D.L. Moody said: “Moses spent his first forty years thinking he was somebody. He spent his second forty years thinking he was nobody. He spent his third forty years discovering what God can do with nobody.” What did Moses do in the wilderness for forty years? Twiddling thumbs, watching birds, calling sheep to follow, shouting at the wayward sheep, singing old songs, thinking about his life, parents, brother, sister, and others? It was the transformation of becoming a shepherd of His people, a spiritual metamorphosis. (Exodus 3:1)
Self-dependent or God-dependent: The training given by the Royal Egyptian Academy was considered the best in the world. Moses excelled here and he had led several military campaigns on behalf of Egypt. He thought he could deliver the slave Hebrews from slavery. Without Him, he cannot do anything. (John 15: 5)
Capability or receptivity: Moses thought to be a great leader, he needed capacity, ability, and skill. He should display his prowess. Now, he learned that he should receive God’s commandment, authority, wisdom, and strategy by faith.
Civilization to the wilderness: As shepherd Moses learned the art of finding water, providing sleeping arrangements, details about wildlife, planning life…invaluable knowledge to lead people.
Pride or Humility: Moses had to learn humility. He became nobody from being a Prince. An heir-apparent to be shepherd of the flock of his father-in-law.
Big picture or small parts: Moses thought like a military strategist to inspire a revolt of Hebrews and overthrow Egypt. But God wanted to give him a bigger picture. The spiritual dimension of teaching Israel to worship and create the Tabernacle. Geographical dimension of Possessing the Promised Land; Legal dimension of providing moral, civil, ritual, and hygienic laws. Individual dimension of possession of land, revenues, rights, privileges, and obligations.
Leap of faith: Moses grew in faith in those forty years that he refused his identity as being son of Pharaoh’s daughter; chose suffering with people of God rather than temporal luxury and ease of life; chose reproach and cross of Christ than rewards and treasures of Egypt. (Hebrews 11:23-26)
Do I learn in the school of affliction?