SCRIPTURE: Exodus 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” [Exodus 4:11-12]
God calls Moses, and Moses piles on the excuses.
God gives Moses everything he needs to succeed, including the words to speak.
I will help you speak and will teach you what to say!
This is a promise for all whom the Lord calls and sends – He will help us, He will speak through us.
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [Matthew 10:18-20]
Jesus gives His missionary disciples instructions, and also assures them that He will help them.
You will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
How does this work, how does He give us the words to speak when we have no idea what to say?
I have experienced this, times when the words came to me when I least expected them.
It is not something we can induce on our own, it comes when and where and how He determines.
We need to make ourselves available, and step into the scary situations, trusting that at the right time He will speak and act through us.
As we see in this chapter, even God speaking through us is no guarantee that people will listen.
People can be very stubborn… we can be… I can be…
The Lord wants us to go, and to trust Him.
He will give us everything we need to succeed, even if it’s not what we are hoping for.
Just a note on the ‘bridegroom of blood’ scene in this chapter, I really do not know what it’s about.
It is a bizarre, frightening story (the kind that the Richard Dawkins types love to expose).
It’s one of those parts of the bible where I say, ‘I’m not sure’ and ‘there must be a meaning, I just don’t know what it is’.
Recently God has allowed us to build relationships with many non-christians, including Muslims and Hindus.
I am trusting Him that He will give me/us the words to speak when we need them!
PRAYER:
Lord, this is Your mission, You are more committed to it than I am. Help me to trust that You will give me everything I need to succeed. Help me to move forward, by faith!
The final words of this chapter hit me, especially at this time of the year. After the people had seen all the signs Moses performed and the words God had said, ‘They bowed down and worshipped.’ Wise men.
These people saw the hand of God and heard His voice. Their response? Worship Him!
The shepherds heard the angels sing and saw the Christ child. Their response? Worship Him!
The wise men of old followed the star until they saw the Christ child. What was their response? Worship Him!
God gave these people – the Israelites, the shepherds the wise men all they needed to know in order to worship Him.
He has given the people today, me, all I need to know in order to worship Him. I too, bow down and worship Him.
And God provided. God provided both Aaron and Moses all what was needed to speak to the people so they could believe and worship. He also provided all they needed to speak to pharaoh so that he too could worship. But, his heart was hardened. Yet God provided His people all they needed then and He continues to do so today.
Worship Him.
Be a wise man.
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Refrain
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Refrain
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Refrain
Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Refrain
Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.
Refrain
Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Refrain
All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To th’eternal Three in One.
Refrain