Despite the abundance of material wealth and goods we have in America, discontentment is a major temptation for God’s people. We know we should be thankful, but we can’t seem to shake the temptation to want things to be more comfortable, less difficult, and better suited to our desires. Grumbling is so common in America, we greet people with it. They ask, “How are you doing?” We respond, “Doing fine. Busy. Wish this weather would cool down… I wish work would slow down… I wish I didn’t have such a hectic schedule.” Okay, maybe it’s just me.

This isn’t to say that we don’t have real struggles. Rather, it’s how we handle them that matters. Moms are busy and exhausted. Dads are drained and in need of a nap. Teachers are burning out. Students are overburdened with homework and sports. Shift workers are in a sleep-deprived daze. We all face hardships on a regular basis, yet most of us have all of our basic needs and many of our wants met.

If we struggle with grumbling with all of this abundance, how will we survive a test of our faith? This is one of my biggest struggles. Fear often sets in. I wonder to myself, “If I can’t be content and stop complaining with all the blessings I currently have, how will I respond to a crisis or a test of my faith?” That’s what Moses and Israel show us in Exodus 15.

Testing and Grumbling

In Exodus, the Israelites found themselves tested at the most basic level of human needs: thirst. After escaping from Egypt and journeying into the wilderness, they went three days without finding any water. Imagine the desperation they must have felt, knowing that they needed water not only for themselves but also for their families. When they finally found water at Marah, their relief quickly turned to disappointment as it was too bitter to drink. Their response was a mixture of a valid question and a sinful attitude: "What are we going to drink?" (v. 24). It was a legitimate question given their circumstances, but their grumbling against Moses revealed their sinful attitude.

Grumbling is common to us all when we face difficulties. We complain about our circumstances, question God's provision, and often direct our frustration at others. However, Scripture warns us against grumbling, emphasizing that it is a sinful attitude. It rejects God as our Provider, expresses discontentment and pride, and reveals a lack of faith and joy. Grumbling reveals eyes that aren’t fixed on Jesus, leading us further away from God's face.

The first lesson we can draw from this story is the importance of seeking God in the midst of our tests. Instead of grumbling, we should turn to Him with our concerns and questions. We must acknowledge that the LORD is the ultimate provider and trust that He can either change our situation, grow us in the situation, or do both. 

Praying for God's Gracious Answer

The Israelites' experience at Marah teaches us not only to avoid grumbling but also to pray earnestly for God’s gracious answer. Moses didn't argue, fight, or defend himself when the people grumbled; instead, he cried out to the Lord. He prayed with earnest emotion and sought God’s power and help.

This response serves as a powerful lesson for us today. When we face challenges or when others grumble against us, our first instinct should be to pray. Prayer could prevent a lot arguments, fights, defensiveness, or grumbling. God's response to Moses was both tangible and powerful: He showed Moses a log, instructing him on what to do with it. Moses obediently followed God's guidance, though even Moses may have wondered how this tree would purify the undrinkable water. As a result, the bitter water turned sweet, demonstrating God's miraculous power.

From this, we learn three essential aspects of prayer during tests. First, we should pray earnestly, using the appropriate emotions to match our circumstances. Second, we should look for an answer, expecting God to step in, even when His ways don't align with our understanding (Isa. 55:8-9). Third, we must obey God's instructions when He answers our prayers. Sometimes, obedience is the key to experiencing the transformational power of God's grace, and the power to obey comes by the grace of God.

Committing to Grace-Driven Obedience

This scene at Marah also highlights the importance of obedience in our walk of faith. In response to their testing, God gave the Israelites a rule and a statute, setting out four "ifs" that outlined His expectations. He called them to listen to His voice, do what was right in His eyes, give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes. If the Israelites obeyed, they would be spared from God's judgment and know Him as their healer.

