Acts 7:17-36 - Moses, A Rejected Savior
17 now while the time was approaching to accomplish what God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew numerous in Egypt, 18 till another king arose who knew not Joseph. 19 this prince employ'd all his arts against our nation, and persecuted our fathers, by obliging them to expose their young children, in order to extirpate the race. 20 in which time Moses was born, who was exceeding fair, and nourished in his father's house three months: 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter caused him to be taken up, and maintain'd for her adopted son. 22 at length Moses was instructed in all the sciences of the Egyptians, and had great influence by his counsels and actions.
23 when he was full forty years old, he took the resolution to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 and seeing one of them abus'd, he defended him, and avenged the injury by killing the Egyptian: 25 for he supposed his brethren would have perceiv'd by this, that God design'd to make him the instrument of their deliverance; but they did not perceive it. 26 the next day seeing some that were fighting, he would have persuaded them to agree, saying, sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye injure one another?
27 but he that did his neighbour the injury repelled Moses, saying, who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 will you kill me as you kill'd the Egyptian yesterday? at these words Moses fled,
29 and went to reside in the land of Madian, where he became the father of two sons. 30 when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina, an angel of the Lord in a flaming bush. 31 Moses was astonished at this vision: and as he drew near to observe it, he heard the voice of the Lord, which said to him, 32 "I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." and Moses trembled so, he durst not observe any longer.
33 then said the Lord to him, "put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. come immediately, and I will send you into Egypt."
35 this Moses whom they refused, saying, who made thee a ruler and a judge? the very same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hands of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. 36 he it was, who delivered them by doing prodigies and miracles in the land of Egypt, in the red sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.