In determining to take that place of rejection with his people, Israel, Moses is a lovely picture of the Lord Jesus in His grace identifying Himself with His own. He “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant,” Philippians 2:77But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (Philippians 2:7); “He was their Saviour. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them.” Isaiah 63:8;98For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. (Isaiah 63:8)
8The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. (Isaiah 9:8).
Moses was not yet in the full sense of God’s calling and had much to learn. Still it seemed he had a certain anticipation of the great work that God later summoned him to accomplish, though no doubt as yet vague and dark in his soul. As he progressed he became a type of the Lord who was not ashamed to call His people brethren. (Heb. 2:1111For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (Hebrews 2:11).)
“And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens.” At forty, having now reached the years of discretion, his mind made up, Moses ventured forth to visit his brethren He saw them under the whip of their taskmasters, he witnessed their enormous burdens, and heard their cries. “And he spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew.” This kindled all his affections on behalf of his brethren; his anger was deeply stirred at the injustice. His heart responded in deepest sympathy for them in their sorrows and he felt strongly that God would use him as their redeemer. But it was not God’s time yet, and Moses was unsuccessful in communicating this to them. “He supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them; but they understood not.” Acts 7:2525For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. (Acts 7:25).
Here again we are reminded of the true Redeemer of Israel who “came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:1111He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11).
Moses, earnest and zealous though he was, had not yet learned to wait on God. “And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” This indignation on behalf of his fellow countryman was righteous enough, but he failed in taking matters into his own hand and not waiting for God to right the wrong. Had he first sought counsel of the Lord, he would not have been “looking this way and that”; this was the fear of man,” and by no means an evidence of singleness of eye. In a later day, when acting on the Lord’s own commands, He is not seen “looking this way and that,” but boldly carrying out the Lord’s instructions, not fearing what man might do to him.
The Spirit of God does not blame the love of Moses which prompted him to act as he did in defense of his fellow countryman, nor does He vindicate the act. There was only one perfect Servant, the Lord Jesus Himself. He never acted apart from His Father’s will. He could say, “I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:2929And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29); again “as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do.” John 14:3131But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. (John 14:31).
If we feel the Lord has graciously called us to some service or given us some work to do for Him, let not faithfulness to Him be marred by some hasty action which will later bring regrets; but let us first look up in prayer to Him, seek His guidance, and wait His time. Then we can go forth in His strength, and not be looking “this way and that” to see if whether or not we have man’s approval.
ML 06/02/1968