Thursday: A Change of Plans
Daily Lesson for Thursday 3rd of July 2025
Read Exodus 2:11-25. What events quickly transpired to change the entire direction of Moses’ life? What lessons can we learn from this story?
What would Moses do? Would he succumb to the lure of Egypt and to the pleasures of the court, or would he endure hardship with his embattled people? Events soon forced a decision for him.
“When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well” (Exodus 2:15, NKJV).
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
After the killing, Moses really had no choice, at least as far as remaining in Egypt. Thus, whatever plans there were for him to ascend to the throne of Egypt and to become a “god,” those plans were quickly ended. Rather than becoming a false god, Moses would serve the true God instead. No doubt, at the time when he fled, Moses had no idea what the future held for him.
“The whole matter [of Moses’ killing the Egyptian] was quickly made known to the Egyptians, and, greatly exaggerated, soon reached the ears of Pharaoh. It was represented to the king that this act meant much; that Moses designed to lead his people against the Egyptians, to overthrow the government, and to seat himself upon the throne; and that there could be no security for the kingdom while he lived. It was at once determined by the monarch that he should die; but, becoming aware of his danger, he [Moses] made his escape and fled toward Arabia.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 247.
Moses lived 120 years (Deuteronomy 34:7), and his life can be divided into three parts of 40 years each. The first 40 years were in Egypt, much of them in the royal palace. The second 40 years he spent in Jethro’s house in the Midian territory.
It’s the last 40 years, however, that take up the bulk of the first five books of Moses (and this quarter), and they tell the story of Israel’s early calling to witness to a world steeped in idolatry, revealing the nature and character of the true God (see Deuteronomy 4:6-8).
|
Was it God’s plan that Moses kill the Egyptian? If not, what does this story teach us about how God can overrule in any situation and use it for His own purposes? How does Romans 8:28 help us understand this important truth? |
(11)
Moses found himself in a unfamiliar situation after committing first degree murder. As Pharaoh's son, he had the power to resolve the conflict without violence, but he fails and misses an opportunity to lead with wisdom rather than anger. The very people he was defending turned their backs on him. Anger makes Moses not only a murderer but also a fugitive who needs to run in order to save his life.
Many of us can relate to Moses’ feeling of rejection. When our own families, people we have trusted gossip against you, and tarnish your name despite your good intentions. Moses’ story is a reflection of what we go through: being misunderstood, isolated, and left to deal with shame and loneliness, all while wrestling with past mistakes.
But here’s the powerful truth, God still chooses to use Moses. Even as a murderer and a rejected man, God calls him for a divine purpose. And just like Moses, many of us may not be physical murderers, but Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:22 that anger and character assassination among others. If we’ve ever torn someone down, gossiped, or been part of holding others back out of jealousy or spite, we’ve committed a different kind of murder. Yet even then, God offers grace, purpose, and the chance for redemption indeed a change of plan.
Killing is a terrible sin but anger is a great sin too because it also violates God's command to love. It is a dangerous emotion which always threatens to leap out of control leading to violence, emotional hurt,increased mentàl stress. There's spiritual damage as well hindering our relationship with God. Broken relationships should be resolved as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to have a right relationship with God while we have wrong relationship with others. Our relationship with others reflect our relationship with God (1 John 4:20).
The man Moses was a survivor. He survived the genocide. He survived the rive Nile crocodiles. Moses was a miracle child born to fulfil miraculous mission under the sovereign power of God. The life of Moses was orchestrated by a Mighty God who had a divine plan. Not any obstacle was too big for Moses, because a God who controls all human affairs was absolutely behind him. No human or evil power could thwart God plan for Moses life. The change of luck from a pharaoh in waiting to a shepherd boy were all meant to accomplish God’s divine plan, to set the Hebrew people free. One starts to wonder whether this episode of Moses killing an Egyptian was part of God’s plan in setting the Hebrew people free! Who can absolutely understand God’s ways?
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT).
I would like to explore a bit the episode of Moses killing an Egyptian whether it was part of God overall plan of setting the Hebrew people free.
I like the manner in which the Bible presents God as sovereign who can work through human weakness and human sin to accomplish His divine purpose (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20). So, while God used the incident to begin Moses’ journey toward leadership and deliverance, the killing itself was a reckless act due to human weakness and not a direct divine instruction. God did not give Moses instruction to kill the Egyptian. God’s mercy and patience are incredible. God did not discard Moses due to his act of murder. This is message of hope where God redeems the broken vessels (sinners) (2 Timothy 2:21). God works with the imperfect people to give them a perfect mission.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
The episode of Moses killing an Egyptian taskmaster had nothing to do with God's Will but everything to do with Satan's will to derail God’s plan for Moses life. Moses learned a painful lesson that it is "not by might, not by power, but by my spirit says the Lord." (Zechariah 4:6)
The anger of man never accomplishes the righteousness of Christ. Was Moses justified in getting angry? Indeed! But to take matters into his hands and act from his carnality caused him to have to learn patience from leading sheep for forty years. This learning taught him more than all the education that he learned in the schools of the Pharoah.
