Second Plague: Frogs

Second Plague: Frogs

Exodos 8: And the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. ² But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs. ³ So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. ⁴ And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants.” ’ ”

 

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GOD sends Moses with the third warning to tell Pharaoh. HE warned him to “Let MY people go,” otherwise frogs will overrun the area.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was about to face the second plague and could respond with obedience to GOD.
• GOD was clear in HIS words to Pharaoh.
• GOD did not speak directly to Pharaoh, but to HIS chosen leader Moses.

 

Frogs were revered by the Egyptians as gods. They worshiped frogs more than humans. They treated the Hebrews worse than frogs. GOD decided to warn Pharaoh first before sending frogs. If Pharaoh would change his heart, then frogs would not plague the land. But if he does not change his heart, then frogs will be everywhere.

 

GOD shows HIS sense of humor and said HE would put frogs “on your people.” This is funny and scary at the same time. GOD would produce so many frogs that there would be no place to go. The frogs represent a useless idol. They would have so many useless frogs and no way to get rid of them. They would place their hope in frogs but nothing would come from it.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning to Pharaoh about the frogs?
• Have you ever placed your hope in a thing or a human versus placing your hope in GOD?
• Is your hope in GOD strong enough to keep you from placing your hope in something or someone else?

Response to Blood – Hard Heart

Response to Blood – Hard Heart

Exodus 7: ²² Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said. ²³ And Pharaoh turned and went into his house. Neither was his heart moved by this. ²⁴ So all the Egyptians dug all around the river for water to drink, because they could not drink the water of the river. ²⁵ And seven days passed after the Lord had struck the river.

 

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Pharaoh’s magicians were also able to turn water into blood. Pharaoh was not impressed with what GOD did through Aaron’s rod and the command that Moses gave to Aaron. He went into his house, ignoring Moses and Aaron. The Egyptians had to dig for water near the river.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was not impressed with what GOD did as the first plague.
• Pharaoh’s magicians were able to do something supernatural which “solidified” his thinking that he was still a god.
• Pharaoh took away the straw for an enormous quota of bricks which made the Hebrews work harder; meanwhile, GOD took away the river, causing “all” the Egyptians to have to work hard just to drink.

 

This was the second warning to let GOD’s people go. The first caused Pharaoh to take away the straw for the brick quota. Pharaoh’s response to this plague was a hardened heart towards GOD. He was not impressed by the little trick that GOD did, or so he thought it was a trick.

 

He did not know that GOD was methodically removing a mindset that existed in the nation of Egypt. To keep the mindset of pride going, Pharaoh made “all” the Egyptians dig for water. Meanwhile, the Hebrews had plenty of fresh water to drink in the land of Goshen. The Egyptians had to work harder than the cruel directive Pharaoh gave to the Hebrews. GOD saw Pharaoh’s response before he gave it.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to the plague of blood?
• Is fear driving you to a place where you are unable to change?
• Is your reliance on your own abilities getting you nowhere, causing you to seek GOD’s help?

First Action to Dismantle a Mindset

First Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 7: ¹⁹ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.’ ” ²⁰ And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. ²¹ The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD told Moses to tell Pharaoh to let HIS people go. That was the warning. But now it was time for action. GOD told Moses to speak to Aaron. So he did. Aaron took his rod and touched the water in the river and all water turned into blood. Even water in buckets and stone pitchers turned into blood.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Pharaoh a chance to let the people go, but Pharaoh’s heart became hard and would not surrender to GOD.
• GOD said to Moses that he would be like GOD to Aaron, so Moses commanded Aaron to strike the water.
• GOD started the process of dismantling a belief system that openly opposed HIM.

 

When GOD made the promise to Noah that HE would not wipe out humans with a flood in the future, I believe HE was also saying HE was going to allow humans to choose HIM as GOD. Unfortunately, some humans saw themselves as god.

 

This belief system existed with the Egyptians. Pharaoh was revered as a god. But the true GOD was dismantling this belief. HIS first action was to turn the life sustaining water into blood. There was no escape. GOD was delivering HIS people from those who had a mindset that they could be a god. HE may have used blood on the first plague to show we need the blood of JESUS to sustain physical life as well as eternal.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses of the action HE took against Pharaoh when turning water into blood?
• Have you taken your eyes off of GOD and placed them in a limiting belief?
• What limiting belief do you have that makes you fear, worry or doubt that GOD can deliver you?

First Plague: Water Becomes Blood

First Plague: Water Becomes Blood

Exodus 7: ¹⁴ So the Lord said to Moses: “Pharaoh’s heart is hard; he refuses to let the people go. ¹⁵ Go to Pharaoh in the morning, when he goes out to the water, and you shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand. ¹⁶ And you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness”; but indeed, until now you would not hear! ¹⁷ Thus says the Lord: “By this you shall know that I am the Lord. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood. ¹⁸ And the fish that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink, and the Egyptians will loathe to drink the water of the river.” ’ ”

 

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GOD spoke to Moses and let him know that Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the people go. GOD gave Moses a warning to tell Pharaoh what HE was about to do.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to use a structure of Warning, Action and Response (WAR).
• GOD was taking down a mindset versus a particular nation.
• Pharaoh would have to go through nine other plagues.

