The second forty-year episode of Moses is recounted for us by Stephen. He is now the God-appointed ruler and deliverer for the descendants of Jacob. Stephen drove home the point by reminding his listeners that it was this same Moses that they had previously disowned. The generation before them has questioned the legitimacy of Moses’ leadership. He did not fit the profile of a judge of deliverer. And just like we are today, if the candidate does not fit the description of who we are looking for, that person is not going to be getting the second look.
Moses return to Egypt with a different set of credentials. Unrecognized by Pharaoh but approved by God. God will only send his angel to accompany those that He approves. One man approved by God and one of God’s angelic messenger will be able to stand up against the host of adversaries. Moses knew that he was not alone.