11 Now it came about in those days , when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors ; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew , one of his brethren . 12 So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand . 13 He went out the next day , and behold , two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender , "Why are you striking your companion ?" 14 But he said , " Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian ?" Then Moses was afraid and said , "Surely the matter has become known ." 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter , he tried to kill Moses . But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian , and he sat down by a well .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 2:11-15
Commentary on Exodus 2:11-15
(Read Exodus 2:11-15)
Moses boldly owned the cause of God's people. It is plain from Hebrews 11. that this was done in faith, with the full purpose of leaving the honours, wealth, and pleasures of his rank among the Egyptians. By the grace of God he was a partaker of faith in Christ, which overcomes the world. He was willing, not only to risk all, but to suffer for his sake; being assured that Israel were the people of God. By special warrant from Heaven, which makes no rule for other cases, Moses slew an Egyptian, and rescued an oppressed Israelites. Also, he tried to end a dispute between two Hebrews. The reproof Moses gave, may still be of use. May we not apply it to disputants, who, by their fierce debates, divide and weaken the Christian church? They forget that they are brethren. He that did wrong quarreled with Moses. It is a sign of guilt to be angry at reproof. Men know not what they do, nor what enemies they are to themselves, when they resist and despise faithful reproofs and reprovers. Moses might have said, if this be the spirit of the Hebrews, I will go to court again, and be the son of Pharaoh's daughter. But we must take heed of being set against the ways and people of God, by the follies and peevishness of some persons that profess religion. Moses was obliged to flee into the land of Midian. God ordered this for wise and holy ends.