 

To take down a mindset, GOD would give Pharaoh a warning. HE would then take action. And Pharaoh would respond. Pharaoh was at WAR with GOD and fighting a losing battle. The first plague was turning the river into blood.

 

This was the lifeline of commerce, cleanliness and food. I also believe that GOD was responding to a previous Pharaoh who demanded that the Hebrew male children be thrown in the river. GOD would use the WAR pattern nine more times until Pharaoh let the people go. This was the first warning.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning to Pharaoh?
• Have you ever been too scared to heed a warning and ultimately got hit with the problem?
• Is it possible that GOD is warning you to surrender your plan to HIM?

More Powerful Than Magic

More Powerful Than Magic

Exodus 7: ⁸ Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ⁹ “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ” ¹⁰ So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the Lord commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

 

¹¹ But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. ¹² For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. ¹³ And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.

 

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Moses and Aaron did a lot of walking in their lives. They were eighty and eighty-three, respectively. They walked down Mount Hebron or Sinai and went back to Pharaoh. They performed the miracle of the rod turning into a snake. The Egyptian magicians easily did the same. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up all their rods.

 

My Observations:

• GOD demonstrated that there is an evil layer of power that is higher than humanity, but lower than HIS power.
• GOD knew Pharaoh would ask for Moses and Aaron to prove their power.
• GOD was in the process of dismantling a belief that people could be gods.

 

This set of scripture scares me. It shows there is an evil layer of power that humans can tap into that helps them do supernatural things. BUT GOD is not scared at all. HE was about to easily defeat the Egyptians and can easily protect you and me.

 

Magic is real, BUT GOD’s power is above magic. We try to reduce GOD to magical powers as shown in Hollywood, BUT HE is so much more. HE is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful and lives everywhere. HE cannot be stopped, defeated or opposed. Aaron’s rod is a demonstration of how GOD allows us to be part of HIS plan. Any magic was defeated because of GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the magicians he faced?
• Have you ever encountered strange occurrences that seemed to oppose your efforts to simply serve and worship GOD?
• Can you focus on the almighty GOD to protect you, guide you and raise you up?

 

Preparing to See Pharaoh

Preparing to See Pharaoh

Exodus 7: So the Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. ² You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. ³ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. ⁴ But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. ⁵ And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

 

⁶ Then Moses and Aaron did so; just as the Lord commanded them, so they did. ⁷ And Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.

 

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After telling GOD that he could not speak well, Moses and Aaron waited on HIS response. GOD tole Moses that HE was placing him over Aaron. Moses GOD then said what HE would do and how Pharaoh would react.

 

My Observations:

• GOD would handle the words to say to Pharaoh by giving them to Moses, who would give them to Aaron.
• GOD uses armies for the first time in reference to HIS people.
• GOD wanted Pharaoh to know that HE is the LORD.

 

There are two ways to know that GOD is GOD. The first way is the GOD of wrath that Pharaoh was about to experience. The second way is the GOD who cares and loves us deeply. GOD was taking down more than a particular nation. HE was taking down an attitude. HE wanted Moses and Aaron to be confident that HE was in control.

 

GOD would help Pharaoh believe that HE was in charge. This would “solidify” his thinking and “solidify” his fate. In his heart, he would believe he is a god and that he was right for doing so. GOD would help him believe this by not entering his heart. GOD was about to do ten plagues and Pharaoh would not relent. Moses was eighty when he spoke in front of Pharaoh.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about HIS words of comfort?
• Are you overwhelmed with the plan GOD has on your life?
• If you are overwhelmed, can you think of what you are holding onto that needs to be in GOD’s hands?

But I Need Help

But I Need Help

Exodus 6: ²⁸ And it came to pass, on the day the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, ²⁹ that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I am the Lord. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.”

³⁰ But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?”

 

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Moses and Aaron went back to Mount Horeb to speak to the LORD. HE told them to go back and tell Pharaoh to “Let MY people go.” Moses remembered this encounter, but deviated from the story to list a genealogy. He gets back to the action by talking to GOD, telling HIM he does not speak well.

 

My Observations:

• Moses seemed like he was very humble in his assessment of his abilities.
• Moses presented his shortcomings to the LORD as if HE did not know.
• GOD allowed Moses to work within free will, asking HIM for needs that align to GOD.

 

Moses wanted to align to GOD’s vision, but understood that it may take someone who could convince or persuade Pharaoh to let GOD’s people go. Moses thought it was going to be a negotiation, rather than a set of ten plagues that would drive Pharaoh to make the people leave.

 

Moses’s assumption was that his plan would need eloquent speech, when it really did not. Aaron’s words are barely written. Moses could have said what Aaron said, but GOD allowed Moses to ask for something he may not have needed. GOD provided Aaron to go with him.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about his statement of lack and inability?
• Have you ever told GOD that you do not have what it takes to complete HIS plan?
• Have you forgotten that GOD has included you in HIS plan that will always work for the good of those who love HIM?

