“Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his fellow Hebrews and looked at their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his fellow Hebrews. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw that there was no one around, he struck and killed the Egyptian, and hid]his body in the sand. Now he went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?” But he said, “Who made you a ]ruler and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known!” When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.” (Exodus 2:11-15 NASB)
During these days, it seems daily that the morning news reveals bad happenings from the night before, reports on retaliation shootings that result in killings. Yes, the killing of individuals, but also the killing of tranquility and talked about dreams, and the killing of optimism regarding peace taking over the streets. We show regret and remorse, but we must also realize the impact of people, particularly men, missing out on church and subscribing to the retaliation principles of the secular world. People are still subscribing to what they have heard, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,” but they have not read the law of non-resistance spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. They have not seen that God is always about reconciliation. They don’t belong to the masses of people, sinful men, women, boys, and girls, who have reconciled their relationship with the Creator and have attained peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ. They have not been taught the three principles of the church: love, forgiveness, and quick reconciliation. They have not been instructed from the word on being angry and sinning not. Oh the word of God overflows with so many lessons that can be taught to will increase the number of peacemakers versus multiplying the number of troublemakers. But none of these are what “History Lesson #2” is about.
You see Sunday, as I preached on “The Presence of the Lord,” with a capsulated view of the life of Moses, I did not comment on Moses killing of the Egyptian beating on of his fellow Hebrews. After this act, Moses fled to Midian and where he could be found shepherding sheep, something that would be beneficial as he would eventually shepherd God’s chosen people. Moses had already learned about the politics in Pharaoh’s house the first forty years of his life. So, the positive aspect of being in Midian is part of his equipping for the purpose that God would call him to fulfill. But like I said, I did not comment on Moses killing of the Egyptian and the Holy Spirit reminded me of that Sunday night and Monday night. It was like I was being warned that some might misinterpret my failure to comment in length to mean that retaliation can be justified. May that never be the case. So here is the brief lesson, validating a principle of God.
Lesson #2, today’s twofold history lesson, shows us that you shall reap what you sow, and while we might be forgiven, there are consequences for our wrong behavior. Read that again!
Our lesson is backed by Moses’ life, following his killing of the Egyptian. No, he did not go to jail, but he had a death sentence placed on him by Pharaoh. No he was not locked up and denied the freedoms of being a part of regular society, but he was in a new society where his position in life was no more, his power that he once possessed, was no more, his provisions were not as what he was accustomed to, and his people were no longer where he could commune with them whenever he wanted to. He was alienated by some, abandoned by many, and abhorred by others. Moses had some consequences for His actions. Moses reaped what he sowed, serving out his 40-year sentence, the second forty years of his life. But thank God that He will look beyond our faults and see our needs! Thank God that while others see the worst in us, He will see the best in us! Thank God for each and everyone of us who the Lord has called us out of darkness into the marvelous light, just as Moses was called out of darkness into the light of the burning bush to experience the presence of the Lord.
Now go back and read the lesson above. Then teach your children, your you grandchildren, and your great- grandchildren and pray they will pass it on! Our community and our world can be a better place! Have a great Tuesday. Be blessed!
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King