When he was about eighty years old

This is the third part of Moses’ story. “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning thorn bush…and as he approached to look more closely, the voice of the Lord came: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob.’” (1) Forty years later, when Moses was about eighty years old, God appeared to him in the burning bush. God referred to Himself by the covenant name “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” God revealed Himself far from the Promised Land. This is an important point in Stephen’s defense. God is not confined to one location. (2) Upon hearing the voice, Moses shook with fear. “But the Lord said to him, ‘Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them; and now come, I will send you to Egypt.’” (1) The Promised Land is not the only holy ground; any place where God is present is holy ground. (2) Although the people of Israel did not recognize Moses as their deliverer, God certainly appointed Moses as their deliverer and ruler. Therefore, God commanded Moses to go to Egypt. (3) The same thing happened with Joseph. Initially, the people of Israel rejected Moses, but when he appeared before them the second time, they believed in him. The rejected one was exalted and accepted by the people as their deliverer. “This man led them out, performing wonders and signs…in the wilderness for forty years.” (1) Moses performed miracles in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness. It was evident that Moses was appointed by God as the deliverer. (2) This same Moses prophesied the coming of the Messiah: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you…” (Deut. 18:15-19). Moses is a type of Christ. It was evident to the scribes that Jesus was the “prophet like Moses.” Jesus performed wonders and signs. Yet, they killed Jesus. Just as Moses was initially rejected by the Jews, Jesus was also rejected but will be accepted as the Messiah in the end times. This is the hope of the Jews. The salvation of the Jews will bring blessings to the whole world. Let’s pray for the salvation of the Jewish people.