It's crucial to understand that God's laws are not given to harm us but to help us thrive. They reveal the righteousness of God and our need for Christ's perfection. The commands of God ultimately point us to Jesus’ active obedience and perfection on our behalf. When we recognize our inability to keep the law perfectly, we can turn to Christ, who lived a perfect life and paid the price for our sins. He created the world, passed the test we couldn’t pass, took our penalty for failing, rose again, and will return to make the world perfectly new. One day there will be no more testing and no more bitter water because He will make all things new.

Grace-driven obedience, then, is the natural response to God's grace in our lives. We were once slaves to sin, but God set us free through His grace. We have been redeemed and purified for the purpose of good works. This gospel transformation leads us to seek God's will in every aspect of our lives, striving to obey Him joyfully.

Abiding in the LORD and His Abundance

After the test at Marah and the command to obey, God led the Israelites to Elim, a place of abundance. Elim was named for its towering terebinth trees, offering not only twelve springs but also seventy palm trees. It was a place of perfection and plenty, a stark contrast to the waterless journey and the bitterness of Marah on the way.

Elim serves as a reminder to us that God provides for His people both physically and spiritually. He meets our physical needs, ensuring that we lack no essential needs. Of eternal importance, He offers spiritual rest and restoration, inviting us to come to Him and find rest for our souls (Mt. 11:28). Elim teaches us to rest in God's abundant provision and to abide in His presence, recognizing that He is our Shepherd who leads us beside still waters (Psalm 23:1-6).

What Will We Choose?

In times of testing, we can either grumble in despair or cry out to God in faith, trusting in His grace to meet us in our need. The story of Marah in the book of Exodus illustrates the transformative power of God's grace when we seek Him in our trials, pray earnestly for His guidance, commit to grace-driven obedience, and rest in His abundance.

No matter what challenges we face, we can take comfort in knowing that God's grace is sufficient. His grace can make the bitter sweet and give rest to those who are exhausted. So, as we encounter tests of our faith, let us remember the lessons from Marah and trust that when we seek God, He will indeed meet us with His grace.

Reflection Questions: 
1. How can we turn moments of suffering into opportunities for seeking God's grace and guidance? How might this help us move from grumbling to gratitude?
2. In what ways can we practically cultivate a habit of grace-driven obedience in seasons of difficulty? How can we put off grumbling as we obey God in times when obedience is tough?
3. What practical steps can we take to rest in God's abundant provision and find contentment, even in the midst of life's trials and challenges?

Prayer Points:

1. Confess the times that you've grumbled against God or others for your circumstances. Pray that God would help you see grumbling as He sees it. Ask for the transforming grace to turn away from it.
2. Are you in a time of testing? If yes, pray earnestly for the LORD to provide for you and comfort you. If no, pray earnestly for someone else who is going through a trial.
3. Seek the Spirit's power for obedience. Ask Him to reveal at least ONE specific way that you can be more obedience, and commit to obedience with God's help.
4. Abide in the presence of Christ. Take some time to acknowledge God's presence. Be still in the presence of God and enjoy a few moments of solitude. Don't rush away. Don't let your thoughts linger. Focus your heart and soul on God. 

Unfulfilled dreams remind us just how tiny we are. We sense a call and decide it’s time to take action. We put one foot in front of the other as we step toward obedience, but we end up stepping in a hole and rolling an ankle—maybe that’s just me! The sense of independence and strength flies away like a flock of birds at the sound of a shotgun. We stagger to our feet only to wonder, “Is this really what I was meant to do?”. Whether it’s marriage, parenting, ministry, or fill-in-the-blank, most people have faced a moment where life doesn’t seem to make sense at all.

However, God does some of His most powerful work when we realize we are powerless. Jesus made this point when He told His disciples, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Moses and Aaron learned this early in their redemptive ministry, and we need to learn it in our everyday lives as well.

The LORD at Work
After Pharaoh outright rejected Moses and made him a stink to the Israelites, Moses cried out, asking God why He made things worse instead of rescuing the Israelites. Things had gone from bad to worse, but God had a plan: “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand, he will send them out, and with a strong hand, he will drive them out of his land” (Exo. 6:1).

