Moses had a good education, and it is remarkable how he used it to deliver the people of God from the slavery of Egypt, enabling them to serve the Lord in freedom. In today’s world where so much emphasis is placed on education for the purpose of making a better world in which to live, this example of Moses serves us well. Many are faced with the decision of how far to go towards getting a good education. Many are compelled by law to go to school until a certain age, but after that, the question remains as to how much education we should have. Should a Christian who has a heavenly objective not continue with higher education? It is important to realize that our objectives are different from those who live for this world. On the other hand, many find it increasingly necessary to be better educated in order to be able to earn enough to support a family and serve the Lord well in their vocation.
The Prophecy of Abraham
When Moses was born, his parents must have known that the time for them to leave Egypt was approaching. The Lord God had revealed to Abraham that his descendents would be strangers in a foreign land for four hundred years and in the fourth generation they would return to the land of promise (Gen. 15:13-1613And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. (Genesis 15:13‑16)). This family was of that fourth generation. The prophecy given to Abraham was recorded for us by Moses through divine inspiration, and most likely he received the historical recounting of it that had been passed on from generation to generation by their ancestors. This would indicate that his parents were aware of God’s promise to deliver them from Egypt within their lifetime.
The Faith of Moses’ Parents
When Amram and Jochebed saw that Moses was “a goodly child,” they believed God’s promises, causing them to hide Moses for three months and subsequently put him into the ark. Hebrews 11:2323By 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. (Hebrews 11:23) says, “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.” They hid him as long as they could, but when it was beyond their ability to protect him, they put him into the ark. The faith that trusts in the Lord when the care of our children is in our own hands will more readily trust in the Lord when their care is in the hands of another. If we learn to trust in the Lord for the proper upbringing while they are at home, we can learn to trust Him when they must leave home. Acting in faith and dependence on the Lord is more important than the choice of which school to attend, or whether it should be homeschool, public or private. The act of putting Moses into the ark was an act of dependence on God and is a beautiful picture of committing the child to Christ — the One who went into death for us. This is the basis of deliverance from the power of sin and Satan. God honored that faith by sending Pharaoh’s daughter to rescue him.
The same faith in Jehovah that would hide Moses from Pharaoh’s mandate of death would also later allow him to be educated by Pharaoh. Since the Lord showed His miraculous power of overruling to keep Moses alive through the intervention of Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses’ parents could well trust the Lord to keep Moses during the time he was educated in Egypt by those of Pharaoh’s house. The parents were not seeking great things for Moses in allowing him to be raised and educated by Egypt, but were committing him to God’s sovereign will and power.
The Agenda of Egypt
Stephen tells us in Acts 7:21-2221And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. (Acts 7:21‑22) that “Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” This was the agenda of Egypt. The educational world of today has this same aggrandizing desire; little or no place is given to the claims of God or the heavenly calling of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every school likes to have among its alumni those who have been successful and have advanced in this world.
It is important to see that Moses’ parents did not surrender their child to Egypt, but committed him to the One who was over Pharaoh. Their faith was in Jehovah. They allowed the Lord to take Moses and educate him. There was no compromise of position with the parents of Moses. They maintained their position as a separate people from Egypt; they were looking to leave Egypt for Canaan. This is an important point for us to recognize and follow, especially in higher education. We, as Christians, are called by Christ to heavenly blessings; we are pilgrims in the world. Our objectives are different. If we lose sight of this difference while being educated by the world, we will easily become a part of it. Our power of deliverance from the world is through faith in Christ (1 John 5:4-54For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. (John 5:4‑5)). Moral separation from the world while we live in it will preserve us from its unholy influence. The daily reading of the Word of God gives sanctifying power. Practical sanctification through reading the Word and obedience to it, along with Christ’s sanctifying Himself to help us from heaven, is sufficient to preserve us and will give power to deliver others from the world as Moses did when he came to years. (See John 17:15-1915I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (John 17:15‑19).)
Leaving Egypt
Having received the education of Egypt during the first forty years, Moses continued another forty years of education in the desert. God was preparing him for the appropriate time when he would be ready to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt. He “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:2424By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (Hebrews 11:24)). The world is full of self-seeking people. Moses, who was educated by Egypt, saw this and did not feel obligated to serve Egypt. The believer owes nothing to the world that chooses the pleasures of sin at the expense of God. “Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness” (Ex. 5:11And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. (Exodus 5:1)). Now the Lord wanted His people Israel to go three days’ journey into the wilderness to worship Him. He had every right to call them out.
Moses was educated and prepared of God to deliver Israel from Egypt. Not only was he raised up for Israel’s salvation, but he is the instrument God used to give us the first five books of the Bible. They were divinely inspired, but also are the product of one who was well educated. These five books are by far the best record we have of the early history of man. Moses applied himself well to his studies for the Lord’s sake.
But Pharaoh resisted their leaving Egypt. He wanted their services, but his lack of care for their welfare proved that he did not deserve their service in Egypt. With good reason Moses would esteem “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:26-2726Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:26‑27)). This is the kind of test we are faced with in the world today. The world will gladly use the Christian’s abilities for its own end and purposes. But for those who own His claims and are faithful to the Lord as Moses (Heb. 3:55And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; (Hebrews 3:5)), there will be strong resistance against leaving Egypt (the world) or doing anything for the Lord.
They That Use the World
In considering how much education to get, the challenge before us is how to use the things of this world for the coming world. We are told in 1 Corinthians 7:31, “They that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” If we use our education to serve ourselves, we are abusing it. God created all things and gave us the use of them with the purpose of using them together with Him. When the world passes away, as it indeed shall, those who have used the world for the Lord will not lose out.
The Lord’s Freeman
In the same chapter, 1 Corinthians 7, we have more good, practical instruction to those who might want to change their earthly occupation after being saved. We read, “Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men” (1 Cor. 7:21-23). These verses are helpful in establishing priorities concerning employment, our profession and how much education is needed. Christians who choose an occupation that will entail their working for another (have an employer), are not free to serve the Lord during their work time; there is liberty for them to serve the Lord after work. Those who have an occupation where they are self-employed are free to serve the Lord while working. There is the danger for the self-employed, however, to become overly occupied with their work. If the self-employed control the business well, they will have more free time and/or funds to use for the Lord. These things should be considered when deciding on an occupation or job. These verses remind us of the benefit of being free to serve the Lord — “if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.” Many occupations that allow this freedom require more education. This example of how Moses was preserved while being educated is particularly instructive for those who need an education. Moses got an education from the world, and then he turned around and used it to deliver souls from the world.
Not all are called to go on to higher education. There is no simple answer to this question that serves for all. Dependence on and obedience to the Lord will direct each one. “Concerning the works of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer” (Psa. 17:44Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. (Psalm 17:4)).
D. C. Buchanan