Overview (Verses 74 - 76)

Patience Stretched to the Edge
 
There are, however, other strange events awaiting Moses which would exhaust his patience: “And so the two went on until they met a certain young man. [The sage] slew him.” (Verse 74)
 
The first action exposed the boat and its passengers to certain risks. Now there is the blatant murder of a young man without provocation or justification. This was too much for Moses to tolerate patiently, despite all the promises he had given not to question anything he saw. Hence, “Moses exclaimed: ‘Have you killed an innocent man with no cause of just retribution for murder? Foul indeed is that which you have perpetrated.’” (Verse 74)
 
This suggests that Moses was not unmindful of his promise. He probably remembered it, but felt unable to keep quiet when he witnessed a murder. To him, the young man was innocent. He had not perpetrated anything to justify his killing. He was perhaps even under age, so that he could not be held accountable for any misdeeds.
 
Once again the sage reminds Moses of the condition he has made and the promises Moses has given, referring also to what he said in the first place: “Did I not make it clear to you that you would not be able to have patience with me?” (Verse 75) This time, however, the sage goes further and reminds Moses that he said all this to him personally: “Did I not make it clear to you...” So the early warning was addressed to Moses personally, but he was not convinced. He had sought to be the man’s companion accepting his conditions. Again Moses reflects, knowing that he has broken his promises twice, forgetting it despite reminders. His regret makes him too apologetic, depriving himself of any possibility of a lengthy companionship with the sage. He gives himself only one last chance: “Moses said: If ever I question you again, do not keep me in your company; for then you would have had enough excuses from me.” (Verse 76)