Adoption

O.T. #125 "Adoption"
Sept. 11, 2013
Exodus 2-Part 4
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens; and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
Exodus 2:11

LET IT GLOW

I know a brother and sister who were adopted when they were elementary age. The couple already had three children of their own. Yet,they had enough love to go around. The two adopted children were given the best clothes, education, and family life just like the blood children.
I am adopted too. The King of the universe, King Jesus, adopted me into his family. I have all the rights and privileges as all my brothers and sisters in Christ. How about you?
Did you know that Moses was adopted, also?

In order to save his life, Moses' mother gave him away, yet she received him back for two, three, or even four years. Isn't that the way our loving God works? She kept her part of the agreement with the Egyptian princess. Don't you know it was a very difficult thing to do. I imagine this mother was extremely grateful to God for that time with him. I wonder if she taught him songs about God, their genealogy, heritage. Whatever she did was effective. I hope we are effective parents and grandparents in our teachings about our God.

Charles Swindoll, in his Bible study guide, Moses, God's Man For a Crisis, said:

Acts 7 tells us that Pharaoh's daughter took Moses and brought him up as her own son. He was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. (verses 21-22) New American Standard Version uses the word nurtured, which means to educate, rear. Moses was raised as any child in the royal family would be. He was given a majestic suite, tutored in court life and protocol, advised on cultural and traditional matters, and instructed in the finest arts of his day. In fact, many historians believe that he was being groomed for the throne of Egypt. Moses would have received instruction on Egyptian theology, astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and other subjects. Moses had become a man of power in words and deeds. 

 Hebrews 11:24-27 NIV says, By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as a greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

How strong is my faith and commitment to Christ? Am I willing to speak for my Savior?

LET IT GROW

We have some of Moses' background during the first 40 years of his life. Then what happened?
Acts 7:23 NIV states, When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. he saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian.

What happened the next day? Two Israelites (another name for Hebrews) were fighting and Moses tried to reconcile them. One of the men asked, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?"

Perhaps Moses thought he could help his people by his own power, prestige, and position. He was wrong. (Falwell)

Moses was trying to do God's will his way. He wasn't trying to do God's will God's way. Even though he may have had pure motives, his methods were not.
In fact, Moses tried to hide his deed of murder by burying the Egyptian in the sand. (verse 12b)

Moses thought that his brethren understood that God wanted to use him to deliver the Hebrews from slavery, but they didn't. He didn't become their wonderful leader, right then.
What did become of Moses? He ran to Midian and lived there for the next 40 years of his life.
Because he had acted apart from God's will in method and timing, he was forced to leave his surroundings of luxury for a desert of poverty.

Two spiritual principles that Swindoll gives us that are essential for our walk with God are:

1. When the self-life has run its course, we find ourselves settling in a desert. Fleshly actions will invariably lead to spiritual dryness. At that point, we usually stop and wonder if God will ever use us again.
2. When the self-life sits down, the well of a new life is near. When we finally come to our wits' end, we are ready to find cool refreshment in the abundant well of God. He is waiting to quench our spiritual thirst.

I feel challenged. How about you?

LET IT GO

Let go of my plans and look and listen for God's plans.

Wait for His timing and methods, then implement them.

Recognize that His ways are always best.

Your will,
Your way,
Today,
I pray.