One day, when Moses had grown into adulthood, he went out to see his people, the Hebrews, laboring under the heavy burdens imposed by the Egyptians. As he watched, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews mercilessly. Moved by what he witnessed, he looked around carefully to ensure no one was watching. Seeing the coast was clear, he took decisive action, striking down the Egyptian and burying his body in the sand to conceal what he had done.
Taking Matters into Own Hands
Moses’ actions in killing the Egyptian reveal a complex mix of motives and influences that emboldened him to take such drastic measures against a fellow Egyptian. Though he was raised in the shelter of the Egyptian palace and had a life of privilege and freedom, Moses had grown aware of his Hebrew heritage. This likely stirred a sense of loyalty and nationalism within him, drawing him toward compassion for his people, whose suffering he was beginning to grasp firsthand. Perhaps Moses’ mother, who had nursed him during his early years, told him of his heritage later in life, a revelation that could have intensified his bond with his fellow Hebrews.
Palace life, while providing him with advantages, may have also given Moses a false sense of power and control, making him feel capable of intervening in ways that were ultimately dangerous. Observing the brutal labor and mistreatment his people endured filled him with rage, and in a moment where anger overpowered him, he sought to solve the injustice in his own way, killing the Egyptian and burying him in the sand.
However, this impulsive action highlights the tendency we often have: to try and solve the troubles of others through our own means rather than seeking guidance from God. Moses’ rash decision reminds us that true understanding and action come not from impulsive responses but from seeking divine direction in how best to confront and alleviate suffering.
On the Run
The following day, Moses returned to observe his people’s lives and found two Hebrews embroiled in a heated argument. Stepping in, he confronted the one at fault, asking, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?” Instead of calming down, the man retorted sharply, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Though spoken in defiance, these words would one day ring true. Though Moses wasn’t their ruler or judge at that moment, God would later call him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt and serve as their guide, delivering laws and judgments to shape their future.
The man’s sarcastic question, unknowingly, hinted at the very role Moses would fulfill—just not in the way anyone imagined at the time. His words however struck Moses deeply, and fear swept over him as he realized that his previous day’s actions were no longer secret. The truth of what he had done had spread, leaving Moses anxious and uncertain about what would happen next. He decides to flee egypt and head eastwards
When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. – Exodus 2:15 (NIV)
After fleeing Egypt, Moses found himself in the land of Midian, where his journey took an unexpected turn. One day, he arrived at a well where the seven daughters of a priest named Reuel had come to draw water for their father’s flock. Just as they were filling the troughs, a group of shepherds arrived and began to drive the young women away. Moved by their plight, Moses stepped in and defended the daughters, driving the shepherds off and even going a step further—drawing water himself to ensure their flock was fully cared for.
When the daughters returned home earlier than usual, their father, Reuel, was surprised and asked what had happened. They recounted how an Egyptian stranger had come to their aid, rescuing them from the shepherds and watering their animals. By his clothing and accent, Moses appeared every bit an Egyptian to them. Curious and grateful, Reuel asked his daughters to invite th etsanger to their home for dinner
A New Life
Moses accepted the invitation, and a friendship grew between him and Reuel’s family. In time, Reuel offered his daughter, Zipporah, to Moses in marriage. Together, Moses and Zipporah began a new life, and soon they welcomed a son. Moses named him Gershom, meaning “foreigner,” a reminder that he was now a stranger in a foreign land, far from the life he once knew in Egypt.
During Moses’ years in Midian the old Pharaoh died, yet the suffering of the Israelites only intensified under the oppressive weight of slavery. Their misery grew unbearable, and they cried out in desperation. Though they had largely forgotten God in times of ease, now, in their suffering, they wondered if God had forgotten them or had failed to fulfill His promises. But God heard their groans, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked upon His people with compassion, deeply concerned for them and preparing to act on their behalf.
This moment speaks to a common human struggle—believing that God has forgotten us in times of hardship. Often, like the Israelites, we may have no real relationship with God, failing to understand His nature and promises. And yet, we still question him when we go through challenging periods in our lives. Whether we acknowledge it or not, God is always looking out for us and faithful to His promises, ready to respond in His perfect timing.
As Moses lived in the desert of Midian, he began to shed his Egyptian ways, gradually leaving behind the life and identity he had once embraced. Over time, God used this wilderness period to reshape and prepare him, stripping away his past so that he could be molded for the calling ahead, ready to return to Egypt as a deliverer for his people. Through Moses’ time in Midian, God was slowly preparing him to be the leader who would answer Israel’s cries for deliverance.
Discussion Questions
- What motivated Moses to act impulsively and kill the Egyptian?
- How can we learn to seek divine guidance instead of relying solely on our efforts?
- How do Moses’ struggles reflect our own tendency to act on impulse rather than seeking divine guidance?
- What led the Israelites to cry out to God during their suffering in Egypt, and how did God respond?
- How can we hold onto God’s promises when we feel forgotten or abandoned?
The Jordan Valley 
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