Source Coverage: Exodus 2:19-20
In Exodus 2:19, Moses is referred to as “an Egyptian.” That is how the daughters of Jethro identified him: “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds.” This was likely because of how he dressed, how he carried himself, and possibly how he spoke. When you spend forty years in Egypt, you begin to look like Egypt and sound like Egypt.
Environment leaves its mark.
We see something similar in the New Testament. During Jesus’ trial, Peter was recognized as a Galilean. Matthew 26:73 says, “Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.” Mark 14:70 records the same moment. His accent gave him away. His speech revealed his origin.
The principle is simple: where you’ve been shows up in how you live.
For Moses, Egypt’s influence shaped his appearance-but it did not define his identity. He may have looked Egyptian on the outside, but he knew he was Hebrew at heart.
For the believer, the reverse should be true. Though we live in this world, the longer we walk with Christ, the more our speech, conduct, and character should reveal our heavenly citizenship. If Peter’s speech betrayed him as a Galilean, our lives should betray us as Christians.
The question becomes: When people hear us speak and watch how we live, what do they conclude about where we belong?
In Exodus 2:19, Moses is referred to as “an Egyptian.” That is how the daughters of Jethro identified him: “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds.” This was likely because of how he dressed, how he carried himself, and possibly how he spoke. When you spend forty years in Egypt, you begin to look like Egypt and sound like Egypt.
Environment leaves its mark.
We see something similar in the New Testament. During Jesus’ trial, Peter was recognized as a Galilean. Matthew 26:73 says, “Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.” Mark 14:70 records the same moment. His accent gave him away. His speech revealed his origin.
The principle is simple: where you’ve been shows up in how you live.
For Moses, Egypt’s influence shaped his appearance-but it did not define his identity. He may have looked Egyptian on the outside, but he knew he was Hebrew at heart.
For the believer, the reverse should be true. Though we live in this world, the longer we walk with Christ, the more our speech, conduct, and character should reveal our heavenly citizenship. If Peter’s speech betrayed him as a Galilean, our lives should betray us as Christians.
The question becomes: When people hear us speak and watch how we live, what do they conclude about where we belong?