For and Against

For and Against

Exodus 6: ²⁰ Now Amram took for himself Jochebed, his father’s sister, as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of the life of Amram were one hundred and thirty-seven. ²¹ The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. ²² And the sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri. ²³ Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. ²⁴ And the sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These are the families of the Korahites. ²⁵ Eleazar, Aaron’s son, took for himself one of the daughters of Putiel as wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families.

 

²⁶ These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.”²⁷ These are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are the same Moses and Aaron.

 

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Continuing with the abrupt genealogy, Moses gets to his parents. We see that Aaron is older, then he states that his father lived to be the same age as Levi. At first it looks like another list of names. But the list has gaps, so the list may be saying something other than history.

 

My Observations:

• Hebron, Kohat’s son, is missing from this list.
• Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, did not have any detail.
• Korah was mentioned prominently and so was Phinehas.

 

“Why these two people?” I had to ask. Later we will see that the Korahites rebelled against Moses and Phinehas was trustworthy. The missing names make sense when looking at this list from the root of the problem and the root of the solution, point of view. Moses may have written this book after going through the rebellion written in Numbers.

 

Phinehas killed an Israelite man, Zimri, and a Midianite woman, Kozbi, who were committing sin in the camp. Korah, on the other hand, eventually challenged Moses and Aaron’s leadership and priesthood. The Korahites were swallowed up by the earth after the rebellion. “Where is Hebron, Miriam and other people that should be on the list? You may ask. I believe this list is not about lineage but about where did the problem begin and who stayed by my side.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about this list of people?
• Have you been in crowds who were for GOD and crowds that seemed against HIM?
• Are you looking at GOD’s calling on your life or looking at what is happening with other people?

Special From Nothing Special

 Special From Nothing Special

Exodus 6: ¹⁴ These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the families of Reuben. ¹⁵ And the sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the families of Simeon. ¹⁶ These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were one hundred and thirty-seven. ¹⁷ The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimi according to their families. ¹⁸ And the sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three. ¹⁹ The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Levi according to their generations.

 

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Generations after Adam and Eve, GOD spoke to Abraham. HE promised HE would make his name a great nation. This promise was passed down to his son Isaac and then passed to his grandson Jacob. Leah was given to Jacob as his wife. They had Reuben, Simeon and Levi as children, amongst others. This is the family of Aaron and Moses.

 

My Observations:

• GOD must have told Moses to write down the tribe leaders names to prepare him for what HE was about to do.
• Simeon and Levi murdered Shechem and the men of that town, defending Dinah, their sister, who was assaulted.
• Levi was also involved with selling his brother Joseph into slavery, which ultimately caused everyone to move to Egypt.

 

After the Garden of Eden, humanity took a beating. Their belief in their own ways and the appeal to their own culture, left GOD out of the picture. The further away we get from the garden, the more we forget who GOD is. GOD abruptly interjects a list of the first three families of Leah and Jacob.

 

I had to ask “Why is this list here?” I believe GOD was about to establish restoration of Levi. Jacob did not curse Levi, but his blessing said the tribe would be “scattered” because of Levi’s violence. Amazingly enough, the tribe of Levi would be know as a tribe of priests who would carry the Law of Moses. GOD restores.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD abruptly go into detail about the genealogy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi to Moses?
• Is your history important to GOD?
• Do you believe that GOD is actively restoring you and repairing your past?

When No One Agrees with the Plan

 

When No One Agrees with the Plan

Exodus 6: ¹⁰ And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ¹¹ “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel go out of his land.”

 

¹² And Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, “The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”

 

¹³ Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them a command^[j] for the children of Israel and for Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

 

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Moses took Aaron with him to meet GOD on Mount Horeb. GOD had to give them reassurance that HIS plan would work. Moses told GOD that things were getting worse after their first meeting with Pharaoh. He said the children of Israel were hurt and scared. He then said he does not speak eloquently.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh put his full resistance on letting the slaves go.
• The children of Israel were so scared that they resisted being let go.
• GOD said to Moses and Aaron with a command this time, that the children of Israel would be let go.

 

Once GOD puts a plan in place, there is no force, action or time that can prevent it from happening. Moses and Aaron were included in GOD’s plan and saw themselves as tiny, unspoken and powerless. BUT GOD was not going to use their strength or abilities.

 

We sometimes forget that GOD has the power and we have the obedience. When GOD says to do something regarding HIS plan of deliverance, our response needs to be with obedience. Moses was scared and rightfully so. He murdered an Egyptian year’s prior. He only had a stick and a brother. This looked impossible. BUT GOD knew HE was the master of the impossible.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS conversation with him and his brother regarding the plan to free the slaves?
• Have you focused too much on your own abilities and deficits to believe that GOD is in control?
• Is today the day you will take your eyes off of your abilities and trust that GOD is the power and the glory, forever?

