How Did Moses Choose the Hebrews Over the Egyptians Despite His Egyptian Upbringing?

Direct Answer

Moses chose the Hebrews because his inward identity as a Hebrew and his faith in God's promises outweighed his Egyptian training.

Acts 7 shows that Moses was nourished in his father's house for three months and then raised in Pharaoh's palace. Yet by faith Moses understood that the enslaved Hebrews were his own kinfolk and that God's promises guaranteed their return to Canaan. Les Feldick stresses that even after 35 years as an Egyptian prince, Moses remained a Hebrew on the inside and acted on that faith.

Key Scriptures

Acts 7:22 — This verse sets up the tension: Moses was thoroughly trained in Egypt, making his later choice of the Hebrews all the more meaningful.

Acts 7:23 — This verse records the moment Moses deliberately went to visit the children of Israel, showing his internal choice.

What Does the Bible Say?

Acts 7:20-21 says that Moses was 'exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months' and that when he was 'cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.' Acts 7:22 adds that 'Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.' Then Acts 7:23 records, 'And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.' He did not stay aloof; verse 25 shows he expected them to understand that 'God by his hand would deliver them.'

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Moses' Choice?

Les Feldick points out that Moses had every human advantage—he was raised in Pharaoh's palace and was the second most powerful man in Egypt. Yet inside, Moses remained a Hebrew. Les explains that by faith Moses realized the Hebrews were his kinfolk and that, according to God's promises, they would one day leave Egypt and return to Canaan. This faith, Les says, was also present in Moses' parents, who hid him because they saw God's hand on him.

What Did Moses' Egyptian Upbringing Look Like?

Scripture says Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and deeds (Acts 7:22). Les Feldick adds that Moses had been raised in Pharaoh's palace for thirty-five years, so when other people saw him they called him an Egyptian. Yet Les's point is that this was his outward environment, not the core of his identity.

Why Did Moses First Attempt to Rescue Israel Fail?

Acts 7:23 says that at age forty it came into his heart to visit his brethren. Les points out that Moses went by faith and used his position and power, but God had not specifically instructed him yet. He expected Israel to understand that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not (Acts 7:25).

What Role Did Moses' Parents' Faith Play?

Les highlights Acts 7:20-21 and Hebrews 11:23, noting that Moses' parents hid him for three months and took special steps to save the child because they understood by faith that God was going to use him. They saw through spiritual eyes, believing that God would fulfill what He had promised.

From the Teaching

Moses, the Ark, and the Second Coming: Unlocking the Prophetic Pattern

Acts chapter 7. We just have to use the Scripture for all of these things, because I think over the years I've tried to make it so plain. I don't want anyone to try to remember what I think. Once in a while I'll put it that way, hey, this is my idea, I'm just projecting, but most of the time I want people to see what the book says, because what man says or thinks doesn't amount to anything.

Moses' Parents Acted in Faith

Les shows from Acts 7 that Moses' parents, by faith, recognized he was special in God's service and took special steps to save his life before he was taken by Pharaoh's daughter.

Moses Remained a Hebrew Inside

Les explains that after 35 years in Pharaoh's palace, Moses still looked like an Egyptian to outsiders, but inside he was a Hebrew—this is the foundation of his later choice.

Is God Done With Israel? What the Bible Really Says - Romans 9 Explained

Then about 500 years later, He calls out Moses. Israel is now down in Egypt, they're multiplying, and He calls out the man Moses and He says, I'm going to send you in to Pharaoh, and you're going to lead My people, who had come now from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the 12 sons, you're going to lead My people out of Egypt, you're going to bring them to Myself, and I'm going to start working with th…

Parents Hid Moses by Faith

Les applies Hebrews 11:23 to Moses' parents, saying their faith in God's promise, not physical sight, led them to hide him as an infant.

Moses' First Act of Identification

Les teaches that when Moses was forty, his heart turned to visit his Hebrew brethren, and he attempted to deliver them by faith, even though God had not yet specifically sent him.

By Faith Moses Saw His Kinfolk

Les says Moses recognized by faith that the enslaved Hebrews were his kinfolk and that God's promises meant they would leave Egypt and return to Canaan.

Faith Was Alive Among the Hebrews

Les notes that some of the people, including Moses' parents and Joseph, knew by faith that God would keep His covenant promises, which explains the expectation of leaving Egypt.

Bible Verses

Acts 7:20: In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

Shows Moses' earliest days were spent with his Hebrew parents before he entered Pharaoh's household.

Acts 7:21: And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

Explains how Moses came to be raised in Egypt's royal household.

Acts 7:22: And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

Confirms Moses had a thorough Egyptian upbringing, which makes his later choice of the Hebrews significant.

Acts 7:23: And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Directly describes Moses' choice to go to his Hebrew kin.

Acts 7:25: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

Shows that Moses expected Israel to recognize his role as deliverer.

Hebrews 11:23: By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

Supports Les's teaching that Moses' parents acted by faith in preserving his life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Moses choose the Hebrews even though he grew up as an Egyptian prince?

Les Feldick explains that Moses was raised in Pharaoh's palace for about thirty-five years, but he remained a Hebrew on the inside. By faith he recognized the enslaved Israelites as his kinfolk and believed God's promises that they would return to Canaan.

Was God directing Moses the first time he went out to defend the Hebrews?

According to Les, when Moses was forty years old he went to visit his brethren and attempted to deliver them using his own position and power. God had not specifically instructed him at that point, and the people did not understand that God would use him.

What does Acts 7 reveal about Moses' upbringing that Exodus does not?

Acts 7 reveals that Moses was nourished in his father's house for three months before being taken by Pharaoh's daughter, and that he was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Les uses these details to show that Moses' parents had faith and that Moses had a full Egyptian education.

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Watch the Teaching: Moses, the Ark, and the Second Coming: Unlocking the Prophetic Pattern