Valuable Lessons from Moses and His Teacher
[18:60] Moses said to his servant, “I will not rest until I reach the point where the two rivers meet, no matter how long it takes.”
[18:61] When they reached the point where they met, they forgot their fish, and it found its way back to the river, sneakily.
[18:62] After they passed that point, he said to his servant, “Let us have lunch. All this traveling has thoroughly exhausted us.”
[18:63] He said, “Remember when we sat by the rock back there? I paid no attention to the fish. It was the devil who made me forget it, and it found its way back to the river, strangely.”
[18:64] (Moses) said, “That was the place we were looking for.” They traced their steps back.
[18:65] They found one of our servants, whom we blessed with mercy, and bestowed upon him from our own knowledge.
[18:66] Moses said to him, “Can I follow you, that you may teach me some of the knowledge and the guidance bestowed upon you?”
[18:67] He said, “You cannot stand to be with me.
[18:68] “How can you stand that which you do not comprehend?”
[18:69] He said, “You will find me, GOD willing, patient. I will not disobey any command you give me.”
[18:70] He said, “If you follow me, then you shall not ask me about anything, unless I choose to tell you about it.”
[18:71] So they went. When they boarded a ship, he bore a hole in it. He said, “Did you bore a hole in it to drown its people? You have committed something terrible.”
[18:72] He said, “Did I not say that you cannot stand to be with me?”
[18:73] He said, “I am sorry. Do not punish me for my forgetfulness; do not be too harsh with me.”
[18:74] So they went. When they met a young boy, he killed him. He said, “Why did you kill such an innocent soul, who did not kill another soul? You have committed something horrendous.”
[18:75] He said, “Did I not tell you that you cannot stand to be with me?”
[18:76] He said, “If I ask you about anything else, then do not keep me with you. You have seen enough apologies from me.”
[18:77] So they went. When they reached a certain community, they asked the people for food, but they refused to host them. Soon, they found a wall about to collapse, and he fixed it. He said, “You could have demanded a wage for that!”
What time in Moses life did he meet his teacher? Was it before or after he spoke with God?
Looks like it took place before he was a prophet:
- Moses had a servant – so it may have been when he was a prince
- Moses was unsure of himself prior to becoming a prophet like when he spoke with God and doubted his abilities, but after Moses went to Pharaoh we see that he had a new level of certainty that we don’t see prior. (26:62)
Moses did not say “God willing” in 18:60 and maybe this is why he missed the spot.
Remembering God Every Chance We Get [18:23] You shall not say that you will do anything in the future, [18:24] without saying, “GOD willing.”* If you forget to do this, you must immediately remember your Lord and say, “May my Lord guide me to do better next time.”
[12:42] He then said to the one to be saved “Remember me at your lord.”* Thus, the devil caused him to forget his Lord, and, consequently, he remained in prison a few more years.
[6:68] If you see those who mock our revelations, you shall avoid them until they delve into another subject. If the devil causes you to forget, then, as soon as you remember, do not sit with such evil people.
[21:23] He is never to be asked about anything He does, while all others are questioned.
[2:154] Do not say of those who are killed in the cause of GOD, “They are dead.” They are alive at their Lord, but you do not perceive.*