21. EVEN A MURDERER CAN BE FORGIVENIf God can make good use of a sinful prophet, how much more grace abounds for you!?
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If you were a prophet do you think you would be a better person? Do you think your salvation would be assured? Do you think that your life would be free of problems and fears? Would you be happier?
When we think of prophets we think of people especially chosen by God because they served God and did what was right. We admire them because they were accepted by God and knew it. This makes them seem high, holy, and far above us. At least that is what we have often heard. Let’s consider for a moment Moses, one of the greatest prophets of all time.
If you have seen the "10 Commandments" then you are familiar with the story of the Red Sea. God told Moses to lift up his staff and the waters parted allowing the people to pass. You might also remember Moses receiving God's Commandments on the mountaintop. Surely Moses must have been a great man to experience those events. But what many people don't know is that Moses's life wasn't filled with only victorious moments. He too had his fair share of problems.
To introduce our lesson, let’s go to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque in Istanbul. Just in front of that mosque, in the area that used to be the hippodrome, is huge, granite Egyptian obelisk. Now you may be wondering what an Egyptian obelisk is doing in Istanbul. Well, sometime in the 4th century this obelisk was brought to the shores of Istanbul where it laid until 390 A.D. when Theodosius had it erected in the hippodrome. It was originally 30 meters tall but because two thirds of it was lost it now stands about 18 meters tall. It is also said to have been covered with gold.
On the upper part of the obelisk is the name of an Egyptian Pharaoh named Thutmose III. The next time you go to Istanbul if you look at the top-most picture that faces toward Hagia Sophia you will see a picture of Thutmose III grasping hands with the god Amun-Ra. Although archaeologists still don't agree, one prominent theory is that this Thutmose III and Moses were very well acquainted with one another. It may have been that Moses himself saw that obelisk when it was erected in Egypt. What was the relation between Moses and this Pharaoh?
Let’s go back in time and explore Egyptian history before the time of Joseph. Shortly after 2000 B.C. nomadic tribes, known as Hyksos or Shepherd Kings, came from Asia and took possession of Egypt. At first they were barbarous and destroyed many monuments, but in time they grew to favor the way of the Egyptians and adopted their culture. Some think that it was during the period of the Hyksos kings that Joseph ascended to such a high position in Egypt. The Hyksos people, themselves foreigners, most likely had no problem with putting Joseph, also a foreigner, in power over the Egyptians. But when the famine was great and the Egyptians sold their land and possessions to the Pharaoh for food, it may have created an animosity between the Hyksos rulers and the Egyptian citizens.
Eventually a local Egyptian prince in Thebes began to fight against the Hyksos. But it was his son Ahmose who finally expelled the Hyksos from Egypt. Ahmose's new dynasty was very nationalistic and became very successful in regaining international prominence and power. If the scenario we are talking about is right, it was probably one of the kings of the 18th dynasty that made the Israelites slaves. We can read about it in the scriptures starting in Exodus chapter one verses 5-11:
5 All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). 6 And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation. 7 But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, "Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 "come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land." 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses.
You remember that God gave a prophecy to Abraham in Genesis 15:13 that his descendents would be afflicted 400 years in a country that was not their own. That prophecy met its exact fulfillment. Eventually the Hebrews multiplied so much that Pharaoh ordered the male children of the Hebrews to be killed when they were born. It was at this time that the baby Moses was born. Let's pick up the story at the beginning of Exodus chapter 2:
1 And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. 2 So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. 5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children." 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?" 8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the maiden went and called the child's mother. 9 Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, "Because I drew him out of the water."
Now why would the daughter of a Pharaoh take a Hebrew slave for a son? It doesn’t make sense does it? Well maybe it would if she didn't have her own son! Let's review a little more Egyptian history to put the story in context.
Ahmose, in spite of his great victories over the Hyksos, was never able to produce a son and heir. But he did have a daughter who later married a commoner. This commoner became known as Thutmose I and heir apparent to the throne of Egypt. But after becoming king, he also couldn't produce a son. But he did have a daughter who was named Hatshepsut. As was common in those days, Thutmose I had a mistress and with her produced a son. So, Thutmose I gave his daughter Hatshepsut to be the wife of her half-brother. This half- brother took the name Thutmose II and assumed the throne when his father died.
