Q1. (Exodus 2:11-15a) What do we learn about Moses' motivations, character, and leadership ability from the incident of him killing the cruel Egyptian taskmaster? What positive things do you see in his character? What negative things do you discern?
The killing of the Egyptian taskmaster by Moses shows his lack of self control. Yes, he had good intentions about standing up for his fellow Hebrew but he didn't act wisely when trying to fix the problem. Instead, he "solved" the manner in an extreme way which ultimately led to fear and running off to Midian.
One could also assume that because of his social status of growing up in Pharaoh's household, that there was a longing to belong with his own kind. The text says "he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor." Maybe he wanted to fit in and thought that by killing the Egyptian he was in fact trying to gain favor from his fellow Hebrew. But of course, this had backfired on him.
As far as his leadership ability, he didn't have influence just yet which is why the Hebrew put him to shame when he called him out about his murder. Also, not taking responsibility for his actions shows how God had to do much work in him before he could lead a nation to freedom. He himself had to be free of his old ways before he could free others.
The positive I do see in him is with his heart. He had compassion on his fellow Hebrew but made a bad judgment call. You can also see a desire to fight in him. Yes he killed someone, but he used that desire to fight in the wrong way but you can also use it in a good way and it doesn't always have to be in a physical way.
The negative I see is his lack of integrity, responsibility, and how he let fear get the best of him. But we know that God has a way of pruning us to be more like him which is probably why he stayed in Midian for 40 years.