1. Moses' Greatness - verses 11-12
Acts 7:22-25 gives us some important facts about Moses. At age forty he was a man of eloquence and action. According to Jewish tradition he was already a military hero in Egypt. Stephen tells us that he was learned in all the wisdom of Egypt, a nation of intellectual culture. Physically, mentally, and spiritually Moses was a great man. God used him to carry out a great work. Through God he delivered Israel, mediated the giving of the Old Covenant, and wrote the first five books of scripture. Note well, however, that before Moses accomplished anything he learned to be truly diffident. Faith in God not in self brings victory.

2. Moses' Choice - verses 11-12
Hebrews 11:24-27 explains the spiritual dynamic behind the actions of Moses. He was a man of faith in the God of Israel. Doubtless he learned from his parents the history of Israel. He certainly contemplated the promise God had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We also know from Acts 7:24-25 that the Lord had spoken to him concerning his work as Israel’s deliverer. Thus Moses chose to turn his back on Egypt and to identify with the people of God. Notice some aspects of Moses' choice:
A. His Choice was made in intellectual maturity (Hebrews 11:24). Young people easily make decisions, the consequences of which, they do not fully understand. Such zeal seldom perseveres. Moses, on the other hand, had fully counted the cost. He knew what he was giving up and what he was gaining (Hebrews 11:25-26). May we, like our Lord always inform would-be disciples of the real cost of discipleship (Matthew 10:16-39, Luke 9:57-62).
B. Moses made his choice at a time when being an Israelite was not the way to honor or ease (Hebrews 11:25). Many choose for God when it seems the popular thing to do. Many of these later turn back.
C. Moses acted purely upon the basis of faith in God (Hebrews 11:24-29). Human reason would never have dictated such a path.

3. Complications - verses 11-15
A. Some Bible students applaud Moses' actions here, while others believe he acted in sinful haste. They accuse him of running before he was sent and thus causing these problems. How are we to view these events? The narrative is very brief and doubtless many details are omitted that would help us in understanding Moses' actions.
B. Really there is no difficulty. The Bible describes Moses' behavior as being motivated by faith (Hebrews 11:24-27). Why would men condemn what scripture applauds. One wonders how men feel qualified to make such judgments on a man like Moses who towers above them in true greatness.
Doubtless Moses was profoundly disappointed in Israel's lack of understanding as to his mission (Acts 7:25). The rebuff of verse 14 revealed to him the greatness of the task. Not only Egypt but Israel herself was an obstacle to the work. In later years Moses probably felt that God's people gave him more problems than Pharaoh did.
C. These events ended with Moses fleeing for his life (verse 15). This was not failure but simply another step in God's plan. Moses had made his choice, yet he needed better preparation. In Egypt he was educated and became confident and able. In the desert he would learn humility and that God uses not the confident but the trusting (II Corinthians 12:9). Why would we blame Moses for not being as mature at forty as at eighty. He once was young and then he grew. God's plan was carried out in God's time. May God help us to do so as well.

4. Comments on Moses' Character - verses 11-15
This part of the narrative reveals several things about Moses' character that will appear again and again.
A. He was a man of great faith. He saw the invisible (Hebrews 11:27). The greatest civilization on earth was not as real to him as the promises of God.
B. Moses was a man with a keen sense of justice. He could not stand by as people were mistreated.
C. Moses was always impelled to action by a sense of duty. The call of duty, not the call of gain, fame or ease was the North Star of Moses' life.

5. A Sojourn In Midian - verses 15-22
A. Further Heroic Actions (verses 16-19).
This scene further confirms our view of Moses' character. He loved justice. Duties call brought him to the aid of those mistreated. Also he appears to have been a man with a kind and helpful spirit. Again we see that Moses was characterized by courage and physical strength. No doubt he was trained in war. Both strength and gentleness of character was combined in him.
B. Moses' Father In Law
Reuel (friend of God) is called the priest of Midian (verse 16). Some think that like Melchizedek he was a worshipper of the true God. Others believe that only later did he learn the truth of monotheism (Exodus 18:10-12). We do not have all the facts but the Bible always seems to present him in a positive light. Moses probably would not have lived in a home where false gods were worshipped. Certainly Revel did not possess the degree of knowledge that Moses possessed.
C. Marriage (verses 21-22)
While in Midian Moses was married to Zipporah the daughter of Reuel. We know little about this woman. The evidence would seem to indicate that the home thus established was a happy one. She never seems to have been a help to Moses in his service to God. In fact there are indications that she proved a great hindrance and grief to him. Perhaps God used this to make Moses a man of greater meekness. The Lord knows how to put unpleasant circumstances to good use.

6. God Remembers - verses 23-25
A. As time proceeds and burdens increase Israel begins to cry out to God. Not only were the extra forty years needed for Moses to grow but also for Israel to ripen in their resolve to flee bondage. God's plan includes the timing of all details.
B. In hearing Israel's prayer God remembered His promises to the patriarchs. Such language is anthropomorphic. God never forgets. He is said to remember His people when the time comes for Him to act in their behalf.
C. As Christians we rejoice that God never forgets His chosen ones. According to His covenant engagements He redeems, preserves, calls and keeps each one.