Exodus 2:11-15 - 11 Years later, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 Looking all around and seeing no one, he struck the Egyptian dead and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your neighbor?” 14 “Who made you a leader and judge over us?” the man replied. “Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses became afraid and thought: What I did is certainly known. 15 When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well.
Exodus 2:16-22 - 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 Then some shepherds arrived and drove them away, but Moses came to their rescue and watered their flock. 18 When they returned to their father Reuel he asked, “Why have you come back so quickly today?” 19 They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20 “So where is he?” he asked his daughters. “Why then did you leave the man behind? Invite him to eat dinner.” 21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. 22 She gave birth to a son whom he named Gershom, for he said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.”
FALSE IDENTITY IS BUILT ON FORCE BUT GOD-GIVEN IDENTITY IS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIP.
Exodus 3:9-12 - 9 The Israelites’ cry for help has come to Me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”
Exodus 4:1-2 - Then Moses answered, “What if they won’t believe me and will not obey me but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” 2 The Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.
Exodus 2:11-12 - He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 Looking all around and seeing no one, he struck the Egyptian dead and hid him in the sand.
ROD OF OPPRESSION vs STAFF OF SALVATION
The Symbolism of Egyptian Rod
- Tool of Control
- Used to strike & harm people
- Represents Egypt
- Authority through fear
- Enforces Slavery
The Symbolism of Shepherd’s Staff
- Tool of Care
- Used to guide & protect sheep
- Represents God’s calling
- Authority through relationship
- Leads to freedom
THE MISTAKES THAT LEAD YOU INTO THE WILDERNESS DON'T HAVE BECOME YOUR IDENTITY.
WE ARE NOT DEFINED BY WHAT LED US INTO THE WILDERNESS.
WE ARE DEFINED BY WHAT GOD DOES IN US THROUGH IT—AND HOW WE CHOOSE TO WALK OUT OF IT.