Moses and Aaron were instruments in the hand of the redeemer, but YHWH is the hero of this story, and He made that clear early on. Four times we read “I am the LORD” (Exo. 6:2, 6-8). YHWH is here to take action. The covenant-keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remembered His covenant—though He had never forgotten it—and came to give the promised land to Israel. “I will” reverberates throughout God’s speech with unspeakable power and glory (Exo. 6:6-8). I will deliver you from slavery! I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment! I will take you to be my people! I will be your God! I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I will give it to you—I am the LORD!

Slow down and re-read those words. Let the power land on you. The Almighty God, El Shaddai, is now making Himself known as YHWH. He is not only the powerful, discerning, law-giving protector. He is also the self-existent, covenant-keeping, redeeming God. As Boaz came and bought Ruth and Naomi’s freedom when they had no next-of-kin, so YHWH came to be the redeemer (Heb. go’el) who would carry the burdens of poverty-stricken, sin-sick people like us (Ruth 4:9-10, 13). In all of His redemptive work, He had a clear purpose: to make Himself known (Exo. 6:2, 7). Jesus came and redeemed us with the same glorious goal in mind (John 17:3).

Weary People
We might expect that such words be met with a hearty amen and awe-inspiring worship. Yet, how often do the burdens of life keep us from reverent awe and joy? Perhaps even now as you peruse the contents of this devotional, your heart isn’t singing with praise to God. Maybe you’re too burdened, too distracted, or too worn down to fully appreciate the LORD’s words to Israel. The Israelites struggled because their broken spirits and harsh slavery were too heavy (Exo. 6:9). Perhaps like the Israelites, you struggle to believe God’s Word simply because you’re beaten down and worn out.

There’s good news for you. Christ came for weary, heavy-laden people (Matt. 11:28). Even when we meet God with apathy, fear, and unbelief, He doesn’t stop working. Just as God told Moses and Aaron to keep going and not lose sight of their mission, so He sent Christ to rescue His sinful enemies to reconcile us to God (Rom. 5:6-11). Weary saints, come to the cross of Christ! Lay your burdens down at His feet and rejoice with genuine hope that you are freed from bondage to sin and death. In Christ, you can truly say, “Pharaoh No! You cannot hold me back!”

Pastors and church leaders, there’s a specific lesson in the lives of Moses and Aaron. Many days we are overworked. Our labor is often overlooked. Our burdens are forgotten. Our frustrations and failures are broadcast for all to see. Yet, God is relentless in carrying out the plans He has for His Kingdom. 

When we are at our wit’s end, we stop relying on our own knowledge and lean on the wisdom of God. When we are ignored, we recognize that our eloquence is unable to change hearts (1 Cor. 2:1). When we feel that our lips are “uncircumcised” and wonder how anyone would listen to us, God has us right where we need to be (Exo. 6:30). In these moments, we can rest in two powerful words, “I will”. When we can’t do what God has called us to do, His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Leaders, we must strive to be people who find power in God’s sufficient grace. He will establish our ministries and give us the validity we need to be effective (Exo. 6:14-30).

Reflection Questions

1. Is your relationship with the LORD growing and thriving? Or is it shriveling and languishing? How is God at work in your struggles? 
2. How has Exodus 6 encouraged you to trust the LORD in your trials? 
3. How can we pray for and support our leaders in the challenges they face in ministry? What are some gospel encouragements you can offer our leaders this week?

Prayer Points

1. Confess your prayerlessness to the LORD. Ask Him to give you a greater desire to know and trust Him, even when times are stressful and difficult.
2. Seek God's perspective on your trials. Beyond asking Him to deliver you, ask Him to show you specific ways He is at work in you and your circumstances.
3. Worship God for His power and promises. Celebrate His power over the world and our leaders. Rejoice and receive His gracious promises. Thank Him for being the faithful, covenant-keeping God of His people today and of our forefathers in the faith.
4. Ask God to strengthen our leaders for ministry. Specifically, pray for our pastors as they prepare to preach the Word, lead the congregation, and guard us from evil influences. Pray for their devotional lives and their families, knowing that they can't faithfully minister to us if they don't first know the LORD and lead their homes well.