What the enemy intended for evil, God turned it around for good. (Genesis 50:20)
God still does the same today. He uses our failures to refine us, so that we can be better used by him.
Amen Amen Tim, be blessed
I have mentioned several times, the lessons I learned as a child growing up on a farm where we had a flock of about 200 sheep. The interaction between the shepherd, my grandfather, and his flock of Romney-Southdown cross sheep, provided me with important lessons as I grew up and has been a source of inspiration in dealing with people.
The lesson hardly pauses to consider Moses 40 years in Midian, that is about a third of his life. Moses had lived a privileged life in Eqypt and needed to unlearn some of the attitudes of power that came with it. It was a big but necessary step from the halls of the captains and kings to one of service and humility. Looking after a flock of strong-willed, stiff-necked sheep without the help of fences, finding their food and water, protecting them from themselves, and their enemies, would have been just the education that the future leader of Israel needed.
Not to mention that he found a wife, Zipporah, whose father, Jethro, was a wise counsellor who later provided good advice for the governance of the embryonic nation of Israel.
It was not a wasted period for Moses. He learned patience, persistence and humility from his 40 years of shepherding.
If we want good church leaders, find out how they handle sheep!
The Israelites were in Egypt, Moses flees to Midian where he falls into the arm of a priest who takes care of him those 40 years. The Israelites were the chosen people of God but there was another priest who worshiped God as well who was not an Israelite. Bring it down to our generation. How many times have we looked at ourselves and said we are the people of God and those without are doomed to destruction?
In Kenya, we have this privilege of worshiping God. As Jethro, don't you think there is someone faithful to God in Pyongyang North Korea, Puntland Somali or Riyadh Somali. There are and many more.
To the last question of the lesson. It is God's will that the decided wicked perish but not the way we think. Prof. Moses was just in a hurry.
Lastly, imagine a lesson that Jochebed gave to Moses for 12 years remained with him for the next 28.
Wonderful comment.Like most of us think that since we are Seventh day worshippers other people who don't ho to church on this day,will never see the kingdom of God. God bless u
Hebrews 11:24-27 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
I don't understand why Moses was put in the book of faith because he did not choose himself to leave the luxury in pharaoh's palace but was forced by circumstance - that he had been known to have committed murder and pharaoh was after him
Helen,that's a thoughtful observation, and it's true that on the surface, Moses' departure from Pharaoh's palace doesn’t look like a voluntary act of faith—it appears more like him fleeing for his life after killing an Egyptian (Exodus 2:11–15). But Hebrews 11:24–27 gives us a deeper, spiritual perspective:
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”
This tells us that Moses made an intentional, internal decision to identify with God's oppressed people—even if the external circumstance (fleeing Egypt) was triggered by the murder incident. His act of defending a Hebrew shows that he had already begun to reject his Egyptian identity.
So while the circumstance pushed him out of the palace, the choice to align with God's people and reject sinful privilege came from a place of faith. God saw not just what happened, but why it happened. Faith, after all, is measured by the heart's direction, not just the outward event.
In short: Moses didn’t just run from Pharaoh—he was running toward God's purpose, whether he fully understood it or not.
Thank you so much for the elaboration
I think we have to remember that Moses committed the murder with good intentions. He was already deciding who to ally himself with. The action showed that. It wasn't God's plan for him to take matters into his own hands, but Moses had cast his die, so to speak, with God's people at that time.
The author of Hebrews presents Moses' situation very positively (really the whole chapter is like that - it doesn't mention Abraham or Jacob's flaws either). Is that just idealism? Or is something else going on? I think God sees His children positively. Their faith (which really is a gift from Him) is all that He sees. It's much like Christ's robe of righteousness. The negative aspects don't matter in the big picture. It's a little like many of the kings where it's recorded that they did right in the eyes of the Lord. Now some of them had some flaws and made some bad choices. But the ultimate legcacy is positive. The same can be true of each one of us.
Moses was not actually ready to emancipate the Israelite people by resorting to violence which earned him treason charges and remained fugitive forty years after eluding his captors while treason charges remained in force. After another forty years he received the commission to deliver israelites though reluctantly, due to treason charges. Its very encouraging to know that God can still work with us after terrible sins so long as we are able to repent and still have passion for the commission. Lets compare and contrast Moses training and our present training of theologians do they match Moses? Lastly for example, if Moses was an Adventist pastor and had committed such gruesome murder could he be reinstated after repentance?