Seven I Wills

Seven I Wills

Exodus 6: ⁵ And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. ⁶ Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. ⁷ I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. ⁸ And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’ ” ⁹ So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.

 

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GOD continues HIS reassurance to Moses. First, HE said that Pharaoh was no match for HIM. Then HE told Moses who HE is. Now GOD states what HE was going to do.

 

My Observations:

• GOD hears all groanings that are caused by oppression of HIS people.
• GOD keeps every promise HE makes.
• GOD says “I will” seven times to show that HIS plan is complete.

 

Here are the seven “I will's”

1. I will bring you our from under the burdens of the Egyptians
2. I will rescue you from their bondage
3. I will redeem you
4. I will take you as MY people
5. I will be your GOD
6. I will bring you into the land I swore
7. I will give it to you as a heritage

 

What I notice is there is nothing required of any person for GOD to execute HIS plan of deliverance. When GOD says “I will” it means it’s going to happen exactly the way HE said it would. GOD not only swore by HIS name, HE sealed it seven times with HIS promises. GOD loves the number seven. HE mentions HIS seven SPIRITS in the books of Isaiah and Revelation.

 

Moses told the children of Israel what GOD said, but they did not believe him. They were so oppressed that they could not hear what GOD had to say. This is a real feeling all of us can fall into. But their feelings mattered to GOD enough that HE decided HE would take care of everything and they did not have to worry. GOD sealed HIS promise seven times.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses of HIS promises?
• Has GOD made promises to you that have not come to pass and you are so focused on your problem that you have take your eyes off of HIS promise?
• When GOD makes a promise, do you get distracted by life and stop believing in HIS promise or do you press forward with trust?

I Swear by MY Name

I Swear by MY Name

Exodus 6: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”

 

² And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the Lord. ³ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Lord I was not known to them. ⁴ I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers. 

 

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Moses went back to see GOD, possibly on Mount Horeb. He told GOD that Pharaoh had turned up the cruelty after he said to Pharaoh, “Let MY people go.” GOD responded to Moses by telling him the promise HE made and restated HIS name.

 

My Observations:

• GIOD told Moses that not only will Pharaoh let the people go, he would force them out.
• GOD restated HIS name “YHWH” meaning Yahweh, meaning “I AM WHO I AM.”
• GOD restated the promise that the land of Canaan would be given to HIS people.

 

Problems with the plan immediately popped up when Pharaoh showed some resistance. GOD told Moses that HE met with generations of people, so Pharaoh cannot outlive HIM. HE also states that HE is GOD and that nothing can stop HIS plan.

 

GOD swore by HIS own name that HIS promise would be kept. Nothing can stop the great I AM. Moses was having a hard time being the spokesperson for GOD. You may feel the same way. BUT GOD promises are never broken. HE is who HE says HE is.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about what HE was going to do with HIS deliverance?
• Has GOD promised you anything and swore by HIS name that it would happen?
• Will you believe in GOD’s promises because HE swore by HIS name that it would happen?

When GOD’s Vision Seems Broken

When GOD’s Vision Seems Broken

Exodus 5: ²² So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? ²³ For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.”

 

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Moses was content in the desert. He got married and had kids. Then GOD appeared to him and gave him HIS purpose to tell Pharaoh to let HIS people go. Moses reluctantly obeyed and went to the children of Israel and performed the miraculous signs GOD was going to do to the Egyptians. Moses told Pharaoh the message and life got harder for the Hebrews. Moses went to GOD to ask “Why/”

 

My Observations:

• Moses expected immediate positive response from Pharaoh because GOD gave him the mission.
• Pharaoh’s cruelty got worse and now Moses felt that he was the cause and now everyone would hate him.
• Moses asked, “Why?” as if to say, “Do something about this!”

 

Questioning GOD’s motive was not the problem here. I believe Moses was questioning the response to his obedience. Things got worse when Moses obeyed. He went to GOD and said that when he spoke in GOD’s name, Pharaoh did more evil to the people. “This is YOUR vision,” is what I would imagine Moses saying to GOD. I have said this as well when things look like they are getting worse.

 

Moses may have gone all the way back to Mount Horeb, otherwise known as Mount Sinai. During the walk, he may have rehearsed what he would tell GOD. Unlike Noah, GOD did not physically walk with Moses. GOD knew Moses thoughts, but chose to appear in a specific place. This journey took time. Meanwhile the Egyptians were treating people worse and worse. The urgency was great. GOD had warned Moses the Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about his return and how he expressed his concerns to HIM?
• Has GOD given you a vision and things seem to have gotten worse?
• Even though things may seem worse, will you believe GOD’s plan accounted for it and HE is in control?

Your Setback is Included in Deliverance

Your Setback is Included in Deliverance

Exodus 5: ¹⁵ Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, “Why are you dealing thus with your servants? ¹⁶ There is no straw given to your servants, and they say to us, ‘Make brick!’ And indeed your servants are beaten, but the fault is in your own people.”

