Week 6; Day 1

Because the last day of reading from last week actually began the book of Exodus, we are going to combine that day with today’s reading. The actual event of the Exodus is really the capstone of Israel. However, there were many events that led up to this miraculous event. The book begins approximately 400 years after Joseph’s death. Through the course of changes in leadership over Egypt, Joseph is forgotten. We enter at a time when Joseph is unknown by the current Pharaoh and the Israelites have multiplied to a vast number; so much so that the Pharaoh fears them. Not only are they forced into slavery for Pharaoh’s building projects (do you recall the pyramids?!), but he also orders that the Hebrew midwives kill all baby boys that are born. Incredibly they put more faith in God than their fear of Pharaoh and defied his orders. His anger pushes him to have the Egyptian soldier’s raid the Hebrew homes to kill the baby boys. There is one family that bravely hides their son for three months and here the foreshadowing begins of God’s hand on Moses’ life. After a brave act of blind faith on the part of his mother, Moses is rescued by none other than Pharaoh’s daughter. Let’s fast forward through some events to take a look at God’s patience with Moses. On more than one occasion, Moses expresses to God his fear about speaking to Pharaoh due to his speech impairment. Rather than give Moses a hard time about his fear, I’m going to focus on the grace and patience of God. Remember, forming a nation devoted to Him is entirely His plan. He is the one who has had to watch His beloved people live as slaves for 400 years. Yes, everything is in His plan and works together for His good. Do you think it brought Him joy, though? His heart must have been full of sorrow. Think of the pain and heartache of a parent who witnesses the suffering of a child. We must never forget that He is our Father and His heart towards is such. And His plan is to be culminated through this guy named Moses. As I read, I thought about something I’ve never really thought of before. His fear wasn’t necessarily going before Pharaoh but the actual speaking. I’m not going to read too much into this, but simply state the observation. Graciously, God gives Moses a mouthpiece, a spokesman, to speak on his behalf; brothers who go together before Pharaoh. God speaks to Moses, Moses speaks to Aaron and Aaron speaks to Pharaoh. There is no doubt that Aaron, as we will later read, blows it in other situations. Based on today’s reading, however, consider his submission. Moses is the revered leader whom we focus entirely upon. Aaron must have held such a willing servants heart. He claimed no right to lead the people since he, after all, was actually the one who spoke to Pharaoh. He sought no praise, no accolades. I wonder if I would have held such a spirit if I had been in the same situation. I wonder if I do hold such a spirit when I am in the same situations; those times when I’m called to do the behind the scenes work or the mundane or the unseen. Moses found strength from the presence of his brother and Aaron was thankful to be a part of the God’s plan. I wonder if there are any parallel’s we could learn from this? God is gracious enough to understand our humanity, our fears. Moses was honest enough to admit his fear. Aaron was humble enough to be a vessel that dispelled those fears. Aaron understood that it wasn’t about what job he had, but that God’s plan be fulfilled.