Photo by William Cho; Photo Source; CC 2.0
Exodus 2:11-15
“One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, ‘Why do you strike your companion?’ He answered, ‘Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?’ Then Moses was afraid, and thought, ‘Surely the thing is known.’ When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well” (ESV).
Introduction:
The end of the year has come and gone. Have you even thought about any New Year’s resolutions yet – you know, those decisions you make every year to shed a few pounds, get in shape, stop smoking, and basically just start getting our lives back in order? There’s something about starting a new year that forces most people to want to make some resolutions. We like the idea of putting an old year behind us, along with all of its frustrations and mistakes, and starting over fresh and new.
In our above passage for this article, Moses desparately needed a fresh start as he sat down at that well in Midian. He had been miraculously adopted into the Pharaoh’s very own family, giving him access to the best education availbable at the time. He was prince of Egypt. And now, basically at midlife, he found himself aliented and isolated at a well in Midian. Have you ever found yourself in a postition like Moses? Have you ever found yourself asking what went wrong and what is it you are suppose to do next?
1. His Exile Was Actually the Result of His Own Impulsive and Violent Reactions. Sometimes we find ourselves in the same position as Moses because of things we ourselves have done. Maybe we had good intentions, but a combination of our actions and other ingredients produced a horrible outcome.
2. His Exile Was Also Caused by Others as Well. Moses checked the area to make sure there were no witnesses before he killed the Egyptian, but the story got out anyway. Who could have leaked the story? Well, the only who could have told was the Hebrew worker that he had saved! The exact person Moses risked his own life for went off and spread the news of the incident to others. Unfortunately this happens. Often times the very people we are trying to help are too busy trying to save their own skin or reputation to bother worrying about ours.
Moses ended up living out in the desert, getting married, and becoming a shepherd. Four decades passed, and the story resumed to uncover some important truths that can help us as we attempt to start over.
Exodus 3:11-14; 4:10
“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.’ Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you…Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.‘”
1. Moses’ New Start Was Initiated by God. After forty long years in the desert, Moses didn’t exactly go looking for God; God came to Moses. The Lord isn’t interested in our sitting around asking where we went wrong and whining about what we should have done. You see, He can take all of that and use it for His good. If tragedy has ever put your life “on hold” remember that it is often after such events that God uses people the most.
2. Moses’ New Start Happened Because Moses Himself Responded. Everything that was about to take place depended on Moses’ willingness to respond to God’s call. We notice that at first he resisted. Look at his excuses:
– I am a nobody (3:11). Have you ever felt like saying, or actually even said, “I’m not go amount to anything”? You know what the Lord’s response is to this? He says, “It doesn’t matter who you are; the only that matters is who I am, and I will be with you” (3:12).
– I don’t have enough knowledge (3:13). Moses stammers, “I don’t really even know who you are, I mean I don’t really know your name.” God replies, “I will tell you what you need to know” (3:14-15). When we are Christ-followers the truth is we don’t know everything that’s going to come our way, but faith moves on the information we have at the time, and trusts Him to give us the knowledge we need as we need it.
– I am not a good public speaker (4:10). “Hold up now. I’m not ready for a new beginning God; I might have to do something I’ve never done before.” You notice how we think or say these kinds of conditions to God as if He has any interest of compromising with us. It’s okay as long as we trust Him in the long run, it’s normal to a degree. But God calmly replies, “I will help you speak, and I will give you a helper that will even speak for you” (4:14-15). God will give us everything we need to carry out whatever it is He calls us to do.
3. Moses’ New Start Faced Difficulties. God often grants us new starts and when he does there are almost always difficulties that need to be faced and overcome, and they can be overcome with God’s help.
– Age can be overcome. Do you think you’re too old to change? Do you think you’re too old to make a difference? Do you think you’re too old for a new start? Well, Moses was 80 years old when he experienced the dream of starting over.
– Doubt can be overcome. All of the excuses Moses came up with showed the doubt he had about the future. In the face of doubt, God comforts us by letting us know He will not send us anywhere without going with us, nor will He call us to a bridge that can’t be crossed.
4. Moses’ New Start Required Two Things. There are two things that were required of Moses and the same two things are required of us if we are truly going to start again:
– Starting over requires putting the past behind you. Things that have kept you immobile in the past have to be released in order to move forward into the future God has in store for you. Have you experienced shattered dreams, broken relationships or broken promises that have left you asking what went wrong and what is it that you are suppose to do next? Well, try and leave that doubt at the foot of the cross. Study God’s Word on how to move on. Re-read articles such as this, books that may help, and seek professional help if it gets too rough on you.
– Starting over requires starting. After everything is said and done, we still have to take action. Each time we face the pitcher we still have to swing the bat.
Conclusion
There are only two beings who know the exact pain of your past, and present for that matter, and that is you and God. Remember that, God does know the pain of your past and He will help you climb any fence, or overcome any other barrier, that may stand in the way of a new start. A new year is about to begin, it is a year that has potential for great and mighty things. Start over. Make it a brand new chapter in your life. Allow God to bring about a new start through the power of His love and grace
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