The Education of Moses

“IT doesn’t matter whether you have an education,” some people say, “God can use you anyway.” True, God can use anyone, with or without formal education. But Moses’ learning “in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22) proved to be a valuable asset when the Lord called him to lead Israel out of captivity.

Moses spent the first third of his life—40 years—in Egypt. Raised among royalty, he was exposed to the impressive culture of the pharaohs. The curriculum likely included political science, public administration, religion, history, literature, geometry, and perhaps even engineering and hydraulics.

But that was not the end of Moses’ education. He spent another 40 years in “graduate school” in the desert, studying animal husbandry while interning as a shepherd. He also learned about public health and primitive communities. Altogether, the first two-thirds of Moses’ life prepared him for his most challenging job—leading Israel through the wilderness.

Intelligence and education alone don’t make someone fit to serve God. Indeed, an educated person can hide behind his or her learning in order to avoid dealing with God. Young Saul fell into that trap (Acts 22:3-5), as did his fellow Pharisees. So did the philosophers at Athens (Acts 17:16-34). But as Stephen pointed out, the problem is not with the intellect but with the will; the danger comes not from embracing knowledge but from resisting God (Acts 7:51).

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.