The Israelites failed to understand that Moses was God’s instrument in bringing salvation to them. In particular, the two fighting men did not recognize him to be a ruler and judge sent by God (even though he was).1 Israel’s past rejection of Moses has an implicit parallel with the Jewish leaders’ rejection of Jesus.2
35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.