On the Run

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Exodus 2:11-15

TO CHEW ON: "The man said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?' Then Moses was afraid and thought, What I did must have become known." Exodus 2:14

Fast forward 40 years. Moses was all grown up. Though he was raised in the palace as a prince, deep inside he loved the Hebrew people – his people.

One day he saw an Egyptian slave master beating a fellow Hebrew. He looked around to make sure no one was watching.

Moses kills the Egyptian - Artist unknown

Then he drew his sword, killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand.

The next day he happened to be walking by when he saw two Hebrew men fighting. He tried to break up the fight. But one of them said to him, “Who made you our boss? Are you going to kill me like you killed the Egyptian yesterday?”

Now Moses knew the news of the murder was out! The palace was no longer a safe place for him. He ran for his life. And sure enough when Pharaoh heard of the killing, he ordered Moses killed.

Moses probably lived most of his life with the feeling that God had kept him alive as a baby for a reason. Though he grew up living like an Egyptian prince, he loved the Israelite people and wanted to do something for them. But instead of waiting for God to tell him what to do and when to do it, he tried to help in his own way. That was a big mistake.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to wait for Your time and do things in Your way. Amen.

MORE: Bible Fugitives

Many other Bible characters also found themselves on the run. Which statements about these Bible runaways are true? Which are false?

1. Jacob ran away because his brother Esau wanted to kill him after he stole Esau’s blessing. (Genesis 27:41-45)

2. Jonah ran away because a whale was chasing him. (Jonah 1:1-3)

3. David ran away because King Saul was jealous of him and had vowed to kill him. (1 Samuel 20:30-34)

4. Joseph and Mary ran away because King Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus. (Matt 2:13-15)

5. The early Christians ran away because they were trying to escape persecution (Acts 8:1)

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.