​

Pharoah’s response probably would have been the same, but it seems that Moses’ approach added fuel to the fire (Ex. 5:2). Pharaoh’s arrogant, sinful, and bewildered response seems to have made Moses change his tune, but it was too late (v. 3). Even in his correcting his request, Moses adds to God’s words the threat of pestilence and sword. Pharaoh remained unfazed.

The Burden Worsened

Pharaoah, annoyed and angry, convinced himself that the Israelites were “idle” (v. 4-8). To counter this so-called laziness, Pharaoh increased the Hebrews’ labor by forcing them to find straw to make their bricks. This meant that the Hebrew slave force had to do more work in less time. In it all, Pharaoh’s wicked and unmerciful response didn’t catch God off guard (Ex. 4:21).

Pharaoh’s persecution meant that the Hebrews were “scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble and straw” (v. 12). This brings to mind Acts 8:1 where “there arose…a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles”. In Acts, the scattered church spread the gospel. In Exodus, the scattered Israelites were loved by God and perhaps given an avenue to later plunder the Egyptians (Exo. 12:35-36). Man meant evil, but God meant good.

Pharaoh unflinchingly placed the blame on the Israelites and their desire to go and sacrifice to the Lord (v. 17). The Israelites were “in trouble”, and the elders rebuked Moses and Aaron, saying, “The LORD look on you and judge because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us” (v. 19-21).

The Call In Question

The consequences of Moses’ actions reached the people of Israel, and they were deeply grieved because their lives were endangered. Moses, too, fell flat on his face—or so it seemed. Hadn’t he told God this wouldn’t work? Didn’t he tell God that the Pharaoh wouldn’t listen to him? Why on earth would God set him up to fail like this?! 

Moses and Israel were on the brink of a major breakthrough.

In this moment, Moses accused God of “doing evil” (Heb. ra) to the people who were “in trouble” (Heb. ra) (v. 19). God sent them to Pharaoh, and Pharaoh immediately began “doing evil” (Heb. ra) to them (v. 22-23). Moses used the same Hebrew word, ra, to accuse both God and Pharaoh of harming the Israelites. In Moses’ mind, he had shown up and done what he was told, but Israelites were further from freedom than before he left Midian. In the face of tribulation, Moses acted like Adam, his forefather: “The command You gave backfired, and now everything is worse!” (see Gen. 3:12).

We ought to see a reflection of ourselves in Moses. We feel the pressing need to be a better parent, spouse, or employee. We sense that God calls us to engage our loved ones, friends, and neighbors with the gospel. We eventually step out in faith to do what God commands, and we end up flat on our backs like Charlie Brown trying to kick Lucy’s football. We reason with ourselves that we should’ve stayed in our comfort zone. We vow that if God wants us to risk our comfort, security, and sanity again, He’ll have to send an angel in a dream. We blow our tops and blame Him for messing everything up. 

All of this happens because we have the wrong definition of success. 

Faithfulness Is Never Failure

Instead of punishing Moses in His just wrath or answering him in a fierce storm (see Job 38:1-7), God answered more gently and mercifully than Moses deserved. We don’t hear God’s tone, and we don’t get a full sense of His outward expression in the conversation, but God’s tenderness shows up profoundly in HIs gracious response.

Instead of thundering at Moses in a frightening display of glory, “God said to Moses…”. God spoke. He said, “You shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land” (Exo. 6:1). God reserved His strong hand and punishment for the idolatrous Egypt and their leader, not Moses. Pharaoh wouldn’t only let the people go, he would drive them away after seeing what God’s acts of judgment. God already told Moses that success wouldn’t happen on day one. Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened and He would do signs and wonders, even the killing of his firstborn of Moses’ household (Exo. 4:23).

