When Moses first approached Israel as their deliverer at age 40, was God directing him?
No. At that first attempt at age 40, God was not specifically in it and gave no instruction. Moses moved by faith, relying on his own position and power in Egypt, assuming his brethren would understand that God would use him to deliver Israel.
Les explains that Acts 7 supplies details Genesis omits, including Moses' life in three 40-year segments. At age 40, Moses first approached Israel as deliverer, but God was not specifically in it and did not instruct him. Moses, educated in all Egyptian wisdom, mighty in word and deed, and second in Egypt, acted by faith, using his own position and power. He supposed his brethren would understand that God would deliver them by his hand, but they understood not. Les sees a parallel to Christ's first coming: He presented Himself as Messiah and King, yet few comprehended.
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
More Questions
How old was Moses when he first tried to deliver Israel?
Moses was 40 years old when he first approached the children of Israel as their deliverer.
Why did Moses go to the children of Israel when he was 40?
Moses made this deliverance approach because by faith he understood that Israel had to be taken out of Egypt, and he used his own position and power to do it.
What are the three 40-year stages of Moses' life according to Acts 7?
Acts 7 divides Moses' life into three 40-year periods: 40 years in Pharaoh's palace, 40 years in the desert herding sheep, and 40 years leading Israel—a breakdown not found in the Old Testament.
What happened when Moses was 40 years old according to Acts 7:23?
Acts 7:23 says that when Moses was a full 40 years old, it came into his heart to visit the children of Israel.