Unfortunately, Thutmose II and Hatshepsut could only have daughters. But he did have an illegitimate son. When Thutmose II died, Hatshepsut became queen of Egypt and ruled successfully for some time. It is believed that Hatshepsut was the daughter who found Moses in the river.
Just like every ruler before her, Hatshepsut wanted her family to be in power. She thought that if she had an adopted son, he could marry one of her daughters and become the pharaoh of Egypt. But it wasn't to be; a subsequent revolution forced Hatshepsut to accept the illegitimate son of her half brother (and husband) as co ruler in the kingdom. This illegitimate son’s name became Thutmose III, the name written on the obelisk in Istanbul. Thutmose III’s coming to power ruined Hatshepsut’s plan for Moses and set him at great odds with the pharaoh. If Moses continued to live, Thutmose III would feel threatened.
So Moses and Thutmose III may have been very well acquainted with each other. Moses had grown up in the palace and was educated in war and politics. He would have had slaves attending him and people bowing at his feet. The most beautiful houses, clothing and jewels available would have surrounded him at that time. He would have walked in brightly painted temples that were the admiration of much of the world. At the same time he probably remembered being taught by his real mother, who he was, and where he came from. Perhaps Moses stood looking up at the sun gleaming off the golden cap on the 30-meter obelisk and thought, “I will not be Pharaoh of Egypt. Thutmose III has come to power and I can’t stop that. But my people are in slavery. Perhaps God has raised me to this point to help free them.” We don’t know what Moses was thinking but we do know what he did. Let's continue by reading verses 11-15:
11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, "Why are you striking your companion?" 14 Then he said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" So Moses feared and said, "Surely this thing is known!" 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses ed from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.
This is a disturbing beginning in the adult life of a prophet. Moses was a murderer and tried to hide what he did. But the pharaoh found out. Perhaps it was Thutmose III, the person whose name is on the obelisk in Istanbul that Moses ran from. But no matter whom the Pharaoh was, Moses committed a huge crime and had to run to save his life. What went through Moses's mind? Was he thinking that he ruined the opportunity to save his people? Did he only regret that his plan didn't work or did he consider that he had committed a great sin?
We hear so much about prophets being sinless. Where does it come from? Right here in God's Holy Word, we see that Moses, far from being sinless, committed a crime greater than the ones most of us have committed. Why would God select such a person to be a prophet?
Regardless of what we would like to think, the truth is that prophets can and do sin. In a previous lesson, we learned that Abraham on two separate occasions told a half-truth about Sarah. When asked, he said that she was his sister. We also read how Jacob deceived his brother to obtain the birthright. Now we see Moses is a murderer. It is perfectly clear that if God chose prophets based solely on merit all three of these men would not have been chosen. Can prophets sin? Yes! In spite of their sin, can God call a sinner to be a prophet? Amazingly that answer is also yes!
After fleeing from Egypt, Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before God called him to deliver the Israelites out of slavery. What happened during those 40 years? Quite simply, he took care of sheep, unlearned all the things that qualified him to be a prince of Egypt, and learned to be the kind of leader that God wanted him to be. He was transformed from a sinner into a humble, man of God. A man who would do as he was led!
Do you see a parallel in each of the three prophets that made huge mistakes: Abraham, Jacob and now Moses? All three of them tried to force God’s will through their own efforts and ended up only making huge mistakes. Abraham had a child by Hagar to try to make God’s promise of a son come true. Jacob through deceit secured the birthright that had already been promised to him by God in a prophecy to Isaac. And now, Moses in an attempt to deliver the children of Israel from Pharaoh committed murder. None of these were God’s will or plan. God doesn't want His servants to be impulsive opportunists. He wants them to be patient and willing to listen and follow.
