Acts 7:29 – “When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.”

Extended Explanation

This verse describes the immediate consequence of Moses’ rejection by his fellow Israelites. After one of them exposed his killing of an Egyptian (Acts 7:28), Moses realized that his secret was out and that Pharaoh would likely seek to punish him. So, he fled Egypt and settled in the land of Midian.

Instead of leading Israel to freedom as he had hoped, Moses found himself an exile, living as a foreigner in a strange land. He spent the next 40 years in Midian, working as a shepherd and starting a family. He had two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exodus 2:22, 18:4), and lived far away from the life he once knew in Egypt.

This was not how Moses thought his story would go. He had acted in zeal, trying to save his people, but now he was living in obscurity. However, this time of exile was not wasted—God was using it to prepare Moses for his true calling.

Historical Context

• Moses was 40 years old when he fled Egypt. He had lived his whole life in Pharaoh’s palace, but now he was forced to leave everything behind.
• Midian was a desert region east of Egypt, where the Midianites lived. They were descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). Moses was taken in by Jethro (also called Reuel), a Midianite priest.
• He married Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah, and had two sons. Gershom’s name means “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land” (Exodus 2:22), showing Moses’ sense of exile and displacement.
• He lived in Midian for 40 years. During this time, God humbled and prepared him for the mission he had originally attempted in his own strength.

Stephen’s audience would have understood that Moses’ exile was part of God’s plan. Just as Israel rejected him at first, they were now rejecting Jesus—but God’s purpose would still be fulfilled.

Theological Implications

1. God often works through exile and waiting. Moses needed time to mature before he was ready to lead Israel. Sometimes, God uses waiting seasons to prepare us for our calling.
2. Failure is not the end of God’s plan. Moses’ attempt to deliver Israel had failed, but God was not finished with him. Many people experience failure and think they are useless to God—but God can redeem our failures for His glory.
3. God’s leaders must be shaped by humility. Moses went from being a prince in Egypt to a shepherd in the wilderness. God often humbles His servants before using them in great ways.
4. God uses unexpected places to shape His people. Moses had to go to Midian to be prepared for his calling. Likewise, God sometimes takes us to unexpected places in life to teach us things we wouldn’t learn otherwise.

Stephen is making a deeper point: Moses had to be rejected before he could become Israel’s deliverer—just as Jesus had to be rejected before He could accomplish salvation.

Literary Analysis

This verse highlights a common biblical theme of exile before calling:

• Joseph was sold into slavery → Later became Egypt’s ruler and saved his family.
• Moses was exiled to Midian → Later returned to lead Israel out of slavery.
• David was on the run from Saul → Later became king of Israel.
• Jesus was rejected and crucified → Later rose from the dead to bring salvation.

Stephen is pointing out that God’s chosen leaders often go through rejection and waiting before fulfilling their mission.

Biblical Cross-References

• Exodus 2:15-22 – The original account of Moses fleeing to Midian, marrying Zipporah, and having two sons.
• Exodus 3:1-12 – After 40 years in Midian, God calls Moses through the burning bush.
• Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
• Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s ways are higher than ours; sometimes delays are part of His plan.
• Galatians 4:4 – Jesus came at the right time; God’s plans are always perfectly timed.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse teaches several important lessons for believers today:

• Waiting on God is part of spiritual growth. Just as Moses needed time in Midian, we often go through seasons of waiting before stepping into what God has called us to do.
• God uses failure to shape us. Moses’ attempt to deliver Israel on his own strength failed, but God later used him in a greater way.
• God’s plans unfold in His perfect timing. Moses thought he was ready at 40, but God didn’t call him until he was 80. If we feel like God is delaying, we must trust that His timing is best.
• God is preparing you even when you don’t see it. Moses didn’t know that his time in Midian was training for leadership, but God was using it to make him into the leader Israel needed.

For us today, this verse is a reminder to trust God’s process, even when we don’t understand it.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is evident in this verse in several ways:

1. He did not abandon Moses, even after failure. Even though Moses fled, God still had a plan for him.
2. He provided for Moses in the wilderness. Moses found a home, a wife, and a family in Midian. God takes care of His people, even in times of waiting.
3. He patiently prepared Moses for his true calling. God didn’t rush the process—He took 40 years to shape Moses into the leader he needed to be.

This shows that God’s love is patient and purposeful—He works in our lives even when we feel lost.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Moses’ time in exile foreshadows Jesus in several ways:

1. Both were rejected before fulfilling their mission.
   • Moses fled to Midian before returning as Israel’s leader.
   • Jesus was rejected and crucified before rising to bring salvation.
2. Both went through a period of preparation.
   • Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before leading Israel.
   • Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:1-2).
3. Both later returned to complete their mission.
   • Moses came back to Egypt to lead Israel to freedom.
   • Jesus rose from the dead and will return to establish His kingdom.

Stephen is making a strong case: Just as Moses had to go through exile before delivering Israel, Jesus had to suffer rejection before bringing salvation.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever experienced a season of waiting or exile in your life? How did God use that time?
2. Moses thought he was ready to lead at 40, but God made him wait. What does this teach us about trusting God’s timing?
3. How does this verse encourage you if you’ve ever felt like a failure?
4. The Israelites rejected Moses before accepting him. How does this pattern help us understand why many rejected Jesus?
5. What lessons can we learn from Moses’ time in Midian about humility and dependence on God?

This verse reminds us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels like a delay. Just as Moses needed time in Midian before leading Israel, God often prepares us in unexpected ways. And just as Moses returned to complete his mission, Jesus will return as the true Deliverer. The question is: Are we willing to trust God’s plan, even when we don’t understand it?