I'm really blessed with your comments lm praying for you may Gods Best be yours.
Romans 8:28 doesn't say that all "good" things work together for good. It reads, "all things," good, bad, and indifferent. Only God Himself can bring good out of something bad. So regardless of the situation in which you may find yourself, don't despair. God can turn it around if we cooperate with Him. He doesn't need our help, only our submission and cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
God's "plan B" is greater than your "plan A." Though he would rather operate His "plan A" in our lives.
The liberation of the nation of Israel from Egyptian slavery was delayed 40 years due to Moses having to flea into exile to learn to lead by example, rather than force. Sometimes God has to wait for us to come to our senses before He can use us to fulfill His plan and purpose in our lives, and relationships. It is often in the "wilderness " experiences of our lives in which we discover the "burning bush," and respond to God's calling and direction of our lives.
God was able to manifest his power through Moses because of his constant faith in the power and in the loving intentions of their deliverer.
After reading the accounts and thoughts of Moses, one thought entered my mind. The Son of God had to come to the earth to be born, live, die, and be resurrected, from grave, because He was and is the only One who could exemplify our Father in heaven, a perfect life. That is why God can use men and women who have broken even one of the ten commandment. They are forgiven, having repented, and standing for the truth.
So if you are down hearted and down right dismayed with past sins, don’t listen to that dark evil voice which say’s God can’t use you any more because you sinned and have fallen short of the Glory of God. We all have. Romans 4:19-25, Romans 5:1-2. Yes Abraham had committed sins in the past too.
Yet we see as Paul pointed out, as it is written in Genesis 15:6 that because he believed (an action word), it was counted to Him as righteousness. The power of God’s forgiveness.
What would Moses do? He provided us with the answer the first opportunity that was presented to him.
But Moses purposed in his heart that he would deliver God's people.
Lessons to learn: -
Don't be overzealous to right the wrong outside of God's plan and purpose Jeremiah 29:11. How would God have achieved His purpose of Moses being His deliverer? We would never know... Moses "robbed" us of that privilege to see God's mighty manifestation.
Moses was not to be made a god to Pharoah before God's time- see Exodus 7: 1
Can we liken Pharoah's daughter to Queen Vasthi- both being used in the realms of God's orchestration but seemingly goes into obliviation.
Acts of the Apostles, page 581, tells us; "but the Lord's hand was moving unseen in the darkness. In the providence of God, (Moses, like John the Revelator) was placed where Christ could give him a wonderful revelation of Himself and of divine truth for the enlightenment of churches (God's people)
Thank you God for your plans are best ...I love you Lord ...give me grace as You Lord forgive my folly Romans 8.28
What a powerful lesson,that your wickedness God can still look at you and see you as His divine instrument.May we find that favor too.
Similar to Barbara Thompson, I thrive on the fact that God's plans, and His timing, are best.
-Romans 8:28
God can make much of the minuscule. He can make victory out of vexation and intended oppression. The Eternal One continues to work similarly in my life today, developing in me the character of an overcomer ... like He did in the lives of Moses, Joseph and his son Manasseh. My Savior can bring out the best work - to His glory - outside of the spotlight. He can make for good, that which was meant for evil.
God’s authority surpasses any Earthly strength. Therefore, though we may experience tragedy and trauma, we are not left alone. Our Heavenly Father is able to use difficult times to prepare us for the greatest contributions of our lives. He sees us.
(2 Chronicles 16:9)
May we, like Noah, find grace, “in the eyes of the Lord.” Yes. We can, if we choose to commit our lives, unreservedly, to Him. God wants to be with us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
French Translation:
Mon Dieu peut tirer le meilleur parti de l'infime. Il peut transformer la contrariété et l'oppression voulue en victoire. Mon Sauveur peut transformer en bien ce qui était destiné au mal.
L'autorité de Dieu surpasse toute force terrestre. Ainsi, même si nous traversons des tragédies et des traumatismes, nous ne sommes pas abandonnés. Notre Père céleste sait utiliser les moments difficiles pour nous préparer aux plus grandes contributions de notre vie. Il nous voit. (2 Chroniques 16:9)
Puissions-nous, comme Noé, trouver grâce « aux yeux de l'Éternel ». Oui. Nous le pouvons, si nous choisissons de lui consacrer notre vie sans réserve. Dieu veut être avec nous. Il y a de l'espoir !
« Car je connais les projets que j'ai formés sur vous », déclare l'Éternel, « projets de paix et non de malheur, afin de vous donner un avenir et de l'espérance. » Jérémie 29:11
Praise God for the hope that is found in Jesus Christ!