Prophets are people who God uses to do great things. But sometimes God has to instruct and, yes, even discipline a prophet through difficulty. When these three prophets, Abraham, Jacob and Moses started out with their own ideas’ relying on their own talent, they failed. God could not use them in that condition. But did He abandon them? No, He did just the opposite. God took these erring men, taught them great lessons of life and faith, and made them into the men they needed to be. Some people put too much importance on a prophet. They almost make idols out of them. But we see that prophets are human and make mistakes. They are just ordinary people that God uses to do extraordinary things. Let's finish with the following illustration:
Gökhan was an honest accountant at a large manufacturing rm in Istanbul. One day it was discovered that he made a mistake that cost the company 20,000 lira. His boss called him into his office. As Gökhan made his way slowly to the bosses’ office, he was sure that he was going to be red. He began to think how he would feed his family. How could he find another job in accounting after making such a costly error?
The boss spoke privately to Gökhan. After awhile Gökhan returned to his desk.
One of the vice presidents went in to speak to the boss. “Didn't you re Gökhan, he is sitting at his desk working?” “No” the boss said, “I did not re him.”
“Why not” said the vice president, “He lost the company a lot of money.”
“Because” said the boss, “I could hire someone else who is just as likely to make the same mistake. But I now have an experienced employee who will never make that mistake again.”
Contrary to what we sometimes think, God doesn't call sinless, perfect men to be prophets. If that were so, there wouldn't be any prophets. No, God calls people who are helpless without Him. After killing a man, Moses was helpless and hopeless. If God can pick ordinary men and make them great through lessons of life and faith, can’t he also make us faithful men and women?
Discussion Questions
1. For Abraham, Jacob and Moses, there was a great time delay between the promise of God and the fulfillment of the promise.
What does that say to us about the way we view our lives?
2. Do you think that Moses ever thought to himself during those 40 years when he was watching sheep, “I blew it”? God cannot use
me to do great things. I had a chance and it is all over.” Have you ever thought to yourself, “God can't use me. I have made too many
mistakes. I am not good enough.”? Does this lesson about Moses encourage you?
3. Is there forgiveness with God, even for murder?
4. Do you understand that prophets are sinners just like everyone else?
When we think of prophets we think of people especially chosen by God because they served God and did what was right. We admire them because they were accepted by God and knew it. This makes them seem high, holy, and far above us. At least that is what we have often heard. Let’s consider for a moment Moses, one of the greatest prophets of all time.
If you have seen the "10 Commandments" then you are familiar with the story of the Red Sea. God told Moses to lift up his staff and the waters parted allowing the people to pass. You might also remember Moses receiving God's Commandments on the mountaintop. Surely Moses must have been a great man to experience those events. But what many people don't know is that Moses's life wasn't filled with only victorious moments. He too had his fair share of problems.
To introduce our lesson, let’s go to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque in Istanbul. Just in front of that mosque, in the area that used to be the hippodrome, is huge, granite Egyptian obelisk. Now you may be wondering what an Egyptian obelisk is doing in Istanbul. Well, sometime in the 4th century this obelisk was brought to the shores of Istanbul where it laid until 390 A.D. when Theodosius had it erected in the hippodrome. It was originally 30 meters tall but because two thirds of it was lost it now stands about 18 meters tall. It is also said to have been covered with gold.
On the upper part of the obelisk is the name of an Egyptian Pharaoh named Thutmose III. The next time you go to Istanbul if you look at the top-most picture that faces toward Hagia Sophia you will see a picture of Thutmose III grasping hands with the god Amun-Ra. Although archaeologists still don't agree, one prominent theory is that this Thutmose III and Moses were very well acquainted with one another. It may have been that Moses himself saw that obelisk when it was erected in Egypt. What was the relation between Moses and this Pharaoh?
