Moses

February 17

Exodus 2:16-25

Who is your master?

Moses had fled from Pharaoh and was sitting at a well when the seven daughters of Jethro came along to draw water for their flock. Other shepherds also arrived and drove the girls away, but Moses came to their rescue.

When the girls’ father heard about Moses, he invited him to stay and help look after the flock.

Many years passed. During that time, the king of Egypt died. However, for the Israelites who were still slaves in Egypt, life did not get any better. Yet God heard their cries for help and remembered the promise He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Can a slave ever be set free?

Moses was part of Jacob’s family, just like the other Israelites. But while Moses became a servant and shepherd for Jethro, the Israelites were forced to work as slaves. Moses could have become a slave too—or even been killed as a baby—but God rescued him and kept him safe.

Unlike a servant, a slave does not have a choice about who his master is, and he cannot set himself free. His master owns him and forces him to work, giving him little or nothing in return. A slave has no rights and is usually treated very badly.

We are descendants of Adam, and because he sinned, we are born as slaves to sin and under the power of the devil.

The good news is that Jesus can set us free from being slaves to the devil. When Jesus died for us, He paid the price to buy us back. If you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Master, you have been set free from the devil’s control. You now belong to Jesus, and as a child in God’s family, you are free to serve Him joyfully.

Verse for today

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:34-36.