Overview:
Exodus 2:11–15; Acts 7:21–29
In an unlikely turn of events, a son of Hebrews became a prince of Egypt in the palace of Pharaoh. Rather than living a life of servitude, he walked into a world of opulence, education, and power.
From Exodus 3 and Acts 7, Pastor Chuck Swindoll examines Moses’ formative years. As an adult, Moses’ life took a sharp turn when he defended a Hebrew slave by taking a taskmaster’s life.
Discover how Moses’ self-directed action forged ahead of God’s plan. Rest in the principle that God offers renewal and a fulfilling alternative to a self-driven life.
Message Summary:
Message Key Facts:
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The Transition: After 40 years of royal education and Egyptian privilege, Moses reached a point of personal conviction regarding his true identity (Hebrews 11:24–26).
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The Incident: Witnessing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, Moses took matters into his own hands, killed the Egyptian, and hid the body in the sand.
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The Confrontation: Moses expected to be hailed as a deliverer, but his own people questioned his authority: "Who made you a prince or a judge over us?" (Exodus 2:14).
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The Consequence: Fearful of Pharaoh's wrath and rejected by his brothers, Moses fled the palace for the Midian desert—exchanging a throne for a shepherd’s staff.
Message References:
Primary Scripture References
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Exodus 2:11–15: The historical account of Moses’ impulsive act of murder and his subsequent flight from Egypt.
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Acts 7:21–29: Stephen’s inspired commentary in the New Testament, revealing that Moses "supposed that his brethren would understand that God was granting them deliverance through him," but they did not.
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Hebrews 11:24–26: The spiritual motivation behind Moses' choice to refuse the title "son of Pharaoh's daughter."
Key Principles: Waiting on God's Timing
Pastor Chuck Swindoll outlines essential lessons for those tempted to "help God out" with their own strength:
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Zeal is not a substitute for Wisdom: Having a godly desire (the "what") does not give us license to ignore God's methods or timing (the "how").
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The Self-Life leads to a Sandy Grave: When we act in the flesh, we often end up trying to "hide the body." Human effort produces results that must be concealed; divine effort produces results that can be celebrated.
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God offers renewal after failure: Moses’ failure in Egypt did not disqualify him forever; it moved him into a 40-year season of preparation that would eventually make him the leader God required.
