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“Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law,
the priest of Midian;…”
Exodus 3:1
Moses fled to the land of Midian. We can look back to Genesis 25:2 and we can see that Keturah, Abraham’s wife after the death of Sarah, bore Abraham a son named Midian. The people of the land of Midian were distant relatives of Moses. Quite possibly, at this time, this people also followed the God of their father Abraham. However, I do not believe they were of the circumcision and you will see why as we get further into Exodus.
Moses fled to the wilderness more from the hurt and frustration coming from his brethren than from the fear of death by Pharoah. In Acts 7:26-28 we read of Moses attempt to bring peace between the brethren who were fighting. At his intervention the response was “YOU DO NOT PLAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?” In Acts 7:29 we read that “At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.” I believe Moses was ready to face the wrath of Pharoah, but when his brethren turned against him, he fled.
We can fight a battle as long as we know we have someone in our corner, someone to get our back. We can fight a battle when we know we are fighting to rescue someone who wants to be rescued, but when we feel alone and when we are mocked by those we are trying to save, it can destroy our strength to fight. What Moses had yet to realize, what we, a lot of the time, have yet to realize, is that God is in our corner. His Holy Spirit has our back.
When Jesus spoke with His disciples after the Passover meal He said to them, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” (John 15:19) What I love is the fact that before Jesus shared this sobering truth with His disciples, He first shared with them about the Helper who was with them and would be in them forever (John 14:16-17). Then after He shared this sobering truth, He again reminded them of the Helper (John 15:26).
God has never once in His Word said that following Him was easy. He tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, but even in that it shows the existence of the yoke and the burden. Oh precious one, have you heard it said that God does not call the equipped, He equips the called? Know that this is true.
Moses fled because he was trying to save his brethren according to his own strength. He was attempting to do things according to his own way. However, God’s ways are not our ways. According to Acts 7:30 Moses dwelled in the land of Midian for at least forty years.
Was this wasted time?
Absolutely not.
This was more training time. This was more equipping time. Forty years in the palace and forty years in the wilderness was no coincidence. It was the sovereign plan of God, working according to His will and His way at all times.
So my friend, whether you are in the palace or the wilderness, stay in obedience. Seek Him and trust Him. If you are in the wilderness having fled because you were rejected by those you came to help, remember you are not alone. Seek the will of God, the help of the Holy Spirit, make sure you are where you need to be, then precious one, press on, and return and fight when God says it is time.
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me;
may it not be counted against them.
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me,
so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished,
and that all the Gentiles might hear;
and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed,
and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom,
to Him be the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
2 Timothy 4:16-18
Oh Father,
I know that I am weak. I also know that Your strength is perfected in my weakness. I know that You have said that the world will hate me. I also know that You came to save this same world. So in this knowledge, I ask that You help me in my weakness and that You surround me in Your love. I pray that You give me sustaining strength as I commit to share You with those who hate me simply because I am Yours. I know that they hate only because they do not understand. Oh Father, may I persevere, strengthened by Your glorious might, so that what You have purposed shall be accomplished in and through me. If I flee, stop me. If I fear, comfort me. If I fall, lift me. If I am deserted, remind me that You are with me. To You my God, be the victory.
My Jesus, it is in Your name that I pray,
Amen