 

¹⁷ But he said, “You are idle! Idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ ¹⁸ Therefore go now and work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the quota of bricks.” ¹⁹ And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble after it was said, “You shall not reduce any bricks from your daily quota.”

 

²⁰ Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them. ²¹ And they said to them, “Let the Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

 

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Moses and Aaron performed the miraculous signs that GOD would do to the Egyptians and they believed. Many of them had stopped working because of their belief. This enraged Pharaoh, who quickly gave a wild erratic rule to take away their raw material, knowing it would make life more difficult, so he could beat them and make them feel scared of being disobedient.

 

My Observations:

• When Pharaoh realized that he may be losing power, he exerted force to control the people.
• Pharaoh’s cruel punishment made the children of Israel confront Moses and Aaron.
• The children of Israel felt their situation had gone from bad to worse.

 

At one point the children of Israel were crying out to GOD for deliverance. GOD heard their cries and responded with HIS deliverance plan. When the plan was put into effect, the children of Israel were delighted! Unfortunately, they had more suffering to overcome.

 

Their expectation was that GOD would make this happen swiftly and easily. They did not know that GOD’s plan included the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. They only saw the result coming. We feel the same way. When we get the smallest sign from GOD, we rejoice, but possibly fall to pieces when there is a setback, or so we think. GOD has taken into consideration any opposition you and I face. HE is still going to be the deliverance!

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the cruelty of Pharaoh and the response of the children of Israel?
• Have you ever experienced a setback and wondered if GOD has left you or abandoned the plan HE promised you?
• Can you hold on through the setbacks, knowing that GOD has accounted for them in HIS deliverance?

Oppressed Because You are Blessed

 Oppressed Because You are Blessed

Exodus 5: ⁶ So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, ⁷ “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. ⁸ And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ ⁹ Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words.”

 

¹⁰ And the taskmasters of the people and their officers went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh: ‘I will not give you straw. ¹¹ Go, get yourselves straw where you can find it; yet none of your work will be reduced.’ ” ¹² So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. ¹³ And the taskmasters forced them to hurry, saying, “Fulfill your work, your daily quota, as when there was straw.” ¹⁴ Also the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as before?”

 

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After GOD told Moses to tell Pharaoh, “Let MY people go,” Moses and Aaron went and performed the amazing signs that GOD was going to do to the Egyptians. News spread quickly that the Hebrews would be saved. But Pharaoh was not going to have any rejoicing. He came up with another wild rule to reduce the raw material supply and keep the quota of buildings that needed to be built for his comfort.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s people were being oppressed at the expense of Pharaoh’s comfort.
• GOD’s people felt they had no way out after they saw the miracles Moses and Aaron demonstrated.
• Things got harder once GOD’s people saw what HE could do.

 

A turn for the worse was taken when Pharaoh saw the people had stopped working. His response was to make life harder for them and beat the people he placed over them. He arranged a hierarchy by choosing Hebrew leaders and making them the focal point of pain if the quotas were not met. This move is still being used to this day.

 

GOD heard the cries of the people way before Pharaoh turned up the heat of oppression. HE prophesied what HE was going to do to the entire Egyptian empire. Those who oppress people and exploit people and take away resources will one day feel GOD’s wrath fall on them. GOD promised it.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the oppressive words from Pharaoh?
• Have you ever felt that the situation has gotten worse after speaking with GOD?
• Will you keep your faith in GOD’s promise of deliverance HE promised you?

An Opportunity to Say Yes

An Opportunity to Say Yes

Exodus 5: Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ ”

 

² And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”

 

³ So they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days’ journey into the desert and sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.”

 

⁴ Then the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor.” ⁵ And Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!”

 

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News had spread about the amazing signs Moses and Aaron performed with GOD’s power. People stopped working to see the great things they were doing and to hear a message of hope that they would one day be freed. When Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh, he told everyone to get back to work!

 

My Observations:

• Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh about what GOD said, but Pharaoh did not believe in GOD.
• Pharaoh questioned the power of GOD and said what he would not do, namely let the people go.
• Pharaoh was not intimidated by Moses or Aaron because they were two older men without a huge army.

 

Egyptians revered each Pharaoh as a god. Each person in power could command life or death for the most trivial excuse they could dream up. Pharaoh needed people to work for him and provide him and his family with the comforts of life.

 

Pharaoh’s rule was cruel and unusual. He made the people work with little to no rest. Since he believed he was powerful, he did not acknowledge GOD as the source of life and all things. He was given the opportunity to say, “Yes.” When asked to let the people go. His belief in his own power would be his fall. GOD warned Moses that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened and HE would help it.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about his first encounter with Pharaoh?
• Has GOD ever asked you to do something and you refused?
• Are you refusing GOD’s calling on your life because of a fear of the world?

Leadership Prepared

Leadership Prepared

Exodus 4: ²⁷ And the Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him. ²⁸ So Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. ²⁹ Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. ³⁰ And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. ³¹ So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

 

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GOD spoke to Aaron based on Moses’s request, and sent him to meet Moses on top of the mountain of GOD. After they met they wen to Egypt and met with the elders. There they performed the miracles they were going to perform in front of Pharaoh.

