Three Phases of Moses’ Life
First Phase of Moses’ life
As I continue to examine the life and character of Moses, I shall place a general timeline on Moses’ life. Moses’ life could have three sections: first section, birth to forty; second section, forty to eight years and the final section eighty to 120 years. During the first phase of Moses’ life
During the first phase of Moses’ life, he received an Egyptian education. He was very knowledgeable in Egyptian laws, customs and the people respected him. Although Moses was not Pharaoh’s natural heir he was adopted and may likely become the next Pharaoh. The first phase of Moses’ life ends at age forty, Acts 7:22-23.
However, this period of Moses’ life was not without personal struggles. During the first phase of Moses’ life, he was searching for his identity. Does this sound familiar? We all pass through the first phase in our lives when we are searching for whom we really are; Moses was no exception in this regard.
The Second Phase of Moses’ Life
The second phase of Moses’ life started when he escaped Egypt because knowledge that he had killed an Egyptian came to Pharaoh. At this stage Moses was grown, he was a mature man, Exodus 2:11. He was forty. Moses escaped from Egypt and lived in the country of Midian, Exodus 2:15 and Acts 7:22-29. His career choice in this foreign country will shape his future roles.
Quite a few Biblical Characters who were famous leaders worked as shepherds. Names like Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and David were shepherds before they became leaders.
In Midian, Moses assisted a group of female shepherds with their flocks and he eventually became a shepherd himself, Exodus 2:17 and 3:1.
Being a shepherd is an ideal way to train someone to lead a nation. Moses worked as a shepherd for his father in law learning the similarities between people and sheep. Sheep are renowned as the most fickle animals because this minute they follow the shepherd’s instructions the next they don’t.
Of course this behavior is a popular way of life for human beings they are obedient this minute but disobedient the next. Therefore, in my opinion, being a shepherd taught and prepared Moses to lead Israel.
It was during the second phase of Moses’ life that he had an encounter with the Lord God. The Lord God utilized a peculiar method to get Moses’ attention and then to instruct him. Moses saw a fire burning a tree but the flames did not consume it, Exodus 3:2. Now, Moses was eighty years old and this incident marks the end of the second phase and the start of the final phase of Moses’ life, Acts 7:30. What did the Lord use to get your attention to speak to you?
Moses’ Life Purpose and Life’s Mission
For many Bible Characters we can identify different phases of their lives as we did for Moses. Fathers of Israel such as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and even David have clearly differentiable periods in their lives. None of these persons had a conclusive notion of his life’s purpose during the first phase of his life.
However, as each of these persons had an experience with God and obeyed Him his life’s purpose was realized. We may know what God calls us to do but not how we are going to achieve that purpose. However, as we grow in our relationship with the Lord He will reveal to us how we should achieve our life’s goals.
Moses knew, during the second phase of his life, his purpose for God told him. However, it would take Moses all of the third phase of his life to accomplish that goal. The same is true for Jacob, Joseph and David. For many of us this is also true, we struggle to discovery our selves and calling then spends the last lap of our lives attempting to fulfill its purpose.
Moses was eighty years old and at the start of the final phase of his life when he went to deliver the Children of Israel from Pharaoh, Exodus 7:7.
QUESTION:- Which phase of your life are you in now? Do you know, like Moses, your life’s purpose?
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