Yes—Moses' first attempt failed because he moved ahead of God's timetable, relied on his Egyptian position and power, and Israel did not recognize him as God's deliverer.
At age forty Moses was the second most powerful man in Egypt and had all the wisdom and polish of the world at his disposal. Yet Les teaches that God was not in that first attempt, and God cannot use someone who is self-prepared or prepared by the world. Moses supposed his brethren would understand, but they understood not, so he had to wait forty years on the backside of the desert before God sent him back to Egypt.
Acts 7:25 — This verse directly gives the biblical reason for the failure: Moses expected his brethren to understand that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.
Exodus 2:14 — This shows Israel's rejection of Moses as their prince and judge, the immediate reason his first intervention collapsed.
In Acts 7, Stephen reminds the nation of Israel that Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and mighty in words and in deeds. When he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him and smote the Egyptian. The scripture then records: "For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not." In Exodus 2, after Moses tried to intervene between two Hebrews, one of them rejected him, saying: "Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian?" Thus the biblical record shows both Moses' expectation and Israel's refusal to accept him.
Les emphasizes that Moses was the second greatest man in Egypt—just under Pharaoh—and he had the power, clout, polish, charisma, and all the wisdom of Egypt at his disposal. Moses thought he could lead the children of Israel out of bondage, but he did not take into consideration that Israel would not buy it. Les also teaches that Moses was a little ahead of God's timetable. God was not in that first effort, and God cannot use someone who is self-prepared or prepared by the world. God had to send Moses to the backside of the desert to herd sheep for forty years, and only then, as a lowly shepherd, could God say, "Moses, I want to send you back to Egypt."
Yes. Les notes that Moses was "a little ahead of God's timetable" when he went out to the children of Israel. He thought his brethren would understand that he was to be their deliverer, but they understood not. Only after forty years in the desert did God speak to Moses out of the burning bush and tell him the time had come to deliver the children of Israel.
Les explains that God could not use Moses while Moses was self-prepared and backed by the world's power. Even though Moses had power, polish, charisma, and the pomp of Pharaoh behind him, "God wasn't in that." God sent him to the backside of the desert for forty years so that as a lowly shepherd—perhaps even smelly—God could send him back to Egypt.
Scripture says Moses supposed his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they understood not. One of the Hebrews challenged him with, "Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?" Les adds that Moses did not take into consideration that Israel would not buy it, and that they didn't recognize him as the one through whom God would bring deliverance.
Why Israel Rejected Moses — And Then Rejected Christ
Scriptural answer. All right. For those of you now in the studio, let's go right back to Acts chapter 7 where we left off. And I misquoted, as I was reading, the last word. But I trust that people will just know that's because I'm human. Acts 7, verse 18, Now again, I'm going to hammer home what I've been trying to show for the last 6 -7 chapters. This is all Jewish.
Moses' Position and Misjudgment
Les explains that Moses was second only to Pharaoh, with the power and clout to lead Israel, but he did not take into consideration that Israel wouldn't buy it.
God Was Not in Moses' First Attempt
Les teaches that God was not in Moses' first attempt, and God cannot use someone who is self-prepared or prepared by the world.
Ahead of God’s Timetable
Les says Moses was ahead of God's timetable; he thought his brethren would understand he was their deliverer, but they understood not.
The Burning Bush Reversal
Les contrasts the failed attempt with God's later call after forty years, when Moses objects, 'Who am I?'—showing God's timing.
The Desert Repurposing
Les teaches that God had to send Moses to the backside of the desert for forty years; only as a lowly shepherd could God send him back to Egypt.
Why Jesus Forbade Mary to Touch Him: The High Priest & His Blood
And so anyway, things keep getting worse, and finally the children of Israel are beginning to wonder whether Moses and Pharaoh really know what it's all about. And they come unto them, and oh, where is it? Verse 22, And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this thy people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy n…
Moses' Faith and Position
Les notes that Moses had everything going for him as the second most powerful man in Egypt, but by faith he realized the slaves were his kinfolk and would one day leave Egypt.
Acts 7:25: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
This is the clearest biblical statement of why Moses' first attempt failed: Israel did not understand God's purpose through him.
Acts 7:22: And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
This describes the worldly qualifications Moses had when he made his first, unsuccessful attempt.
Exodus 2:14: And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.
This records the Israelite's rejection of Moses' authority, which caused Moses to flee from Egypt.
Les teaches that Moses had the power and clout to lead Israel, but he did not consider that Israel wouldn't buy it. Scripture says he supposed his brethren would understand that God would deliver them by his hand, but they understood not.
Les says Moses at this point becomes a man of faith—he realized the slaves were his kinfolk and believed God would use him. But he was acting ahead of God's timetable and in his own self-prepared strength, so God was not in that first attempt.
Les teaches that God sent Moses to the backside of the desert to herd sheep for forty years. Only then, as a lowly shepherd, could God tell Moses He was sending him back to Egypt to deliver Israel.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Rejected Moses — And Then Rejected Christ