Chapter 4: The Day the Prince Looked Both Ways

Moses grew up in the palace. But one day, when he was a man, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Moses looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. (Exodus 2:11-12)

It was the first decision Moses made as a man. And it would cost him everything.

The next day he went out again and saw two Hebrews struggling with each other.

MOSES (to the one in the wrong): "Why do you strike your companion?" (Exodus 2:13)

THE HEBREW“Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?”— Exodus 2:14

The secret was out. Moses was afraid.

MOSES (to himself): "Surely the thing is known." (Exodus 2:14)

When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. (Exodus 2:15) The prince who had grown up eating at Pharaoh's table, living under Pharaoh's roof, protected by Pharaoh's daughter, was now a wanted man in the very palace he had called home.

Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh. And the question the Hebrew had asked him would follow him for the next forty years: who made you a prince and a judge over us?

No one had. Not yet.