Moses At A Fork In The Road Of Life Series

When you were a kid did you ever dream that you were a part of the royal family? Maybe a day dream that one day a king or queen would drive up to your house and offer to adopt you? A fantasy that you could leave all the cares and concerns of being common folk behind you and just have to worry about what crown to wear and whether you should hunt fox or partridge on any given day.

That day dream was a reality for a man name Moses. Maybe you know the story. We all know the story of Joseph and his coat of many colours. The story begins in Genesis where we discover how Joseph was sold into slavery and ended up as governor of Egypt, how he brought his family to him and how they enjoyed the benefits of being kinfolk of the boss. But in the four hundred years that had elapsed the Egyptians had become fearful of this ever enlarging group. Listen to the introduction Exodus 1:1-10 These are the sons of Jacob who went with their father to Egypt, each with his family: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. Joseph was already down in Egypt. In all, Jacob had seventy direct descendants. In time, Joseph and each of his brothers died, ending that generation. But their descendants had many children and grandchildren. In fact, they multiplied so quickly that they soon filled the land. Then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done. He told his people, “These Israelites are becoming a threat to us because there are so many of them. We must find a way to put an end to this. If we don’t and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country.”

And so began the first of many persecutions for the Jews. And in an attempt to destroy the people of God, the pharaoh issued orders to kill all the male children belonging to the Jews. Of course you all know how when Moses was three months old his mother placed him in a pitched basket and placed him in the bulrushes. And we all know how the Pharaoh’s daughter found him, and how his mother became his nurse maid, I mean I don’t have to tell you any of that do I?

So I won’t. But I will tell you that this young Jewish boy was raised as the grandson of the pharaoh and as such enjoyed all of the privileges, and perks of being one of the most powerful men in Egypt.

He had all of the wealth, resources and benefits that the palace of pharaoh could offer. And hey, any way you slice it, it sure beats working for a living.

But as the man said, all good things must come to an end. And Moses came to a place where he had to make a choice. There came a time that Moses had to decide, am I an Egyptian, or am I a Jew. And it was a decision that no one could make for Moses except Moses. Moses had the ability, the opportunity and chance to decide who he would serve, and what nationality he would claim.

The story is found in the book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible. Just a little background; tradition tells us that Moses was the Author, and that it was written around 1440 B.C. as Moses nearing death reflects back on his life. The book of Exodus covers a time frame from approximately 1526 B.C. to 1406 B.C. and it was written to remind the Israelites how God had rescued them.

And so it is in the book of Exodus that we see Moses at the forks in the road of life.

In the New Testament we are told in Hebrews 11:24-28 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

Every person here at one time or another will have to make a decision over which direction they will take. Will it be the high road or will it be the low road, will it be the left path or the right path. Moses had come to a place in his life that he had to make a choice, and the author of Hebrews tells us 11:24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.