 

My Observations:

• GOD interacts with our free will and HIS will in a way that HE can listen to a request and already know the outcome.
• GOD sent Aaron to Mount Horeb, which is also called Mount Sinai, to have Moses show him the bush that didn’t burn up and to discuss all that GOD said.
• Moses and Aaron went to the elders of the children of Israel and performed all the signs that GOD was about to do.

 

Talk about preparation! GOD did some amazing things in this passage of scripture that I have never noticed before in my life! HE sent Aaron to meet Moses on a huge mountain. They found each other. Moses was probably pretty excited as he pointed to a bush that looked like any old bush, but he saw it on fire at one point.

 

Second Observations:

• I believe the preincarnate JESUS went to send Aaron.
• I believe the HOLY SPIRIT led Aaron directly to Moses.
• I believe the FATHER was orchestrating the salvation of HIS people through JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT, because THEY do not need credit for who was doing what.

 

Moses and Aaron probably talked all the way to Egypt and caught up on forty years of low to no contact. When they arrived, they gathered the elders from each tribe who would tell the history to the people. They performed many of the signs that GOD would have them perform. I say “many” because no one died, which was the last plague that would be imposed on Egypt. The people “believed” and they “worshiped.”

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about when Aaron was sent and the signs they performed in front of the children of Israel?
• Have you ever had an encounter with GOD that you were excited to share with people?
• What is GOD preparing you and others for?

Everyone But You

Everyone But You

Exodos 4: ²⁴ And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him. ²⁵ Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses’ feet, and said, “Surely you are a husband of blood to me!” ²⁶ So He let him go. Then she said, “You are a husband of blood!”—because of the circumcision.

 

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After leaving Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, they encountered the preincarnate JESUS. HE was about to kill Moses, whom HE called to bring the people out of Egypt. Zipporah performed a circumcision on Eliezer. JESUS let Moses go.

 

My Observations:

• GOD would not allow Moses to go to Egypt unless Gershom and Eliezer were circumcised.
• GOD told Abram, also known as Abraham, to be circumcised and from then on, every male was to be circumcised on the eight day.
• GOD would not allow Moses to be HIS leader unless he was serious about following what HE specified.

 

When everyone else could get away with ignoring what GOD said, Moses could not. When Moses said “yes” to GOD’s calling, he also said “Yes” to following GOD the way HE wanted. There were many men who grew up uncircumcised around Moses, but he had to follow what GOD told Abram to promise.

 

Zipporah may not have been privy to how serious GOD was about the covenant of circumcision. What seemed insignificant to her was extremely important to GOD. You would think that GOD would have simply told Moses to perform the circumcision like HE told Abram.

 

He must have circumcised Gershom, but for some reason Eliezer was not. This problem had to be rectified by Zipporah, who may have been against the circumcision. She reluctantly performed the delicate operation and protested. GOD did not harm Moses and it shows that HE is serious about HIS leaders. HE also intervenes.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about this circumcision incident?
• Has GOD said for you to do something that you may have mislabeled as insignificant?
• Do you say, “Everyone else can do stuff, why can’t I?” when GOD is trying to make you HIS leader?

Nation Called to Serve GOD

Nation Called to Serve GOD

Exodos 4: ²¹ And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. ²² Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. ²³ So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.” ’ ”

 

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After Moses accepted his calling, he went to his father-in-law to leave peacefully. Moses left his contentment to do what GOD called him to do. GOD warned Moses by telling him this would not be easy, but Moses was supposed to be obedient in doing all the wonders GOD had in store. GOD then calls Israel HIS “son.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD referred to Israel as HIS “son” for the first time, meaning nation, not JESUS.
• GOD wanted the nation of Israel to serve HIM after being called out of Egypt.
• GOD used the decree of the Pharaoh by saying “I will kill your son.”

 

When GOD says HE will kill someone, it’s not good. If you substitute the word “son” for “nation” and reread the scripture, you will see that GOD was about to take Egypt out of power. Their rule was far reaching and cruel. There is also a time that is too late with GOD. Pharaoh and the Egyptian beliefs had already reached the point of no return. GOD would harden their hearts. This is scary.

 

GOD also used the decree “I will kill your son” as Egypt’s own words used against them. One Pharaoh told the children of Israel to kill their sons by throwing them into the river. GOD would eventually perform a plague that would involve the river turning into blood. GOD was preparing Moses that even though miracles would be performed, Pharaoh would not admit that GOD is GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warnings about Pharaoh?
• Do you think GOD doesn’t see your suffering or the hearts of those who have been cruel?
• In the middle of uncertainty and cruelness, will you remain obedient to GOD to see HIS deliverance?

Peaceful Acceptance of the Calling

Peaceful Acceptance of the Calling

Exodus 4: ¹⁸ So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.”