When we define success on our own terms, nearly all suffering and resistance will derail us. We need God’s definition of success, and that’s found by looking to His promises. We need to constantly behold the cross where hardship and holiness met to bring ultimate success to the Son of God as He came to free His people from sin and death once and for all.

Reflection Questions
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• How do you respond when situations don't work out as smoothly as expected? Do you get anxious, angry with God, or have another response? Why?
• What is your definition of success? How does this definition confirm or conflict with God's definition? What are some biblical passages that can help you better understand God's definition of success?
• How can Christ's finished work on the cross shape our view of success in the face of suffering? How does our future hope of eternal life empower us to press on in the faith even when we feel like failures and want to quit?

Prayer Points
 

• Worship God in your suffering. What areas of your life seem out of control or make you feel like a failure? Before you lament or ask God to change your circumstances, worship Him in it. Proclaim His goodness, faithfulness, and holiness.
• Ask God to teach you His definition of success. Whatever your general or specific callings are, ask God to redefine your definition of success. Pray for the Spirit to prompt you with Scripture passages to help you do this.
• Glory in the cross. Reflect on the work Jesus did for you on the cross. Praise God for His mercy and patience toward you in your sins, fears, and shortcomings. Worship Christ for His faithfulness to die on the cross for your sins. Glorify the Holy Spirit for giving you spiritual eyes and ears to see and believe the gospel.

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Children remind us of our human weaknesses. From a child's perspective, a chore that should only take five minutes seems to take fifty minutes. Instead of just starting, they agonize in paralysis. This always makes things worse. I've seen the same struggle in my heart when God is calling me to simple yet costly obedience. After some whining, debating, and griping, God patiently stirs me to obedience. Rarely do I find instant success, but I always find freedom in obedience. Even after moving forward, I find that I often still need to be prodded in the right direction. A Divine nudge is often just what I need to stay on track. Moses found himself in a similar place near the end of Exodus 4.

Fits and Starts (v. 18-23)

Moses spent a lot of time excusing himself from doing God's will before he took the first step of following God. Moses spoke to his father-in-law Jethro about taking his family back to his brothers to “see if they [were] still alive” (v. 18). Jethro sent Moses forward in peace, perhaps not knowing the full extent of what Moses would be doing there. Whether this was due to cowardice or not, Moses took the first step in obeying God.

Upon leaving, Moses 'took the staff of God in his hand' (v. 20). The LORD reminded him of the “miracles” in His power (v. 21). This miraculous power would not change Pharaoh's heart or make the mission easier, but it was a tangible reminder of God's power for the mission. Moses would request that Pharaoh let Israel, God's firstborn son, go to serve and worship Him. However, God planned to harden Pharaoh's heart and eventually pour out His just wrath on Pharaoh's firstborn son.

Sometimes God doesn't make a difficult calling easier for us. We grumble, whine, and retort, and He graciously says, “No, child. You're going to do what I sent you to do. My presence and power will be with you.” We see difficulty and think there's no way out. Yet, as Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) wisely reminds us, we should “think not much of a storm upon the sea when Christ is on the ship.” Despite our feeble faith, when we go forward with the presence of God, we have no reason to fear. The mustard seed of faith is enough, and God moves the mountain for us. Oh, how sweet it is to follow God's call in full faith!

Partial Obedience Is Disobedience (v. 24-26)

In Exodus 4:24-26, we encounter one of the most perplexing passages in all of Scripture. It's as if we had a bumpy takeoff, the flight gradually smoothed out, and now a storm threatens to send us pummeling into a cornfield somewhere in the Midwest. A jarring phrase grips us and demands our attention: “At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met him and sought to put him to death” (v. 24). After all we've just worked through, why on earth would this be happening? It seems that Moses refused to circumcise his son.

