As I was reading this passage, I had forgotten that the Israelites were people who knew nothing other than Egypt. For generations they lived, died and worked there. Moses though, was born into a unique situation by the Lord because he was educated and trained as royalty for the first third of his life, then he was in shameful exile in the second third of his life - eeking out an existence as a shepherd in the wilderness.
I think anyone who looked at Moses at that point would have seen a riches to rags story. A man who seemingly had it all, and made a dumb mistake which led to a life of exile. He was part of Egyptian royalty and then he was reduced to tending flocks in harsh conditions.
Although Moses could never have seen or envisioned where his life would go next, it prepared him perfectly for the final third of his life when he was tasked to lead his people out of Egypt to follow the Lord into the promised land. He had the regal bearing and education to stand up to Pharaoh and be a leader. He also had something else that was key - intimate and extensive knowledge of surviving in the wilderness.
Consequently, when his people encountered challenges with the basics, such as a need for water, Moses with the help of the Lord was able to lead them to find it and purify it. I think about my own severely limited knowledge of the outdoors, and I would be terribly lost trying to survive in the wilderness. I would have needed a guide, and for the Israelites, that guide was Moses.
The Lord provides in many mysterious ways and uses our gifts and talents to help others in ways we cannot imagine. I'm sure Moses never knew that he would be the essential piece to free his people and lead them into their promised land.
On a smaller scale too, I'm not really sure how God will use me in the future. I know that I am a small cog in the Lord's grand scheme, but it is impossible to know how the unusual path that my life has taken will ultimately serve me down the line in the future. All the little things that seem so random, will they come together for something meaningful?
Maybe yes, or maybe no - it will be fine either way, but I do know that the Lord is free to do whatever He needs to in my life. I'm His to command and through the life of Moses, I know that He can redeem anything for His greater purpose.
Lord Jesus, help me to stay true to Your path, knowing that You will put all the random pieces of my life together for the good. Thank You that You are a God of hope and redemption - that out of my sinfulness You have desired to clean me and plant my feet on solid ground. My life is Yours - In Jesus' name, AMEN.
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