Moses

February 16

Exodus 2:11-15

A false start

When Moses had grown up, he went to see his own people, the Hebrews, who were working very hard. There he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave—one of his own people!  Looking around, Moses saw no one watching so he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.

The next day he went out to watch the Hebrews again. This time he saw two of his own people fighting. He said to the one, “Why are you beating your fellow Hebrew?”

The man replied, “Who made you ruler over us? Are you going to kill me like you killed that Egyptian yesterday?”

Moses was afraid because he realized that someone else knew what he had done. When Pharaoh heard what Moses had done, he tried to kill him, but Moses ran away and went to live in the land of Midian.

Should we defend someone who is being bullied?

God had planned for Moses to be the leader who would free His people from slavery. The Lord made sure that Moses got the best training and education in Egypt.

One day, Moses decided that he was ready to start leading God’s people, but he messed up because he went about it the wrong way. God had not finished preparing him. Moses still needed to learn to be completely obedient and to wait for God to lead him.

It is always good to protect the weak from being teased and hurt. However, to do what Moses did is not the best way to stop a bully. It is always better to ask God for wisdom first. To help someone who is being bullied, start by staying close to him or her and be a loyal friend!

Verse for today

“Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” Proverbs 31:9.