Matthew Henry Commentary Exodus 2:11-15

"And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he smote the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And he went out the second day, and, behold, two men of the Hebrews were striving together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? Thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely the thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well." — Exodus 2:11-15 (ASV)

Moses boldly embraced the cause of God's people. It is plain from Hebrews 11 that this was done in faith, with the full purpose of leaving the honours, wealth, and pleasures of his rank among the Egyptians. By the grace of God he possessed faith in Christ, which overcomes the world. He was willing, not only to risk all, but also to suffer for His sake, being assured that Israel were the people of God.

By special warrant from Heaven, which makes no rule for other cases, Moses killed an Egyptian and rescued an oppressed Israelite. Also, he tried to end a dispute between two Hebrews. The reproof Moses gave may still be of use. May we not apply it to disputants who, by their fierce debates, divide and weaken the Christian church?

They forget that they are brothers. The one who did wrong quarreled with Moses. It is a sign of guilt to be angry at reproof. People do not know what they do, nor what enemies they are to themselves, when they resist and despise faithful reproofs and reprovers. Moses might have said, if this is the spirit of the Hebrews, I will go to court again, and be the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

But we must be careful not to be set against the ways and people of God by the follies and peevishness of some persons who profess religion. Moses was obliged to flee into the land of Midian. God ordered this for wise and holy purposes.