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In the last article we took a look at Moses' second forty year phase.

But I'd also mentioned that this forty year phase would be the first that he had spent in the wilderness.

This is a small detail, but a very important one as well: for we must understand the process that it took, when it came to the building up of Moses.

Unfortunately, it's during this phase of Moses' life that seem to go unnoticed by most. But it's also the phase that reveals the divine footprints of God; for we are able to see how God was using Moses' ordeal, to prepare him for the next phase of his life.

From a natural perspective, it would seem that Moses had lost everything because he was willing to stand up for the things he was passionate about. Regardless of how it came about, he was once a prince of Egypt and now he is found, to be a mere shepherd in the wilderness.

"Oh, how far he has fallen." One might say. But in reality Moses was being prepared for a much greater role, than the one he held prior. This is why it's important to pay close attention to that second forty year phase, and how God would use the Midianites to train Moses on how to survive in such an environment, when it came to dwelling in the desert.

For Moses had no such skills when he first arrived within the land of Midian and now it would be those skills along with the spirit of the Lord that would direct Moses on a path that would forever change his life.

"Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God." -- Exodus 3:1

Now real quick let's take a look at this Scripture a little closer, for I want to point out something when it comes to the man named "Jethro" that's mentioned within it's context. Understand that there's nothing much to go into. There's no need to go into the different theories when it comes to who he really was.

But in order to keep things clear, know that some would say that he was the son of Reuel that was mentioned earlier in the last chapter, and that he had succeeded his father's position as the new "priest of Midian" upon his death. But I hold the viewpoint that most likely, Reuel and Jethro were perhaps the same man.

Being that Reuel was probably his real name, and Jethro was perhaps a title of some sort. But I will leave it there, being that this information doesn't change, or have a significant impact on the events that were to follow. I just wanted to bring this to your attention, nothing more, and nothing less. Keep in mind, that it's not uncommon for a person to be known by two different names when it comes to the Sacred Record.

But this Scripture also reveals that Moses' has now came upon Horeb, which was also known as Mt. Sinai or the "Mountain of God." Now some believe that "Horeb" was the name of the entire mountain range that was located within that tract of land, and Mt. Sinai or the "Mountain of God" was the actual name of the mountain that Moses came upon. I tend to hold this view as well. But once again, just a little bit of extra information, nothing more, and nothing less. It doesn't change, or impact the events any differently, that are about to happen. So let's move forward.

"And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, 'I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.'" -- Exodus 3:2,3

Let's take a quick look at something here, notice how the Scripture reveals that "angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire." Now some teach that this angel was Jesus, and others teach that this angel was just another one of God's many created angels. And honestly, as much as I want it to be Jesus (Yeshua) Christ, the Sacred Record isn't specific when it comes to the actual angel. Be that as it may, I just wanted to point this out, because unfortunately people are arguing and bickering about who the angel really was. Personally I find this argument to be ridiculous and simply a waste of time. Yeah I know, the nerve I display at times.

But what's important is that the one true God spoke to Moses through this burning bush, and rather if it was one of His many created angels, or the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, should not matter at this point within the Sacred Record. So basically, why waste your time arguing about it? Seriously, do you really believe that this takes away from Jesus being the true Messiah? Do you really believe that this argument need to be made? Honestly, is it saving souls, or dividing us? Understand that there's enough evidence, facts and divine confirmations that supports Jesus (Yeshua) Christ as being the true Messiah, that was prophesied by the prophets of old. And that should be the end of that particular discussion... period.

"So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then He said, 'Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.' Moreover He said, 'I am the God of your father--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God." -- Exodus 3:4-6

Finally Moses is able to get some divine confirmation of all that he had been told by his mother, while she nursed him, before he was to go and take his place amongst the Egyptians as an adopted son. This would perhaps, be a moment of such a great magnitude, for Moses was able to experience the presence of God, just like his forefathers had done before him.

Sometimes I wonder: "Would one had blamed him for doubting all that he had been told, when it came to the one true God?" Yeah I know Moses never stated that he had doubted, but if he did, could we blame him? Now hear me out...

Moses didn't have a Sacred Record like we have today. He didn't have a recording of all that God had done through the history of mankind and the natural existence of things. No record of the many prophecies that had been foretold and how they were fulfilled, and how they are continuing to be fulfilled to this very day.

Oh, what true advantages we hold to this very day when it comes to the Word of God. To be able to have an actual Divine Record, that's been validated and proven throughout time, is a very powerful resource to have at our fingertips, and to learn from daily. God is awesome I must say. No wonder Moses hid his face, once he knew that this was the God of his forefathers that he had heard so much about. Shame on us for doubting the Word of God. What would it take for us to get behind the "Good Book" 100%?

Be that as it may, notice what God said next:

"And the Lord said: 'I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.'" -- Exodus 3:7-10

We now find that God has just revealed to Moses that He knows about the Israelites down in Egypt. That He has heard their cry and knows about their hardships and the intense persecution that they are suffering from at the hands of the Egyptians. I must say, this had to be a tremendous relief for Moses, being that one could imagine how helpless he must have felt, when he had to flee for his life and to leave his people behind to suffer. But honestly at that time in his life, what could he have done?

I mean after all when Moses tried to act upon his own heart and own understanding, he was ridiculed and mocked from the very ones that he was trying to help and protect. Now he knows that God is concerned about the Israelites and their situation; and that He has heard their cries. But what will Moses do, now that he knows that God intends to send him back to Egypt; in order to deliver the Israelites from the bondage they now endure?

In the next article we will take a look and see if Moses will have the confidence and courage to face the very people who rejected his help forty years before? And what about Pharaoh, will Moses have the same confidence and courage to face an Egyptian royal administration that's looking to try him for his past crime of murder?

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

Jacob Becomes Ill

The Prophecies of Jacob

Moses the Son of Levi

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

145) <-CURRENT PAGE->

146) True Purpose of Moses

147) Identifying with Moses

148) The Systematic God

149) Moses the Self-Defeated

150) A Frustrated God

151) Reality Check for Zipporah

152) Moses' Losing & Costly Position of Compromising

153) Moses Meets Aaron At The Mountain of God

154) Moses Gathers the Elders of Israel

155) Moses Confronts Pharaoh

156) Pharaoh Moves Against God