frogs during a local storm."

(source: www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/ednks007.html)

2. What we are trying to do in this part of our series is to start with the Bible and see how history fits in with what God’s Word says.

3. And sometimes it gets amazing.

4. We are going to see how God prepares Moses for his unique ministry based upon the sure Word of God while also looking at possibilities from historical sources.

Main Idea: God prepares men and women to serve Him in ways we cannot comprehend – at the time.

I. What Exodus Teaches (Exodus 2:11-15)

A. Moses knew he was a HEBREW (11-12)

Moses did learn something about God from his father, for in Exodus 18:3-4, while he was dwelling in Midian with Jethro his father-in-law, he had two sons. We read, “One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, "I have become an alien in a foreign land"; and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, "My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh."

B. Moses was not AFRAID to kill (12)

C. Moses was vulnerable to a charge of TREASON (13-15)

Since Pharaoh’s had so much power, the killing of an Egyptian was especially meaningful only because Moses was a Hebrew who was defending a Hebrew…

D. Moses knew how to ESCAPE (15)

God prepares men and women to serve Him in ways we cannot comprehend – at the time.

II. What the New Testament Adds (Acts 7:20-29, Hebrews 11:24-26)

A. In Acts [have folks turn there and read]

1. Raised as the SON of Pharaoh’s daughter (21)

completely adopted with all royal privileges; could be an heir to the throne…

2. FULLY educated (22a)

3. Powerful in SPEECH (22b)

4. Powerful in ACTION (22c)

5. Decided to visit FELLOW Israelites (23)

6. He EXPECTED his people to rally round him and break free from Egypt (25)

B. In Hebrews (11:24-26)

"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."

1. Made an irreversible choice to identify with the Hebrews

2. Chose to follow God’s way over personal comfort

Main Idea: Moses had been trained to become Israel’s leader and one of the great men of history. But he was lacking in one quality: humility. The Moses who was powerful in speech and powerful in action was a different man when he first saw the burning bush. So sometimes God prepares us with information and training, and then breaks us so that we are all the more useful.

God prepares men and women to serve Him in ways we cannot comprehend – at the time.

III. What Historical Sources Might Add

A. Jewish sources (Josephus, about 90A.D.)

1. Egyptians were in trouble, Nubians/Ethiopian advancing

2. Egyptian prophets had visions to put Moses in charge of army

3. Moses used Ibis birds to eat up snakes so army could advance through the desert and surprise the Nubians – successful

4. His successes made the Pharaoh & Egyptian elite afraid of him and looking for an excuse to rid themselves of him…

B. Possible Egyptian HISTORY

1. Princess was Hattie (Hatshepsut) (Nefure)

(Hattie (Hatshepsut) bust) find on internet

2. Senmut, possibly Moses