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the training and education of the future leader of His people。
The elders of Israel were taught by angels that the time for their
deliverance was near； and that Moses was the man whom God would employ to
accomplish this work。 Angels instructed Moses also that Jehovah had chosen
him to break the bondage of His people。 He； supposing that they were to
obtain their freedom by force of arms； expected to lead the Hebrew host
against the armies of Egypt； and having this in view； he guarded his
affections； lest in his attachment to his foster mother or to Pharaoh he
would not be free to do the will of God。
By the laws of Egypt all who occupied the throne of the Pharaohs must become
members of the priestly caste； and Moses； as the heir apparent； was to be
initiated into the mysteries of the national religion。 This duty was
committed to the priests。 But while he was an ardent and untiring student；
he could not be induced to participate in the worship of the gods。 He was
threatened with the loss of the crown； and warned that he would be disowned
by the princess should he persist in his adherence to the Hebrew faith。 But
he was unshaken in his determination to render homage to none save the one
God； the Maker of heaven and earth。 He reasoned with priests and worshipers；
showing the folly of their superstitious veneration of senseless objects。
None could refute his arguments or change his purpose； yet for the time his
firmness was tolerated on account of his high position and the favor with
which he was regarded by both the king and the people。
〃By faith Moses； when he was come to years； refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh's daughter； choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of
God； than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season； esteeming the reproach
of Christ greater riches
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than the treasures in Egypt： for he had respect unto the recompense of the
reward。〃 Hebrews 11：24…26。 Moses was fitted to take pre…eminence among the
great of the earth； to shine in the courts of its most glorious kingdom； and
to sway the scepter of its power。 His intellectual greatness distinguishes
him above the great men of all ages。 As historian； poet； philosopher；
general of armies； and legislator； he stands without a peer。 Yet with the
world before him； he had the moral strength to refuse the flattering
prospects of wealth and greatness and fame； 〃choosing rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God； than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season。〃
Moses had been instructed in regard to the final reward to be given to the
humble and obedient servants of God； and worldly gain sank to its proper
insignificance in comparison。 The magnificent palace of Pharaoh and the
monarch's throne were held out as an inducement to Moses； but he knew that
the sinful pleasures that make men forget God were in its lordly courts。 He
looked beyond the gorgeous palace； beyond a monarch's crown； to the high
honors that will be bestowed on the saints of the Most High in a kingdom
untainted by sin。 He saw by faith an imperishable crown that the King of
heaven would place on the brow of the overcomer。 This faith led him to turn
away from the lordly ones of earth and join the humble； poor； despised
nation that had chosen to obey God rather than to serve sin。
Moses remained at court until he was forty years of age。 His thoughts often
turned upon the abject condition of his people； and he visited his brethren
in their servitude； and encouraged them with the assurance that God would
work for their deliverance。 Often； stung to resentment by the sight of
injustice and oppression； he burned to avenge their wrongs。 One day； while
thus abroad； seeing an Egyptian smiting an Israelite； he sprang forward and
slew the Egyptian。 Except the Israelite； there had been no witness to the
deed； and Moses immediately buried the body in the sand。 He had now shown
himself ready to maintain the cause of his people； and he hoped to see them
rise to recover their liberty。 〃He supposed his brethren would have
understood how that God by his hand would deliver them； but they understood
not。〃 Acts 7：25。 They were not yet prepared for freedom。 On the following
day Moses saw two Hebrews striving together；
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one of them evidently at fault。 Moses reproved the offender； who at once
retaliated upon the reprover； denying his right to interfere； and basely
accusing him of crime： 〃Who made thee a prince and a judge over us？〃 he
said。 〃Intendest thou to kill me； as thou killedst the Egyptian？〃
The whole matter was quickly made known to the Egyptians； and； greatly
exaggerated； soon reached the ears of Pharaoh。 It was represented to the
king that this act meant much； that Moses designed to lead his people
against the Egyptians； to overthrow the government； and to seat himself upon
the throne； and that there could be no security for the kingdom while he
lived。 It was at once determined by the monarch that he should die； but；
becoming aware of his danger； he made his escape and fled toward Arabia。
The Lord directed his course； and he found a home with Jethro； the priest
and prince of Midian； who was also a worshiper of God。 After a time Moses
married one of the daughters of Jethro； and here； in the service of his
father…in…law； as keeper of his flocks； he remained forty years。
In slaying the Egyptian； Moses had fallen into the same error so often
committed by his fathers； of taking into their own hands the work that God
had promised to do。 It was not God's will to deliver His people by warfare；
as Moses thought； but by His own mighty power； that the glory might be
ascribed to Him alone。 Yet even this rash act was overruled by God to
accomplish His purposes。 Moses was not prepared for his great work。 He had
yet to learn the same lesson of faith that Abraham and Jacob had been
taughtnot to rely upon human strength or wisdom； but upon the power of God
for the fulfillment of His promises。 And there were other lessons that； amid
the solitude of the mountains； Moses was to receive。 In the school of
self…denial and hardship he was to learn patience； to temper his passions。
Before he could govern wisely； he must be trained to obey。 His own heart
must be fully in harmony with God before he could teach the knowledge of His
will to Israel。 By his own experience he must be prepared to exercise a
fatherly care over all who needed his help。
Man would have dispensed with that long period of toil and obscurity；
deeming it a great loss of time。 But Infinite Wisdom called him who was to
become the leader of his people to spend
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forty years in the humble work of a shepherd。 The habits of caretaking； of
self…forgetfulness and tender solicitude for his flock； thus developed；
would prepare him to become the compassionate； longsuffering shepherd of
Israel。 No advantage that human training or culture could bestow； could be a
substitute for this experience。
Moses had been learning much that he must unlearn。 The influences that had
surrounded him in Egyptthe love of his foster mother； his own high
position as the king's grand