Moses 40-40

Moses is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible, and his story is one of redemption and perseverance. However, before he became the leader of the Israelites and received the Ten Commandments from God, Moses spent 40 years in exile in the land of Midian. This period of his life was not just a time of waiting, but a time of preparation that would prove crucial for the challenges that lay ahead.

Moses' story begins in Egypt, where he was born into a Hebrew family during a time when the Pharaoh ordered the death of all Hebrew male babies. His mother placed him in a basket and set him adrift on the Nile, where he was discovered by the Pharaoh's daughter and raised as her own. Moses grew up in the royal court and received the best education and training available, but his life took a dramatic turn when he killed an Egyptian who was mistreating a Hebrew slave. Fearing for his life, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he would spend the next 40 years.

During his time in Midian, Moses worked as a shepherd for his father-in-law Jethro, and it was during this time that he encountered God in a burning bush. God called Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery, but Moses was initially hesitant, feeling ill-equipped for the task. However, the period of exile had not been wasted, and Moses had gained valuable experiences and skills that would prove crucial for his new role.

1. Firstly, Moses learned humility. In Egypt, he had been raised in the lap of luxury, but in Midian, he lived a simple life as a shepherd. This experience taught him to be content with less and to value the simple things in life. It also helped him to relate to the Israelites, who were also living in poverty and oppression.

2. Secondly, Moses learned leadership skills. As a shepherd, he was responsible for leading and protecting his flock, and this experience helped him develop the qualities of a good leader. He learned to be patient, to listen, and to make wise decisions.

3. Thirdly, Moses learned about the wilderness. The land of Midian was a harsh and unforgiving desert, and Moses had to learn how to survive in this environment. This knowledge would be vital when the Israelites left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. It shouldn’t be lost on us that trained for 40 years in order to prepare the Israelites for the 40 years in the wilderness (keep in mind, he never made it).

4. Finally, Moses had a personal encounter with God. In the burning bush, God revealed Himself to Moses and gave him a clear sense of purpose and direction. This encounter gave Moses the courage and confidence he needed to take on the task of leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

In conclusion, the 40 years of exile in Midian were not wasted years for Moses. They were a time of preparation that would prove crucial for the challenges that lay ahead. Moses learned humility, leadership skills, wilderness survival, and had a personal encounter with God. These experiences made him better equipped to take on the task that God had for him in Egypt.

The story of Moses is a reminder that sometimes God takes us through challenging times to prepare us for the tasks that He has for us.

We may not understand why we are going through difficult times, but we can TRUST that God is using them to PREPARE us for something GREATER.

Best wishes,

L.B.