As we've often seen in Exodus, God used a woman's actions to bring forth His glory and move His mission forward. Moses, the “bridegroom of blood”, isn't the hero in this situation (v. 25-26). This is the mercy of God. When Moses didn't step up to the task, Moses' Midianite wife circumcised his son and spared his life instead. This, too, is the mercy of God. Despite an intense encounter with the Holy God, God spared Moses's life—or perhaps the life of his son. God dealt graciously with Moses, and He often does the same for us. God shows us mercy because Jesus is a “merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God” who accomplished forgiveness on our behalf (Heb. 2:17).

Moses' half-hearted obedience to God met the wholehearted grace of God. Lamentations 3:33 reminds us of this truth: “[God] doesn't afflict from His heart or grieve the children of men.” He doesn't delight in casting off or causing grief, and He loves to show compassion to those whom He grieves through discipline. God's pruning is painful, but He binds up our wounds with care. When He restores us, He “rejoices” in doing us good and brings restoration with all His heart and soul (Jer. 32:41). Remember that you're a dearly loved child of God when you are under His disciplining rod.

Fear is a False Prophet (v. 27-31)

God had prepared Moses to obey Him even in the small details, and now He was pleased to move the mission forward. He called Aaron to meet Moses at the mountain of God, and Aaron gladly met Moses with a brotherly kiss. In contrast to Moses' back-and-forth, Aaron readily listened to all that God commanded Moses to speak to him. Next, they gathered Israel's elders, and Aaron spoke the words the LORD gave him through Moses. The elders then witnessed the signs of God—the serpent staff, the leprous hand, and the bloody Nile water. Upon seeing these miracles, 'the people believed' (v. 31). Upon hearing that the LORD came to rescue them and indeed saw their affliction, they 'bowed their heads and worshiped' Him (v. 31).

What a powerful scene! After all the wrestling, debating, and questioning, Moses was wrong after all! God said, “They will listen to your voice” (3:18), but Moses’ fear said, “They will not believe me or listen to my voice” (4:1). So often, fear proves to be a false prophet! We envision a future reality based on a present fear, and God repeatedly proves us wrong. We need to listen and trust our faithful, covenant-keeping God far more. We need to heed the words of David Clarkson (1622-1686) who said, “If [God] is willing to promise, he is willing to perform.”

There is far more ink spilled laying out Moses’ fears and inadequacies than on the receptive meeting with Israel’s elders. What an overwhelming picture of success and God’s faithfulness! We should always be quick to remember this as we go forward both in our general and specific callings. Jesus said, “I will be with you always until the end of the age” (Mat. 28:20), and He won’t back down on that promise. God cannot lie, and He never fails. 

Reflection Questions

1. When faced with tasks that seem overwhelming, how do the gospel and the faithfulness of God help you move forward in faith?
2. In what ways have you experienced God stirring and guiding you towards obedience, even when you initially question His call?
3. Where do you see fear showing up in your life? How can you confront and overcome the false prophecies your fear lays in front of you?

Prayer Points

1. Thank God for stirring you to obedience. Thank God for the numerous times He has stirred you to obedience. Ask Him to give you a heart that is sensitive to His Word.
2. Confess your half-hearted obedience. Confess and ask for the grace to repent of half-hearted, faithless obedience. Pray for the faith to obey God fully.
3. Seek God’s peace in your fear and anxiety. Cast your anxieties on the Lord and ask Him give you the peace which surpasses understanding. Acknowledge to God that this doesn’t mean your situation will be easy, but that you’re willing to rest in His presence and power.

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As a father of four girls, chore time comes with its fair share of groaning and complaining. Far too often, chore time turns into, “It’s too much! We can’t do it!”. My logical side kicks in, and I tell them to do one thing at a time, and eventually the whole room will be clean. That’s met with more excuses. I then say, if you start cleaning, I’ll help you. Even that’s met with more excuses. Eventually, the chores get done, and the excuses vanish into thin air 5-10 minutes after they put for the effort. 

