Exodus 2:12–25 “God’s Steps Are Slow”

Exodus 2:12-25 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Sovereign Over Us- Michael W Smith
• Vertical Worship – Faithful Now
• I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130) – Shane & Shane

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Moses’ Retreat to Midian (Part 2) | Exodus 2:11-25 – Story for Kids
• I Will Follow | Kids Worship
• He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands | Maker Fun Factory Music Videos | Group Publishing
• Won’t Worry ‘Bout A Thing | Shipwrecked VBS | Group Publishing
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The author uses the expression “After a long time” (v. 11) to refer to forty years. During that time, Moses grew up in the Egyptian royal palace as part of the royal family, but he retained an awareness of his Hebrew identity. He must have lived with a burdened conscience, enjoying the luxuries of the palace while his fellow Hebrews suffered exploitation and persecution.

One day, he witnessed a Hebrew being beaten by an Egyptian. After confirming that no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian (vv. 11–12). The next day, he tried to intervene in a dispute between two Hebrews, only to discover that one of them had witnessed the murder (vv. 13–14). Word of this reached the Pharaoh, and Moses was forced to flee to the wilderness of Midian (v. 15).

In the wilderness of Midian, Moses meets the daughters of the Midianite priest. Midian is known as the descendant of Abraham’s fourth son by his third wife, Keturah (Genesis 25:1–3). This tribe originally lived on the east side of the Jordan River, but during Moses’ time, they resided in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula. Although the Midianites’ religion had roots in Abraham’s faith, over the course of more than four hundred years, it likely became heavily blended with other religions and evolved into something quite different.

The daughters of the Midianite priest were tending their flock when male shepherds began to harass them. Moses saw this and drove the men away (vv. 16–17). Because of this act, the priest Reuel (referred to as “Jethro” in Exodus 3:1) invited Moses into his home, and Moses decided to stay there. Reuel gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage (vv. 18–21). After they married, they had their first son and named him Gershom (v. 22).

The author again leaps over another forty years with the phrase “After a long period of time” (v. 23). During that time, the king of Egypt, who had oppressed the Israelites, died. Moses was now living as a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian. It seemed God’s plan of salvation through Moses had come to a standstill. Yet during that long silence, the Israelites cried out to God in their suffering (v. 23).

In verses 23 and 25, the author uses four verbs— “groaned,” “cried out,” “crying,” and “groaning”—to express the intensity of Israel’s pain. Likewise, in verses 24–25, four verbs— “heard,” “remembered,” “looked,” and “was concerned”—emphasize God’s response to their cries. History had now reached a critical point, and God was finally beginning something new.

Meditation:

God’s saving work through Moses unfolds at an extremely slow pace. When we see Moses being rescued from the Nile in a basket by Pharaoh’s daughter, it seems like God’s intervention is about to unfold immediately. Instead, Moses lived quietly for forty years in the Egyptian palace. Then, after an impulsive act of violence, he flees to the wilderness of Midian, where he hides for another forty years.

From a micro perspective, it seemed as though God’s saving plan through Moses had stopped or been abandoned. But from a macro perspective, it was all part of God’s preparation for the appointed time of salvation. God was waiting until the Israelites were ready to be delivered, and until Moses was ready to serve as their deliverer. And even as the Israelites groaned under Pharaoh’s tyranny and cried out for rescue, it seemed like God was silent. But during that time, God was hearing, remembering, seeing, and caring. When the time was right, He began His work.

God carries out His work slowly, through seemingly insignificant events and through people without names. Our task is to discern His slow, gentle, and delicate touch—and to live in step with that tempo. Even when God’s hand seems invisible, faith means trusting His providence and plan, enduring present suffering, and choosing to live according to His will.

Prayer:

God, who governs the movement of the universe and the course of history,
Your vast and slow steps are often hidden from our eyes.
Because of this, we frequently doubt and question Your sovereignty.
Help us to know You rightly and to believe in You truly.
Grant us faith to trust that, through our small choices and decisions,
You are unfolding Your great plan of salvation.
May we live faithfully today, following Your will.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Even when it feels like nothing is happening, God is working behind the scenes—slowly, gently, and faithfully—to prepare His people and fulfill His promises.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Have you ever waited a long time for something special to happen? How did it feel?
  • Why do you think God waited so long before using Moses to help the Israelites?
  • Can you think of one small thing you can do today that might make God happy?

• For Youth
  • What does it mean that God works through “small actions” and “people without names”?
  • Why do you think God allows long seasons of silence or waiting in our lives?
  • How can you stay faithful and patient when you don’t see immediate answers from God?