In Exodus 2, Moses emerges as a deliverer, a man of faith, and a man of failure. Yet in each of these, he ultimately points us beyond himself to Christ. Moses tries to rescue Israel but cannot free them from Egypt or from sin. Only Christ delivers fully—from our enemies and from ourselves. Moses chose to identify with God’s people by faith, looking to a greater reward. We strengthen our faith the same way: by fixing our eyes on Christ, who left glory to suffer for us. Moses sinned and feared, yet God grew him through failure. We must admit, learn, and entrust our failures to Christ, who alone can redeem them for his glory and our good.

The Israelites have found themselves in Egypt, enslaved, crushed, and oppressed on all sides. But they weren’t sent there because of their disobedience to God; in fact, they were in Egypt because of obedience and faith. So why were they afflicted with so much suffering? And where is God in all of it? Exodus 1–2 helps us to see glimmers of hope in the thick darkness of human suffering. The curtain is slowly pulled back, and we can see God’s kind hand of providence gently leading, guiding, protecting, and caring for his people.

“Boasting” is pointing to something as the source of our identity and the grounds of our confidence. Galatians 6 teaches us that we can boast in vain (empty) things, or we can boast in the cross of Christ! If our identity and confidence comes from the cross, then Christ will transform our conduct toward one another, to make his churches beautiful communities of love and service.