Exodus 2:15 – “When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
Exodus 2:15 captures the moment when Moses, after killing an Egyptian and realizing his deed was known, faces the wrath of Pharaoh. This verse reveals the immediate consequences of Moses’ actions—Pharaoh seeks to kill him, forcing Moses to flee for his life. In his flight, Moses escapes to Midian, a region far from the reach of Egyptian power. There, he finds himself sitting by a well, a place that would become the setting for a new chapter in his life. This verse marks a significant transition in Moses’ life, from a prince in Egypt to a fugitive in a foreign land, setting the stage for his eventual calling by God.
Historical Context
The historical backdrop of Exodus 2:15 is the ancient Egyptian empire, where the Israelites lived as slaves. Moses, although born a Hebrew, was raised in Pharaoh’s palace, enjoying the privileges of Egyptian royalty. His life took a dramatic turn when he intervened in the oppression of his fellow Hebrews, leading to the death of an Egyptian. When Pharaoh learned of this, he sought to execute Moses, likely viewing him as a traitor and a threat to his authority. Fleeing to Midian, a region east of Egypt, Moses enters a new cultural and geographical context. Midian was inhabited by a Semitic people, descendants of Abraham through his wife Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2), which provided Moses with a connection to his own ancestral roots, albeit through a distant line.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Exodus 2:15 illustrates God’s providence and the beginning of Moses’ transformation. While Moses’ actions in Egypt were rash and driven by his own sense of justice, his flight to Midian was part of God’s larger plan to prepare him for his true calling. This verse highlights the idea that God can use even our failures and the consequences of our actions to guide us toward His purposes. Moses’ escape to Midian is not just an act of survival; it is a step in the process of God shaping him into the leader who would deliver Israel from bondage. This verse also reflects the theme of exile and return, a pattern seen throughout the Bible, where God often uses periods of separation and isolation to refine and prepare His chosen servants.
Literary Analysis
Literarily, Exodus 2:15 serves as a turning point in the narrative of Moses’ life. The verse is concise but packed with significant events: Pharaoh’s lethal intent, Moses’ flight, and his arrival in Midian. The mention of Moses sitting by a well is symbolic in biblical literature, where wells often represent places of encounter and transformation (as seen in the stories of Hagar in Genesis 16, and later, Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4). This detail foreshadows that Moses’ time in Midian will not be a mere escape but a period of significant personal and spiritual development.
Biblical Cross-References
- Genesis 16:7: The story of Hagar fleeing to a well in the wilderness is a parallel to Moses’ flight to Midian, showing how God often meets people in moments of desperation and exile.
- Acts 7:29-30: Stephen recounts Moses’ flight to Midian and his 40-year sojourn there, emphasizing that this period was a time of preparation before God called him to lead Israel.
- Hebrews 11:27: This verse reflects on Moses’ faith in leaving Egypt, “not fearing the king’s anger,” which shows his trust in God’s plan despite the immediate danger.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Exodus 2:15 is a reminder that God can work through our mistakes and failures to bring about His purposes. Moses’ flight to Midian, while a response to a life-threatening situation, was also a divine redirection. This verse encourages believers to trust that even when life takes unexpected or difficult turns, God is at work in the midst of those challenges. It also speaks to the importance of seasons of preparation and waiting in the Christian life—times when God is shaping us for the tasks He has prepared for us.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse reflects God’s loving care and protection over Moses, even as he flees for his life. Despite Moses’ earlier impulsive actions, God does not abandon him. Instead, He provides a place of refuge in Midian, where Moses would find safety and eventually meet his wife and start a family. This act of divine provision shows God’s patience and His commitment to working through flawed individuals to fulfill His redemptive plans. It also demonstrates God’s love in guiding Moses toward the purpose for which he was born, even when it required a season of hardship and exile.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Moses’ flight to Midian can be seen as a precursor to Jesus’ own experience of fleeing to Egypt as a child to escape King Herod’s wrath (Matthew 2:13-15). Both Moses and Jesus faced threats to their lives from ruling authorities, and both experienced a period of exile before stepping into their roles as deliverers. However, while Moses fled out of fear for his life, Jesus’ journey to Egypt was part of a divine plan to fulfill prophecy. Ultimately, Jesus, like Moses, would return to lead His people—Jesus leading them out of the bondage of sin and into the freedom of eternal life.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does Moses’ flight to Midian challenge us to see difficult or unexpected events as part of God’s greater plan?
- What can we learn from Moses’ experience about the importance of preparation and patience in fulfilling God’s calling?
- In what ways have you seen God use challenging circumstances in your life to bring about growth or new direction?
- How does Moses’ time in Midian help us understand the ways in which Jesus’ life and ministry were also shaped by times of exile and return?