Let’s go back in time and explore Egyptian history before the time of Joseph. Shortly after 2000 B.C. nomadic tribes, known as Hyksos or Shepherd Kings, came from Asia and took possession of Egypt. At first they were barbarous and destroyed many monuments, but in time they grew to favor the way of the Egyptians and adopted their culture. Some think that it was during the period of the Hyksos kings that Joseph ascended to such a high position in Egypt. The Hyksos people, themselves foreigners, most likely had no problem with putting Joseph, also a foreigner, in power over the Egyptians. But when the famine was great and the Egyptians sold their land and possessions to the Pharaoh for food, it may have created an animosity between the Hyksos rulers and the Egyptian citizens.
Eventually a local Egyptian prince in Thebes began to fight against the Hyksos. But it was his son Ahmose who finally expelled the Hyksos from Egypt. Ahmose's new dynasty was very nationalistic and became very successful in regaining international prominence and power. If the scenario we are talking about is right, it was probably one of the kings of the 18th dynasty that made the Israelites slaves. We can read about it in the scriptures starting in Exodus chapter one verses 5-11:
5 All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). 6 And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation. 7 But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, "Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 "come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land." 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses.
You remember that God gave a prophecy to Abraham in Genesis 15:13 that his descendents would be afflicted 400 years in a country that was not their own. That prophecy met its exact fulfillment. Eventually the Hebrews multiplied so much that Pharaoh ordered the male children of the Hebrews to be killed when they were born. It was at this time that the baby Moses was born. Let's pick up the story at the beginning of Exodus chapter 2:
1 And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. 2 So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. 5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children." 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?" 8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the maiden went and called the child's mother. 9 Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, "Because I drew him out of the water."
Now why would the daughter of a Pharaoh take a Hebrew slave for a son? It doesn’t make sense does it? Well maybe it would if she didn't have her own son! Let's review a little more Egyptian history to put the story in context.
Ahmose, in spite of his great victories over the Hyksos, was never able to produce a son and heir. But he did have a daughter who later married a commoner. This commoner became known as Thutmose I and heir apparent to the throne of Egypt. But after becoming king, he also couldn't produce a son. But he did have a daughter who was named Hatshepsut. As was common in those days, Thutmose I had a mistress and with her produced a son. So, Thutmose I gave his daughter Hatshepsut to be the wife of her half-brother. This half- brother took the name Thutmose II and assumed the throne when his father died.
Unfortunately, Thutmose II and Hatshepsut could only have daughters. But he did have an illegitimate son. When Thutmose II died, Hatshepsut became queen of Egypt and ruled successfully for some time. It is believed that Hatshepsut was the daughter who found Moses in the river.
Just like every ruler before her, Hatshepsut wanted her family to be in power. She thought that if she had an adopted son, he could marry one of her daughters and become the pharaoh of Egypt. But it wasn't to be; a subsequent revolution forced Hatshepsut to accept the illegitimate son of her half brother (and husband) as co ruler in the kingdom. This illegitimate son’s name became Thutmose III, the name written on the obelisk in Istanbul. Thutmose III’s coming to power ruined Hatshepsut’s plan for Moses and set him at great odds with the pharaoh. If Moses continued to live, Thutmose III would feel threatened.
So Moses and Thutmose III may have been very well acquainted with each other. Moses had grown up in the palace and was educated in war and politics. He would have had slaves attending him and people bowing at his feet. The most beautiful houses, clothing and jewels available would have surrounded him at that time. He would have walked in brightly painted temples that were the admiration of much of the world. At the same time he probably remembered being taught by his real mother, who he was, and where he came from. Perhaps Moses stood looking up at the sun gleaming off the golden cap on the 30-meter obelisk and thought, “I will not be Pharaoh of Egypt. Thutmose III has come to power and I can’t stop that. But my people are in slavery. Perhaps God has raised me to this point to help free them.” We don’t know what Moses was thinking but we do know what he did. Let's continue by reading verses 11-15:
11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, "Why are you striking your companion?" 14 Then he said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" So Moses feared and said, "Surely this thing is known!" 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses ed from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.
