Misunderstandings (2)

by R. Darke, Victoria, Canada | Category: Misunderstandings | May 1986

Humble, saintly Moses, divinely appointed leader of Israel, was not only the victim of murmurings but also of rebellion. These happenings, among other things, certainly had a wearing affect on the man of God, so much so that the Lord told him to appoint 70 elders to share with him the burden of the work with Israel (Numbers 11:16). From earliest days Moses was misunderstood. His life seems to have been divided into three periods of forty years each. Forty years in Egypt learning to be something; forty years in the wilderness learning that he was nothing; and forty years with the people learning that God is everything.

It was at the end of the first period when he was a well educated prince in Egypt's palace that his heart's affection led him to visit his downtrodden, persecuted brethren (Acts 7:23). This was when he saw an Israelite unjustly

attacked by an Egyptian; he intervened, killed the offender and buried him in the sand (Ex. 2:11,12). He "supposed that his brethren understood how that God by his hand was giving them salvation", Stephen tells us (Acts 7:25). But they misunderstood his motive, and the next day he was scorned, rebuked and accused when he attempted to act as peacemaker between two Israelis. Their attitude forced him to leave Egypt in a hurry. Moses must have been very confused by the turn of events. He had refused the plaudits, trappings, pleasures and gaiety of Egypt's royalty and society. He chose rather a Christ 4ike life, living as though Messiah was his example, instead of devoting his time accumulating wealth and property (Heb. 11:24-29).

Faith was the governing factor in Moses' life, and vision accompanied his life of faith. It taught him God's purpose in Israel, his part in that divine intention, and that his preparation was necessary if it was to be accomplished. It was possibly with this in mind that he visited his suffering brethren, his heart moved with compassion toward them. He supposed that they understood that God intended using him as their deliverer, but they misunderstood. So Moses entered phase two of his life serving as a shepherd in the wilderness. This task would be disdainful in the eyes of the Egyptians for shepherds were viewed by them as disgusting and abhorrent (Gen. 46:34).

How similar Moses' life was to that of the Lord Jesus, the most misunderstood One of all. Although He went about doing good, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, and giving eternal life to redeemed sinners, they misunderstood His true identity.

The purpose of His coming to earth as Son of God, Saviour-Messiah, was completely misunderstood. When He approached Jerusalem on the young ass He was publicly acclaimed with cries of "Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest" (Mat. 21:1-9). Garments and tree branches were spread before Him as a token of honour to His majesty. But the peoples' expectations seemed to be that their King had come to deliver them from the bondage of Rome. At no time was this promise given. He did, however, partake of blood and flesh that "He might paralyse him that had the dominion of death, that is the Adversary, and might release... as many as by fear of death were all their lifetime liable to bondage" (Heb. 2:

14,15), Rotherham). As with all world conquerors, the power of Rome was temporary, and not to be compared with the Devil's power which Christ conquered, literally brought to nothing, at Calvary. This great fact was far too important to be misunderstood by Israel, or any Gentile.

R. Darke, Victoria, Canada | May 1986
Misunderstandings