What do you think of when you think about Moses? Some common thoughts may be …
- He led the Israelites out of Egypt.
- He parted the Red Sea.
- He wrote the first five books of the Bible.
- The Lord gave him the Ten Commandments.
Yes, we remember Moses for the great things he accomplished in his life. Moses is recognized as a man of great faith (Hebrews 11:23-29).
Moses’ testimony is so powerful, especially when you know all of it. That’s why it is so important to study the Word of God.
Before his birth, the enemy wanted to take his life. Moses was born a Hebrew slave in Egypt. The Pharaoh ordered the midwives to throw all male Hebrew babies into the Nile River to die. He did not want to Hebrews rising up against him and take over Egypt.
But the midwives did not throw Moses into the Nile River. And Moses’ mother hid him for three months. By an act of faith and trusting in the Lord, she placed Moses in a basket in the crocodile invested Nile.
The daughter of Pharaoh happened to be bathing in the river when her attendant found the basket, and she summoned a woman to nurse the baby. Guess who got to nurse him? His mother!
So Pharaoh’s daughter adopted Moses and Moses’ birth mother became his nurse. Amazing!
Though Moses was raised as an Egyptian prince, he grieved over the way his own people were treated by the Egyptians. Indignation rose up in him.
But then, “after looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand” (Exodus 2:12 NLT).
What?!? In our present-day terms that would be considered premeditated murder.
After hiding the body, Moses thought he got away with murder. But the next day, a Hebrew man confronted Moses about it.
Secrets are not really secret. News like that traveled fast. And it spread like wildfire throughout Egypt even without cell phones, text messages, and email.
Once Moses knew there was a witness, paranoia came over him. Word reached his grandfather, the king of Egypt, and Pharaoh wanted to put Moses to death.
So Moses fled, becoming a fugitive.
Imagine it … in today’s times he would have been featured on America’s Most Wanted. I wonder if they had a sketch artist draw his face on papyrus and if they plastered his photo around Egypt?
Moses cast off his prince identity and became a shepherd in Midian where married and started his family. I imagine he wanted to just put his past behind him.
But God! The Lord called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and this one wrong act did not disqualify him from fulfilling his God-ordained purpose.
Moses went from being a prince, to a murderer, to a fugitive, to a leader of a nation. And the best part is that the Lord spoke “to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11).
Moses is recognized for the all of the good things he did AFTER the infraction that took place on that one day. I have heard many references to Moses, but I have not ever heard anyone call him a murderer.
When I received the revelation of this truth, hope for my incarcerated son’s future filled my heart.
Regardless of an offense, the Lord changes people’s lives and uses them for HIS glory. To God be all the glory,
With Him, we all have hope that our lives will be recognized for all the GOOD that follows an infraction.
There’s hope for our future!
In Appeal to the Courtroom of Heaven, I share other biblical examples of people who committed serious offenses, but they are recognized for the good that followed.
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Plead Your Case in the Courtroom of Heaven
With the slam of the gavel, the hopes and dreams for your future shatter. With a judgment rendered, you or a loved one now serve time in prison. Will another court hear your pleas?
In despair over her son’s future, Shonda Whitworth petitioned the Lord on his behalf and searched the Scriptures. Finding how the Lord redeems the worst offenders, she learned how to appeal to the heavenly court and receive hope from God for her son’s future.
In Appeal to the Courtroom of Heaven, Shonda shares how she went from deferred hope to a hope-filled life. This book will help you:
- Identify biblical heroes who were lawbreakers
- Understand the prosecutor’s strategy
- Make effective appeals on behalf of yourself and your loved ones
Hope will be restored as you confidently plead your case to the courtroom of heaven!
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Available at…
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or your favorite retailer.
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About the author:
Shonda Whitworth writes, teaches, and speaks at conferences and retreats to share the hope of healing and restoration we have in Jesus. After her son landed in state prison, she realized the hardships families of prisoners encounter. She and her husband, Eldon, founded Fortress of Hope Ministries, a nonprofit organization that offers hope to families affected by incarceration. Shonda transparently shares her testimony of living with a son in prison at ShondaWhitworth.com and FortressofHopeMinistries.com.
