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Updated:- Tuesday, November 21st, 2023

Moses – the First Phase

Moses’ first forty years were plagued with reaction, realization, and murder.

Deacon Stephen continues to retell the Jewish history and now he is at Moses. Let’s continue with our Book of Acts, Bible Study. Today’s reference comes chiefly from Acts 7:19-29.

“The same dealt [subtly] with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.”

Acts 7:19

It’s extremely difficult to abandon any of our children. However, given the priority the Jews place on male children, to “cast out their” newborn sons was no easy task (Acts 7:19).

“In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months.”

Acts 7:20

Moses was not just a great kid but he was “exceeding fair”. He was a beautiful baby. Handsome! (Acts 7:20).

Could You Throw Your New Born Baby Into a River?

I can’t even begin to imagine how severely difficult it was for the Jews to throw their newborn sons into the River Nile. Nevertheless, having a pretty baby makes it no easier.

“And when [Moses] was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.”

Acts 7:21

Who Named Moses?

Moses was the son of Pharaoh’s daughter to the extent that she named him. She gave him the name Moses.

^“And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.”

Exodus 2:10

Even the Lord accepted this name Pharaoh’s daughter gave him for He called him by that name.

In fact, we know him by no other name but Moses.

But the grace of God was on him.

The Bible does not record his natural mom giving him any name. And this name stayed with him (Exodus 2:10).

“Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.”

Acts 7:22

Many Bible Teachers may provide a split explanation for the scripture verse immediately above.

They may tell you that Moses had a speech impediment. They say, he stuttered! Could their reason for saying this come from a scripture verse in the Old Testament (OT)?

Was Moses Eloquent?

“And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”

Exodus 4:10

However, because of the humbleness of Moses’ heart, he said those words. He didn’t see himself as an eloquent speaker. How many of us see ourselves in that light?

Nevertheless, in order to reconcile both Scriptures, we could accept that he saw himself as inadequate for the task that the Lord had before him.

How else can we see it? If Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds”, he was eloquent (Acts 7:22).

Additionally, there is no contradiction in the Bible.

However, recall that he was not alone. The Lord was with him and taught him everything (Exodus 4:15)

“And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.”

Acts 7:23

Three Phases of the Life of Moses

Let’s divide the life of Moses into three phases: the first forty years; the second phase; and the final forty years.

The first phase is the awareness stage. He became aware of his life’s purpose. During this stage, “it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel” at age forty (Acts 7:23).

So, Moses, at forty, became aware of his purpose as deliver and as “ruler and judge over” the nation of Israel (Acts 7:27).

“And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:”

Acts 7:24

What Did He Do In His First 40 Years?

However, what Moses did in each phase of his life is crucial to his success. He allowed his emotions to over-run him and as a result, he committed murder.

This had a far-reaching impact on his ministry, for, it postponed his Assignment by forty years.

“For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.”

Acts 7:25

Who Made You a Ruler and a Judge Over Us?

In pursuit of your Assignment, if you mess up and fall the Lord will never abandon you. Repent and turn to Him and He will forgive.

But ensure that you never abandon God for He will never despise you. Stay focused. Be repentant.

“And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?”

Acts 7:26

While the Lord will forgive your shortcomings many of the people you serve experience great difficulties in doing so. Make informed and wise decisions.

Why Didn’t They See Moses as Their Leader?

“But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?”

Acts 7:27

Even when the hand of the Lord is on you, many of your peers and brethren will deny it or become blind to it. They think everyone has an identical relationship with the Lord.

“Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?”

Acts 7:28

“Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.”

Acts 7:29

Conclusion

The life of Moses could be divided into three phases. During Moses’ first 40 years he was born, realized his life’s purpose, killed an Egyptian then fled to Midian.

Finally, this completes the first phase of Moses’ life.