LENT: EXODUS 2

Lenten devotions: Exodus 2 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion)

This is an interesting chapter for our Lenten Journey. I’m not saying that the Bible has non-interesting chapters, but some of us try to avoid genealogies or description of sacrifices or ... (have freedom to feel the blank). This chapter is interesting with its content, but I can guess you have not heard this interpretation before – so, my devotional comments might be interesting too.

Exodus chapter 2 tells us a story of Moses’ birth, adoption into daughter of Pharaoh house. He was raised as a part of the royal court. When the first Christian martyr told his story, he summarized it in this way: “Moses was instructed in the all wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds” (Acts 7:22).

Then Moses had to run away. He goes into Midian land and stops on his way by a well. When shepherds drove away the seven daughters of the local priest, he stepped up and defended them. Now, here is an interesting thing. Being taught in ALL the wisdom, he was well trained in the martial arts of the Egyptians. You do not need to visualize Moses as kung-fu Panda, but he was able to exhibit his dominance over the shepherds. A needed remark: shepherds are not simpletons in the defense technics either. They had to guard their flocks against wild beasts or thieves. Therefore, the fact that Moses was able to confront them with great success means that his superiority became obvious.         

Why do we need to think about it in the time of Lent. Because while we pray for the peaceful and quiet life (1 Timothy 2:2), the world, the devil, and our own sinful nature through at us many punches to knock us down. Remembering that our war is not against flesh and blood, we learn from Jesus who had to engage in a fierce fight against assaults of the devil (Luke 4:1-13; cp. Matthew 6:13). The Lord Himself shows us how we can protect ourselves and others properly using the Word of God as a sword and the faith in the true God as the shield that can quench all the arrows of the evil one (Eph. 6:10-17). Hear the Word, read the Word, study and learn the Word, apply the Word in your lives, and be ready to share the Word.