Day 1 with Moses: Impulsive actions rarely end well.

“Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why are you striking your companion?” Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!” When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭2:11-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Today we begin a new wonderful adventure with a person who is probably one of the best known of our biblical cast of characters. Indeed, Moses was one of the two people appearing with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration.

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:2-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Moses is best known as being the leader over the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt; during which time, he received The Law from God.

We will assume a basic knowledge of Moses’ life but will highlight some points of instruction over the next 40 days together.

Let us first consider that the number 40 in the Bible is generally seen in connection with a time of testing or trials, ending with a victory of some sort. Interestingly, the children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years and Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai.

Over these next 40 days we will discover some truths Moses discovered while on his journey. In so doing, we will be better prepared for our own seasons of trials and testing.

You are probably aware of Moses being put in the basket and being taken in to be raised by the daughter of Pharaoh. Let us take note that Moses was born to a mother and father who were both members of the tribe of Levi. As we will see, Levi was the only tribe that did not participate in the worshiping of the golden calf during the exodus journey. Therefore, they were selected by God to serve as priests. As you have discovered—or will discover—in looking at Moses’ leadership over the people those 40 years, Moses indeed served as a priest, or mediator, between the people and God.

So, Moses was rescued from certain destruction, raised by the daughter of Pharaoh, then became the leader of the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land. But wait, it didn’t all happen so easily.

In our opening scripture for today we see that Moses was moved in his emotion to do something to help his brethren. The problem was that he acted without seeking the Lord. I can only assume that he thought his brethren would appreciate what he did for them; they didn’t. As we see, in addition to not appreciating what he did, they actually told on him. (The only way Pharaoh could’ve heard of this matter is that one of the brethren exposed Moses.)

You can have all the good intentions in the world, but unless your zeal is informed and directed by the leading of God, you can end up doing more harm than good and experience unforeseen consequences. God knows the end from the beginning; He knows what will fall when you pull that particular “piece”

of the “Jenga puzzle” of life.

It’s wonderful to have zeal accompanied by God‘s direction. However, zeal without God‘s direction, can end up with you running for your life.

For today let us discover what Moses discovered:

Impulsive actions rarely end well.

#40dayswithMoses