Fugitives: Moses
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Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is renowned not only as a prophet and leader of the Israelites but also as a fugitive during a significant period of his life. His flight from Egypt marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, illustrating themes of divine providence, justice, and redemption.

Background and Context

Moses was born during a time of great oppression for the Israelites in Egypt. The Pharaoh, fearing the growing population of the Hebrews, decreed that all newborn Hebrew boys be killed. Moses' mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months and then placed him in a basket on the Nile River. He was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, growing up in the Egyptian royal household (Exodus 2:1-10).

The Flight from Egypt

Moses' status as a fugitive began when he was about forty years old. Despite his Egyptian upbringing, Moses identified with his Hebrew brethren. One day, witnessing an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave, Moses intervened and killed the Egyptian. Realizing that his act was known and fearing for his life, Moses fled from Pharaoh's wrath to the land of Midian (Exodus 2:11-15).

The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event: "When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well" (Exodus 2:15).

Life in Midian

In Midian, Moses found refuge and a new life. He married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (also called Reuel), a priest of Midian, and became a shepherd. This period of exile lasted forty years, during which Moses lived a humble life, far removed from the grandeur of Egypt (Exodus 2:16-22).

Divine Encounter and Return to Egypt

Moses' time as a fugitive ended with a divine encounter at Mount Horeb, where God appeared to him in a burning bush. God called Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of bondage. Despite his initial reluctance and feelings of inadequacy, Moses obeyed God's command, marking the beginning of his role as a deliverer (Exodus 3:1-10).

The Berean Standard Bible captures this moment: "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10).

Significance

Moses' experience as a fugitive is significant in several ways. It highlights God's sovereignty and preparation of His chosen leaders, even through trials and exile. Moses' flight to Midian was not merely an escape but a divinely orchestrated period of preparation for his future mission. His time in the wilderness equipped him with the skills and humility necessary to lead the Israelites through their own wilderness journey.

Furthermore, Moses' account as a fugitive underscores the biblical theme of justice. His initial act of defending a Hebrew slave, though resulting in his flight, foreshadows his later role as a liberator of his people. Moses' life exemplifies the transformative power of God's call, turning a fugitive into one of the greatest leaders in biblical history.
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Exodus 2:15
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelled in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How the Hebrews Fought with the Midianites, and Overcame Them.
... There were to be also, by Moses's command, three other cities allotted for the
habitation of these fugitives out of the cities of the Levites, but not till ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how the hebrews.htm

A Path in the Sea
... where the fierce charge of the Egyptian chariots and cavalry on the straggling masses
of the fugitives is inexplicably ... Moses alone keeps his head and his faith ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a path in the sea.htm

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... This covenant is commonly called "The Law of Moses." All the rest of the Old ... To the
weld the scattered fugitives from Egypt into a nation, distinct from other ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

Author's Preface.
... Last scene on Moab. Significance of the work of Moses. Lessons of the period. ... The
period of the captivity. The fugitives in Egypt. Exiles in Babylon. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tidwell/the bible period by period/authors preface.htm

The Early Training of a Race.
... them. And whenever the ark started, Moses would say,. ... They simply give
occasional pictures of the life of the Hebrew fugitives. They ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... Did Moses show himself a coward in fleeing from the land of Egypt? ... to the east of
Egypt had for centuries been the place of refuge for Egyptian fugitives. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Between the Midianites and the Israelitish fugitives from Egypt there had been close
affinity. Moses had found a refuge in Midian, and his wife and children ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Ideal Statesman [Footnote: Preached on Occasion of Mr. ...
... very limited one, to manage the little affairs of a handful of fugitives in the ... So
what was needed for managing the little concerns of Moses' wanderers in the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture k/the ideal statesman footnote preached.htm

Matt. xix. 1
... they may not say, Whence is it manifest, that "for our hardness Moses said this ... him
with all his army, but he was, with a few desperate fugitives, wandering and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxii matt xix 1.htm

Acts IX
... instruction in Jewish history, and such portions of the law of Moses as he ... no bounds,
and Saul, with characteristic ardor, started in pursuit of the fugitives. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm

Resources
What was the significance of the horns of the altar (Amos 3:14)? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God judge Edom so harshly in the book of Obadiah? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Fugitives

Fugitives: Absalom

Fugitives: David

Fugitives: from Servitude, not to be Returned

Fugitives: from Slavery, Shimei's Servants

Fugitives: Jeroboam

Fugitives: Joseph, to Egypt

Fugitives: Moses

Fugitives: Onesimus

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Noble (61 Occurrences)

Nobleman (5 Occurrences)

Nobles (71 Occurrences)

Fugitive (12 Occurrences)

Gileadites (5 Occurrences)

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Makkedah (8 Occurrences)

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)

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Noising (1 Occurrence)

Undone (20 Occurrences)

Japhia (5 Occurrences)

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Fighteth (23 Occurrences)

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Fortress (75 Occurrences)

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Fortified (79 Occurrences)

Fords (9 Occurrences)

Fort (8 Occurrences)

Tema (5 Occurrences)

Renegades (1 Occurrence)

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Ruined (65 Occurrences)

Ephramite (1 Occurrence)

Ekron (20 Occurrences)

Eglath-sheli-shijah (1 Occurrence)

Ekronite (1 Occurrence)

En-dor (3 Occurrences)

Ephraimite (6 Occurrences)

E'phraimite (3 Occurrences)

Endor (3 Occurrences)

E'phraimites (9 Occurrences)

Daphne

Migdol (6 Occurrences)

Manassites (7 Occurrences)

Misrephothmaim (2 Occurrences)

Misrephoth-maim (2 Occurrences)

Mounting (3 Occurrences)

Babylonians (48 Occurrences)

Chalde'ans (74 Occurrences)

Captives (69 Occurrences)

Captureth (24 Occurrences)

Ascent (32 Occurrences)

Army (401 Occurrences)

Shaon (1 Occurrence)

Shibboleth (1 Occurrence)

Surrender (18 Occurrences)

Survivor (18 Occurrences)

Sihon (34 Occurrences)

Hauran (2 Occurrences)

Horns (104 Occurrences)

Helkath-hazzurim (1 Occurrence)

Helkathhazzurim (1 Occurrence)

Amorite (81 Occurrences)

Horona'im (5 Occurrences)

Escaped (94 Occurrences)

Tabor (12 Occurrences)

Collected (55 Occurrences)

Thirsty (38 Occurrences)

Fulfil (60 Occurrences)

Crete (7 Occurrences)

Consumeth (37 Occurrences)

Winds (35 Occurrences)

Headlong (15 Occurrences)

Wake (34 Occurrences)

Hophra (1 Occurrence)

Defeated (88 Occurrences)

Ephraim (168 Occurrences)

Tyre (59 Occurrences)

Woe (102 Occurrences)

Declaring (48 Occurrences)

Wo (92 Occurrences)

Forehead (23 Occurrences)

Gilead (130 Occurrences)

Fought (109 Occurrences)

Pick (37 Occurrences)

Captured (143 Occurrences)

Fugitives: Joseph, to Egypt
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