Though in exile, the heart of Moses was still with his people. When Zipporah bore him a son, “he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.” He never forgot he was away from his people and a stranger in Midian. Without doubt he must have cherished the companionship of Zipporah, his wife, and how their joy must have increased at the birth of their first little son, whose name means “Stranger.”
This is our position now as Christians. We are strangers in this world, and our home is in heaven. May we seek grace to act as such from day to day.
We are told but little of those forty years Moses spent in the back side of the desert. We know that he “kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law” (Ex. 3:11Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. (Exodus 3:1)); and when his second son was born he called him Eliezer, meaning “My God is a help,” reflecting a note of trust and courage. “For the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.” (See chs. 18:3,4). Moses had a sense that God was over his circumstances. Here in the desert he had ample time to meditate upon God and His ways, and in a school quite different from that in which he had learned the skills of Egypt. Here he was to be more like the One whom he was to portray. Here he learned meekness and lowliness of mind, humility, submission, and attentiveness to the voice of God. Here was God’s place to fit him for the great work before him, which all the learning of Egypt could never do.
The years went by; in Egypt and Goshen, the bondage of the children of Israel went on unabated. The was no visible relief from their oppression. “And it came to pass process of time, that the king Egypt died; and the children Israel sighed by reason of the bondage.”
Israel it seems had forgotten the God of their fathers, for it does not appear that their cries and groanings were addressed to Him. And this too is the way of many a soul who knows the bondage of sin and cries, “O wretched man that I and who shall deliver me?” Helpless it the grasp of Satan, the sinner often hopes in a vague way for some relief or improvement in his wretchedness, or seeks some means of escape. Yet all the while the Saviour in love and compassion sends out the invitation: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15) “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).
God had not forgotten His people: He had His eye upon them, and His ear was open to their cry. He did, however, allow them to feel the bitterness of serving Pharaoh, for they had forgotten Him. How often God has to bring sorrow into people’s lives in order to make them turn to Him, and then when they do call upon His name, He hears and answers in blessing. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful work: to the children of men!” Psalms 107.8
ML 06/30/1968