A New Identity

Moses was born into oppression and raised in privilege. A Hebrew by birth, yet educated in the palace of Egypt, the very empire that enslaved his people.

It’s easy to miss how strange this story is. Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be thrown into the Nile (Exodus 1:22), and yet Pharaoh’s own daughter finds a Hebrew boy in the Nile and chooses to raise him.

God’s plan for a deliverer does not follow conventional human wisdom. It cracks the system from within.

Moses grew up hearing two different stories about himself. One was from the palace, where Pharaoah was a god and Moses had status, and the other was from the cries of his people, who worshiped Yahweh, the God who sees and saves.

Which story would define him?

That tension followed Moses into adulthood. He eventually fled into the wilderness, like wondering, Am I Egyptian? Am I Hebrew? Do I belong anywhere?

Then the burning bush. God met him, called him by name, and gave him a new identity. “You will be my servant. I am sending you.”

Eventually, he confronted the gods he was raised to believe in.

Your family of origin, your past mistakes, or your cultural background don’t get the final word on who you are. God does.

He forms your identity from who He is and His mission for you.

Reflection: What voices have shaped your view of yourself? How might God be redefining who you are and what you’re called to do?