This is a disturbing beginning in the adult life of a prophet. Moses was a murderer and tried to hide what he did. But the pharaoh found out. Perhaps it was Thutmose III, the person whose name is on the obelisk in Istanbul that Moses ran from. But no matter whom the Pharaoh was, Moses committed a huge crime and had to run to save his life. What went through Moses's mind? Was he thinking that he ruined the opportunity to save his people? Did he only regret that his plan didn't work or did he consider that he had committed a great sin?
We hear so much about prophets being sinless. Where does it come from? Right here in God's Holy Word, we see that Moses, far from being sinless, committed a crime greater than the ones most of us have committed. Why would God select such a person to be a prophet?
Regardless of what we would like to think, the truth is that prophets can and do sin. In a previous lesson, we learned that Abraham on two separate occasions told a half-truth about Sarah. When asked, he said that she was his sister. We also read how Jacob deceived his brother to obtain the birthright. Now we see Moses is a murderer. It is perfectly clear that if God chose prophets based solely on merit all three of these men would not have been chosen. Can prophets sin? Yes! In spite of their sin, can God call a sinner to be a prophet? Amazingly that answer is also yes!
After fleeing from Egypt, Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before God called him to deliver the Israelites out of slavery. What happened during those 40 years? Quite simply, he took care of sheep, unlearned all the things that qualified him to be a prince of Egypt, and learned to be the kind of leader that God wanted him to be. He was transformed from a sinner into a humble, man of God. A man who would do as he was led!
Do you see a parallel in each of the three prophets that made huge mistakes: Abraham, Jacob and now Moses? All three of them tried to force God’s will through their own efforts and ended up only making huge mistakes. Abraham had a child by Hagar to try to make God’s promise of a son come true. Jacob through deceit secured the birthright that had already been promised to him by God in a prophecy to Isaac. And now, Moses in an attempt to deliver the children of Israel from Pharaoh committed murder. None of these were God’s will or plan. God doesn't want His servants to be impulsive opportunists. He wants them to be patient and willing to listen and follow.
Prophets are people who God uses to do great things. But sometimes God has to instruct and, yes, even discipline a prophet through difficulty. When these three prophets, Abraham, Jacob and Moses started out with their own ideas’ relying on their own talent, they failed. God could not use them in that condition. But did He abandon them? No, He did just the opposite. God took these erring men, taught them great lessons of life and faith, and made them into the men they needed to be. Some people put too much importance on a prophet. They almost make idols out of them. But we see that prophets are human and make mistakes. They are just ordinary people that God uses to do extraordinary things. Let's finish with the following illustration:
Gökhan was an honest accountant at a large manufacturing rm in Istanbul. One day it was discovered that he made a mistake that cost the company 20,000 lira. His boss called him into his office. As Gökhan made his way slowly to the bosses’ office, he was sure that he was going to be red. He began to think how he would feed his family. How could he find another job in accounting after making such a costly error?
The boss spoke privately to Gökhan. After awhile Gökhan returned to his desk.
One of the vice presidents went in to speak to the boss. “Didn't you re Gökhan, he is sitting at his desk working?” “No” the boss said, “I did not re him.”
“Why not” said the vice president, “He lost the company a lot of money.”
“Because” said the boss, “I could hire someone else who is just as likely to make the same mistake. But I now have an experienced employee who will never make that mistake again.”
Contrary to what we sometimes think, God doesn't call sinless, perfect men to be prophets. If that were so, there wouldn't be any prophets. No, God calls people who are helpless without Him. After killing a man, Moses was helpless and hopeless. If God can pick ordinary men and make them great through lessons of life and faith, can’t he also make us faithful men and women?
Discussion Questions
1. For Abraham, Jacob and Moses, there was a great time delay between the promise of God and the fulfillment of the promise.
What does that say to us about the way we view our lives?
2. Do you think that Moses ever thought to himself during those 40 years when he was watching sheep, “I blew it”? God cannot use
me to do great things. I had a chance and it is all over.” Have you ever thought to yourself, “God can't use me. I have made too many
mistakes. I am not good enough.”? Does this lesson about Moses encourage you?
3. Is there forgiveness with God, even for murder?
4. Do you understand that prophets are sinners just like everyone else?