February 28, 2024February 25, 2024

Moses

by in 40 Days In The Word 2024
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Moses

Day 24, Feb 28th 2024

Topic: Moses

Text:  Exodus 3:1-22; Hebrews 11:23-28 – (NLT)

Introduction-

Moses is one of our heroes from the Old Testament. God used him in incredible ways to carry out His plan and purpose. One thing we see of Moses, is that he was an ordinary man, like you and me. He faced difficulties, challenges, discouragement, made some excuses, and dealt with very difficult people. But God transformed this ordinary man, and used him to do extraordinary things. 

Moses was a man of faith, actually, the faith of Moses has its origins in the faith of his parents – Hebrews 11:23-28.  In the very first few verses of Exodus chapter 2, we learned of Moses’ timely birth. There we saw God’s providence and protection in the midst of difficult times. As chapter 2 unfolds we are told of Moses’ passion and personality. 

What kind of man would Moses turn out to be? Acts chapter 7: 20 -36,  gives us an insight to what took place during those formative years. There was certainly a period of time that Moses was taught at home as we see in Exodus 2:9-10.

Moses at some point in his life had to make a choice. We all face choices every day, just as Moses had to make a choice. Would Moses choose to identify with the people of the world or would he identify with the people of God? This opportunity is ever present before us as well. We must make a choice, to whom shall we serve? Which direction will we choose? The path to life or death –  Matthew 7:13-14.

Life Lessons and Life applications

  1. God will Transform and Refine You: (Exo. 3:1-3) -At 80, after spending 40 years raising sheep in the wilderness, God brought Moses to the top of Mount Horeb (also called Sinai). 40 years early, God had transformed Moses from a mighty prince of Egypt to a lowly shepherd. He was the heir to the throne when he gave up everything to side with the Jews. His fall from power was so extreme that he did not even have his own flocks. Instead, to prepare him for watching God’s flock, God had him watch his father-in-law Jethro’s flock. Moses lived in the world for 40 years being a “somebody”. God spent 40 years turning him into a “nobody”. God frequently uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary. He dwells with those with a lowly and contrite heart – Isaiah 57:15. If you feel that there is nothing special about you, you are in the perfect place for God to use you.
  1. God Wants Our Obedience to His calling: (Exo. 3:4-5) – God called Moses from the burning bush. God waited until Moses turned his attention towards Him before He called Moses. The lesson here is that God may not speak unless you are looking for Him. In the Bible, He frequently called persons by their names twice. These include: Abraham (Genesis 22:11), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10), Simon (Luke 22:31), Martha (Luke 10:41), and Saul (Acts 9:4). He may have done this to denote importance or urgency. Or, it may symbolize our frequent failure to heed His call. We should be quick to heed His call, ready to listen, ready to respond, and ready to obey.
  1. God is Faithful. He knows You, and He is Merciful: (Exo. 3:6) – God identified Himself to Moses as the God of his father and the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses was afraid, he knew he had committed murder, and thought God had caught up with him. But instead, God showed him mercy and grace. He would use Moses to fulfill His promises to each of the three patriarchs. He would turn the Jews into a great nation and give them the promised land (Gen. 15:5; 17; 22:17; 26:4; 28:13; Heb. 11:12). By citing these 3 patriarchs, He showed that He is faithful to keep His promises. He will also keep His promises to you. You only need to have faith in Him.
  1. God is Compassionate. He cares for you and will not ignore your sufferings: (Ex. 3:7-9) – God told Moses to tell the elders that He cared about their sufferings and that He would free them from their oppression. Just as God cared for the suffering of the Jews , He cares about the suffering of all His people. He loved the world so much that He sent His son to die for every person (John 3:16-17).
  1. God Performs His Wonders and Miracles Through Ordinary People: (Ex. 3:10-12) – In his first objection to fulfilling God’s calling, Moses doubted and made excuses that anyone would listen to him. I don’t blame Moses. They rejected him once before, why would they treat him any different now? Rather than criticize Moses’ lack of faith, God encouraged him by promising to be with him. Although Moses lacked faith at this point in his walk with God, God showed that He is loving and forgiving. He seeks to build believers up in their faith. He wants believers to do the same with each other. Build each other up and encourage one another. So as you walk with God, He will speak through you (Matt. 10:19-20). Being old is never an excuse for failing to serve God, (Ex. 7:7). Being young is also never a good excuse for failing to serve God, (Jer. 1:6-10). The lesson here is that your age is never an excuse to ignore God’s calling in your life.
  1. God is Sovereign and in Control of the Future: (Ex. 3:13-20) – Brethren, God is eternal. Through His name, God reveals He is eternal, having always existed. When Moses asked if the sons of Israel asked him God’s name what was he to say to them? God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’, say to them, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “I AM” referred to His unchanging nature. In the New Testament, Jesus revealed that Moses in fact spoke with Him at the burning bush, (John 8:57-58). As the name suggests, Jesus also does not change: (Heb. 13:8). You do not need to fear the future, because God is in control of the future and will deliver His people to fulfill His promises. Just trust in Him.
  2. God will Provide for you: (Ex. 3:21-22) – God promised to provide for the Jews. Because God is just,  He also promised to ensure that the jews received compensation for their approximately 400 years of servitude. The lesson here, God has not forgotten you.He will meet you at your very point of need. He will restore all that was lost or stolen from you. You shall pursue and you shall overtake and recover all. But ensure to seek Him first and His righteousness, (Matt. 6:33).
  1. The journey of life may not always be smooth. Sometimes you may deal with difficult people: (EX.15:22-27; 16; 17:1-7; 32:7-35) – In Moses’ 40 – years of traveling through the wilderness he would have the responsibility to deal with difficult people. Likewise, today we can expect to deal with difficult people. Natural tendency is to respond with frustration and anger. In Moses’ case: Exodus 15 – Water of Marah, Exodus 16 – Manna in the Wilderness of Sin, Exodus 17 – Water from the rock in Rephidim, and Exodus 32 – Worshiping the golden calf. Even God Himself spoke concerning these people, that they were difficult to deal with, (Ex. 32:9). The lesson here for us is that in situations like this , cry to the Lord, (Exo. 15:3; 16:4; 17:4; 32:11); care for the people, (Ex. 15:25). Don’t give in to your emotions, control your own feelings, (Numbers 20:10; Psalm 37:8). Most importantly trust God and Continue your walk with God, (Ex. 31:31; Number 20:27). 

Lessons of the Day

  1. Obedience is the key to walking with God. We must be quick to listen, quick to respond, and quick to obey – Isaiah 1:19-20.
  2. Put your complete trust in God. It may not always make sense – Rev. 22:13
  3. Know that the Lord cares for you and He is very compassionate and will never forget you – Isaiah 49:14-16
  4. Cast all your cares on Him, He cares for you.
  5. Finally note, there is no excuse too great or too small to prevent you from serving or obeying God. Keep your faith in God and He will fulfill all His promises concerning you.

Shalom!

Complied by: Mark Olumese

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