And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”

 

¹⁹ Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.” ²⁰ Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

 

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GOD appeared to Moses in the form of fire inside of a bush. GOD showed Moses HIS power by turning his rod into a snake. HE also turned Moses’s hand leprous and healed it. Moses declined the calling, BUT GOD gave him an alternative to his thinking. HE would send Aaron with him. Moses went to his father-in-law and told him about he was leaving.

 

My Observations:

• Moses accepted GOD’s calling on his life.
• Moses wanted peace with his father-in-law, so he asked for permission.
• GOD had to assure Moses that no one would be out to kill him because those who sought his life were all dead.

 

As comfortable and content as Moses was, he was being asked to go and free the Israelites from captivity in Egypt. GOD helped Moses overcome his comfort and contentment by sending him back into action. The reason Moses killed an Egyptian is because he saw unfair treatment. He took matters in his own hand, which caused the Egyptians to want to kill him and the Israelites to fear him. He was in a bad place.

 

BUT GOD gave him comfort that HE would be with him. Moses packed up his family, Zipporah, Gershom and Eliezer, and headed to Egypt. He also took with him the rod of GOD as a sign that he believed in what GOD said.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about his conversation with his father-in-law.
• Have you come to grips with GOD’s calling on your life even though it may be scary?
• Are you overwhelmed by GOD’s calling on your life and will you accept HIS peace?

Free Will Taken Seriously

Free Will Taken Seriously

Exodus 4: ¹³ But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”

 

¹⁴ So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. ¹⁵ Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. ¹⁶ So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God. ¹⁷ And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”

 

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Seeing the miracles of the rod becoming a serpent and his hand becoming leprous may have convinced Moses that he was talking to GOD. He even was talking to a bush on fire but it was not consumed. But Moses declined GOD’s calling.

 

My Observations:

• GOD tries to include humans in HIS plan to save people and has strong feelings when HE is rejected.
• GOD was still gentle with Moses and HE provided him with an alternative.
• When Moses left Egypt, he must have told Aaron and Miriam which direction he would go so he could be found.

 

Being called into GOD’s plan is not what we want as humans. Moses just wanted to live a content life. He did not want to be rich or famous or powerful. He was speaking to GOD and turned down HIS offer. BUT GOD wanted Moses.

 

GOD shows us something strange. HE did not force Moses to do what HE wanted. HE also showed us that HE will not step in to make us do anything. HE takes the free will HE gave us seriously. HE gave Moses an alternative to consider. Moses could have said “No” again but this time he didn’t. GOD asked Moses to help HIM rescue HIS people. I believe HE is doing the same for you and me.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS anger HE had in the response?
• Have you ever turned down GOD because HE asked you to do something difficult?
• Do you want GOD to do everything and not expect HIM to want you to do something for HIM?

Excuses to Not Trust

Excuses to Not Trust

Exodus 4: ¹⁰ Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

 

¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? ¹² Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

 

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After GOD showed HIS power three times, Moses said to GOD that he was not a good speaker. GOD replied to him in a comforting way.

 

My Observations:

• Moses ended up being one of the greatest leaders in history, yet he had insecurities.
• Moses was ambivalent to the calling of GOD.
• GOD reveals that HE knows when people are sick and is involved with health.

 

When GOD’s calling collides with human free will, it seems to be a battle. Moses had a comfortable life and wanted to simply live with his wife and kid(s). He didn’t seem like he wanted to protest, fight or face any issues, yet GOD was sending him to face a human who was powerful, antagonistic and worshipped as a god.

 

Moses may have gotten scared. Wouldn’t you? BUT GOD said something we all can learn from “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” GOD does not seem harsh here, rather HE is concerned about the people in Egypt and seems to want humans to interact with human problems. HE carefully allows free will to be managed by humans, but intervenes enough. GOD wants our trust.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS conversation regarding Moses’s excuse?
• Has GOD ever clearly given you a promise that you started making excuses not to trust?
• What thing is GOD withholding to compassionately develop a greater trust in HIM?

If They Do Not Believe You

If They Do Not Believe You

Exodus 4: ⁶ Furthermore the Lord said to him, “Now put your hand in your bosom.” And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. ⁷ And He said, “Put your hand in your bosom again.” So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. ⁸ “Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. ⁹ And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land.”

 

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Moses was sent by GOD to bring the Hebrews out from under the cruel hands of the Egyptians. Moses asked questions about his calling. GOD obliged him by performing miracles. Moses stuck his hand in his bosom and it became leprous. He then put it back in and it was healed.

 

My Observations:

• Moses needed convincing that he was called by GOD to do what HE said.
• Moses placed his hand in the fold area where the ribs meet the stomach, but there may have also been a miraculous insertion under the skin.
• GOD told Moses that if they do not believe, then HE was going to handle it.

 

Convincing people was not Moses’s job like he thought. He was simply supposed to be obedient and allow GOD to do the supernatural stuff. This is the first time leprosy is mentioned in the Bible. GOD was showing Moses that HE can cause a supernatural disease and heal it just as easily.

