Old Testament - Exodus 4 - March 24, 2022

 

3/24/2022 – Exodus 4

Moses, although a former prince of Egypt, was deeply worried about his ability to do what the Lord had asked. I can certainly see that as he has been called to deliver an entire population from a terrible oppressor, and take them safely to another place…a place that at this time is unknown to him. This is how the Lord patiently taught Moses: 

3:11: Who am I to be able to do what you have asked?
3:12 I, the Lord, will be with you.
3:13: Who should I tell them sent me?
3:14-17, Tell them I Am sent you unto them. 
4:1:  But they will not believe me or listen to me. They will say I am lying.
4:2-9, Perform the three signs that I will give you (turn a rod into a snake, display a hand 
bearing leprosy, and turn water into blood).
4:10: I have never been a good speaker. I am slow of speech. 
4:11-12:  I made you mouth, and I will be with you and teach you what to say.
4:13 Please, Lord, send someone else.
4:14-17: I will make Aaron a spokesman for you and teach you what to do.

At least 5 times Moses tried to tell the Lord that he could never do the task he was asked to do.  Even when the Lord had Moses turn a rod into a snake, and back into a rod again—and pour water on the earth and see it turn into blood….plus more of these miracles. And still Moses came up with reasons why he could never be able to do this calling…”And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses…” (v 14) and the Lord offered Aaron, who was a Levite, who was a good speaker. The Lord said Aaron was already on his way, and he told Moses how to teach Aaron what the Lord wanted, and how to rely on Aaron’s abilities to communicate Moses’ knowledge and errand into words that the people, and the Pharoah, would understand—plus Aaron would teach Moses under the Lord’s guidance. (v 15) And finally, in v 18, Moses when into action in his efforts to do what he had been called to do. 

Now that Moses is moving to do as the Lord had asked, the Lord tells him how things will proceed when he and Aaron go before the Pharoah: He told Moses what to do when he had his audience with the Pharoah, and He also warned Moses that the Pharoah’s heart would be hardened, and that the Pharoah would not let the Israelites leave. Then the Lord tells Moses how to follow up with the Pharoah. The JS translation of v 21 is “…and I will prosper thee; but Pharaoh will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go.” The JS translation also says that the Lord “said unto Aaron, go into the wilderness to meet Moses, and he went and met him, in the mount of God; [mountains are the temples of that time] in the mount where God appeared unto him;”

In V 28 which is after their time on the mount, Moses tells Aaron everything the Lord had told Moses. And with that (v 29) “Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. Aaron spoke to the people, “and the people believed” (v 31). And then my favorite part “and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.” Too often, I think I happily accept the Lord’s blessings and then go my way. I need to spend more time in recognizing His influence and thanking Him, and hopefully finding myself closer to Him and more alert to His help. He has guided me and helped me and comforted me so many times, and those times have truly changed my life, and have changed it for the good. I truly have been gently tutored by my loving Father, and that is what I am so deeply thankful for.

When the Lord asks, DO IT!!! For that is when it all begins to work!


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