Exodus is defined as a departure, a going out. For the children of Israel, that meant a departure from oppression, abuse and the hardships imposed by their captors, the Egyptians. For us, it means a departure from many of the smae things. Israel’s captors were the Egyptians. Our captors could be our surroundings, our situations/circumstances, our minds, our jobs, addictions, ourselves and more. Regardless of what holds us captive, we too, can or have experienced some sort of our own Exodus.
The Israelite’s life changed from the prosperous days of Joseph. Life ended as they knew it and over four hundred years, the bottom dropped out. Riches turned to poverty, ease turned to hardship, freedom turned to bondage, happiness turned to sadness and the list goes on. A small family turned into a great nation during this time and whether the Israelites believed it or not, God’s hand was at work fulfiling the very promises given to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14. The same promises God gave to the people in the Bible, are the very promises we should faithfully stand upon, as well. Yet in the troubled times in which these people lived, did they seriously think about or remember those promises? I seriously doubt it. How do I know?
Human nature hasnt changed much over time. When extreme situations hit, those situations become our focus. They consume our time, our efforts, our every thought. Who has time to think about promises that seem to never manifest? This stance hasnt changed much. Today, we still experience hardships and we still react to them in much the same way.
Most people when they read the story of Moses, miss so much. They read the words, they hear the story, but they fail to connect to the hearts and minds of the people spoken of. We dont think about what the people are feeling. We dont connect or experience the pain of the moment. We dont feel the backlash of the enemies blow to the different facets of their life. In doing so, we miss the greatest lessons taught in the stories.
Think about it. Have you ever asked yourself what Moses’ mother felt at the very moment of Moses’ birth? How about during the times he was hidden? Better yet, at the two moments she had to give him up? How do you think the people felt after Joseph died, seeing the times of prosperity change to 400 years of pain and hardship? Often we, as readers, fail to look at these stories from this perspective. We read, but we miss some key things along the way.
Moses was born during a dangerous and horrible time in history. His very life was in jeopardy and times were of extreme hardship and yet, his birth brought joy in the midst of dark moments. His parents, full of faith and trust in God, look upon these times as they were intended – as a blessing of God. Do we do the same in our times of trouble and darkness? Do we exercise our faith and trust in our Creator or do we focus on the situation before us?
Moses was destined for greatness, but oh, the cost he would pay for that higher calling. He was wrested from the only family he’d ever known, taken to a place he wasnt used to, to learn to become a person he knew nothing about. This was like moving to another planet for Moses. Moses had much to learn and many changes would take place within him before his ministry would begin. The process he underwent to become a honed instrument for God, is one we all experience while serving God. It is his life we will begin to learn about. It is his life that will inspire us to walk on. So prepare your mind for the journey.
Tags: Abraham, Addictions, Egypt, Egyptian, Exodus, Genesis, God, higher calling, History, Instrument of God, Israel, Israelites, journey, Ministry, Moses, Pain
November 13, 2008 at 11:47 pm |
Love the introduction to the life of Moses. I agree, we often times miss the full story including the hurt and joys of those referenced in the scripture. I believe complete understanding will help us to put our circumstances in proper perspective. Great reading.
December 13, 2008 at 1:57 pm |
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