 

GOD wanted Moses to have solid belief in his calling. HE wants the same with you. It is not up to you whether someone believes in GOD’s calling on your life, or that they place their belief in HIS SON. GOD wants you and me to be faithful to HIM and to do as HE says. HE is looking for the lost and HIS directions on our lives are pure in HIS pursuit.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the miracle of leprosy on his hand?
• Do you need convincing of your calling?
• Once convinced of your calling, what are your next steps to being faithful to GOD?

You Have Everything You Need

You Have Everything You Need

Exodus 4: Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”

 

² So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

 

He said, “A rod.”

 

³ And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. ⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), ⁵ “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

 

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Moses, being unsure of himself, asked GOD “What if they don’t believe me?” GOD had just told Moses to go get HIS people out of Egypt. Moses needed some confirmation.

 

My Observations:

• Moses felt insignificant, inadequate and inferior to the Egyptians who had armies, wealth and power.
• GOD asked Moses a question that HE knew the answer to, but wanted Moses to self-discover what HE was about to do.
• GOD turned the rod into a serpent to convince Moses that HE can do anything and that serpents are under HIS authority.

 

“You have everything you need,” seems to be the message GOD was giving to Moses. “All you need is the stick you have in your hand and I will do the rest,” is what I’m getting from this demonstration of power. I believe you and I underestimate the true power of GOD.

 

When we try to steer GOD by telling HIM what we need, we miss the point that HE has already provided us with everything we need. GOD was about to use a rod to defeat the Egyptians who were mistreating other humans. When you have GOD you have all you need.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the conversation HE had with him about the rod?
• Do you sometimes feel inadequate to take on large challenges GOD may want you to take on?
• Will you trust GOD and know you have everything you need to defeat the giant you are facing?

Abundant Deliverance Promised

Abundant Deliverance Promised

Exodus 3: ¹⁶ Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; ¹⁷ and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’ ¹⁸ Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ ¹⁹ But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. ²⁰ So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. ²¹ And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. ²² But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

 

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GOD continues to give the words HE wanted Moses to say to the children of Israel. HE told Moses to gather the elders of Israel so they could announce what GOD was about to do.

 

My Observations:

• The elders of Israel passed verbal history down to the generations and knew about what GOD did in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s life.
• GOD said that HE saw what the Egyptians did so Moses would convey to the elders that GOD knows what is going on.
• GOD promised that HE not only would cause the Egyptians to want the Hebrews to leave, HE would also cause them to give up all their stuff.

 

One thing I notice is GOD seems very riled up, but was in full control of the situation. HE said exactly what would happen and how the Egyptians would not respond favorably. HE also said how HE was going to handle the situation and what the result would be.

 

GOD did not say the children of Israel had to be better, try harder, pray more, give more or dismiss their pain. In other words, it seems like GOD is saying, “I GOT THIS!” I believe GOD had to speak to the elders to alter the stories being told.

 

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had remarkable situations that were handed down from generation to generation. BUT GOD was about to do something with this generation. HE still does this with those who believe. HE is still doing a marvelous “wonders” that will not leave HIS people “empty-handed.”

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS prophecy HE wanted to be delivered to the elders of Israel?
• Have you been waiting on GOD’s deliverance for a long time?
• Will you trust that HIS promises to deliver you are solid and you can place full trust in them?

Gaining Clarity

Gaining Clarity

Exodus 3: ¹¹ But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

 

¹² So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

 

¹³ Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”

 

¹⁴ And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” ¹⁵ Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’ 

 

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Moses seemed content with his life. He lived in the desert with his wife and child. He had plenty to eat and faced no contention. BUT GOD told him to “bring MY people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Moses asked some clarifying questions.

 

My Observations:

• Moses seemed scared to address any Pharaoh after being labeled a wanted man for killing an Egyptian.
• Moses was probably addressing an issue he saw with the children of Israel where their beliefs were mixed with other cultures polytheistic beliefs when he asked GOD HIS name.
• GOD gave the vaguest, yet sovereign answer to tell the children of Israel, “IAM WHO I AM.”

 

You would think that Moses would have asked more questions about the problems he would have with the Egyptians. He seemed to be more worried about the children of Israel needing to be convinced that they should leave. He may have sensed that they feared GOD, but they also had been in Egypt for a long, long time. They may have started to believe in the Egyptian culture of many gods.

 

When Moses asked, “” What is HIS name?” regarding the question the children of Israel might ask, GOD did not say “Tell them” or “persuade them” or “MY name is.” HE replied “I AM WHO I AM.” This is the final say. No more will be said. No convincing needed. No more is needed.

 

GOD is known as the great I AM. People have tried to separate JESUS from the FATHER and from the HOLY SPIRIT. Later, when JESUS became a human, HE called HIMSELF, “I AM.” This enraged the Pharisees. GOD sent Moses and said HE would be with him. Moses needed that boost of confidence, and perhaps you do as well. I AM is with you.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the conversation HE had when HE called him to be HIS leader?
• What questions do you have about your calling?
• Did GOD’s calling on your life scare you enough to make you ask HIM questions for clarity?