July 18 2023

One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and saw their forced labour. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

From Exodus 2:1-15, NRSV

In today’s reading we hear the first mention of Moses – the person chosen by God to lead the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. We hear about his miraculous delivery from death as a baby by the Pharaoh’s daughter, and of his upbringing as an adopted member of the Pharaoh’s family. Moses was all set for a future life of privilege – perhaps even to become a future Pharaoh. However, his life took a very different turn one day when he saw a Hebrew slave being beaten by an Egyptian. Moses was by now aware of the hard life that the Hebrews were enduring, and his concern for a fellow countryman won out over his loyalty to the Pharaoh. Moses killed the Egyptian and hid his body. Nevertheless, news of this event reached the Pharaoh and Moses was forced to flee for his life. He left behind the luxuries of palace life and settled in a desert community in Midian where he lived for many years. It was here that he was able to learn and develop his understanding of desert life and the attributes of self-discipline, obedience, trust and resilience that  would later be necessary in rescuing God’s people.

• • Do you think Moses was aware of the way in which God was directing his life?
  • What have been your “desert experiences” and did you gain anything from these times?

Reflect on the ups and downs of your own life and on how these have helped to shape the person you are today.

Image – Moses in Midian by Norman Kelly (Fine Art America)