Well, I just finished doing this study when a glitch came in, struck, and it all disappeared. So here we go again.
Exodus 3 & 4. Moses is tending sheep and sees a bush burning, yet not consumed. He goes over to check it out, as he get close God calls his name, Moses, Moses. Moses replies Here I am. God tells him to take off his sandals as he was on Holy Ground.
Now when talking about obedience and faith think about this. A father has a son climb up on a ladder, above the fathers head and tells the boy to jump into the fathers waiting arms. This take both faith and obedience from the child, aka CHILD LIKE FAITH! Which is what we should have.
We'll look at Moses obedience and faith. The two run together. So, here Moses is talking to God. What an awesome experience. God says I want you to bring the Israelites out of Egypt as I have heard their cry. Now, obedience and faith are not showing up in Moses here.
Moses says who am I that Pharaoh would listen to me. God says I will be with you. Where is Moses' faith? Moses just is not sure and he stands and argues with God about this. Thankfully for him, God is patient. You can read all about this in Exodus 3.
Then in verse 4 God demonstrates HIS authority over everything in the world. Moses, what do you have in your hand. A staff is the reply. God says throw it down. Moses does and it turns into a snake of which Moses fled. God tells Moses to grab the snake by the tail.
Now, don't you imagine Moses is probably thinking God does not understand that this is a reptile, a snake, something that bites and can kill. And you want me to do what???? God, you just don't understand things down here on earth. But, probably out of reluctant obedience, Moses grabs the tail of the snake and BANG!!! it is now back to being his staff.
God had to push Moses into being obedient and faithful. After seeing these miracles, and a biggy, speaking directly to GOD, you would think Moses would be ready to go. With God on his side he should have been excited. God had Moses put his hand in his cloak, pull it out and it was leprous, then put his hand back into his cloak, draw it out and it was clean. God also mentioned turning some Nile water red. You would think this was enough. NOOOOO!
Now Moses comes back with his being slow of tongue. Moses is arguing with God again. We can look at this and respond with something like, "Come on Moses, it is God, just do what HE is asking. HE is on your side. BUT, before we do this:
TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LIFE AND SEE HOW OFTEN YOU ARGUE WITH GOD AND ARE NOT OBEDIENT AND FAITHFUL. Yep, he who is without sin may cast the first stone. Don't we do the same thing? Obedience and faith work together for our good; yet we still question. May this little bit about Moses help us think about our life with God - am I obedient and faithful? Thanks for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
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