Excuses, Excuses…

After receiving his calling from the LORD, Moses had many valid excuses—from a human perspective at least. Let’s look at his first excuse: “[The Israelite slaves] will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say 'The LORD did not appear to you'" (v. 1). Forty years prior, some Hebrews rejected him after his heroic attempts to take justice into his own hands. What would change forty years later? If you’re a close reader, you probably noticed back in chapter 3 that God said, "... and they will listen to your voice" (3:18). Like Eve in the face of the serpent, Moses had heard and believed the exact opposite of what God clearly spoke.

His next excuse hits a lot closer to home for many of us: "I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue" (v. 10). He's basically saying, "God, I'm not a great public speaker... and I have a heavy tongue." Whether Moses had a speech impediment or simply didn’t feel up to the task, he expressed that God had chosen the wrong man. Some scholars even think Moses criticized God when he said, "I've never had a good mouth, not before or even after we've spoken" (v. 10; paraphrase). If God knew Moses wasn't a good speaker, why would He choose such a guy for this massive task?!

His final excuse isn't quite an excuse but rather a plea to get out of the situation altogether. Depleted and weary, Moses finally gives up debating and dialoguing with God and kindly asks the Lord to send someone else" (v. 13, emphasis added). Despite God's signs and sovereign power, Moses just can't seem to accept this weighty task God has given him.

If we look closely enough, we might be peering into a mirror as we read this passage. What is your greatest fear as a Christian? Are you afraid to evangelize because you'll be ridiculed in front of a friend or family member? Do you fear taking a bold stance because you'll be canceled and shut down by the influential people in our society? Are you fearful of persecution? Is failure in ministry what keeps you up at night? Like Moses, we all have fears, and they make us feel inadequate for the work of God. We, too, wrestle with God and tell Him what we can or can't do. Oh, that we would trust Him more!

Extravagant Mercy

God had every right to take the call away from Moses and give it to someone else, but in light of all his excuses, God poured out His infinite mercy on Moses. When Moses questioned whether the people would listen, God gave Moses three powerful signs. These signs foreshadowed the power He would display in the presence of Pharaoh. Moses' staff turned into a snake, his hand became leprous, and the Nile's water turned to blood. The LORD was powerful over the dangers we fear in this life—especially things that could harm us, like deadly animals, disease, or lack of clean water.

When Moses's weak speech made him feel inadequate, God responded yet again with mercy! As he did with Job, God questioned Moses: "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" (v. 11). In other words, God said, "I know your mouth because I made your mouth!" Then, in Great Commission fashion, the LORD told Moses, "Therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak" (v. 12; compare this with Mat. 28:19-20; Joh. 16:12-15). Instead of punishment, God promised Moses His presence!

After this, Moses ought to have surely trusted God, right? He didn’t. Instead, he asked God to please send someone else. At this, "the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses" (v. 14). God was perfectly and righteously angry with Moses. At this moment, He could have poured out His full fiery wrath on Moses' unbelief and arguing. Instead, God brought Aaron, Moses' well-spoken brother, with a glad heart to assist Moses in fulfilling this mighty call. God would still teach and speak to Moses, but now Moses would be "as God to [Aaron]" (v. 16). Aaron wasn't Moses' replacement, for Moses still kept the staff (v. 17). But Aaron would prove to be both a mouthpiece and a menace in Moses' life and ministry (Exo. 32:1ff).

As it was with Moses, so it was with David, Jeremiah, Peter, and Paul. God calls weak men to His work, and He shows them the mercy and grace they need to press forward on His mission. The man God uses isn't the one with the most grit, bravery, discipline, or zeal. The woman God uses isn't the woman with the most industrious, witty, nurturing spirit. Rather, God uses weak people to shame the strong in order for His glory to shine through (1 Cor. 1:27). We see this vividly in the story of Moses and Israel as God frees them from Pharaoh's grip.

Mercy for Us

Thanks be to God that He showed mercy to Moses. And we owe Him more thanks for showing mercy to us, too! As we've already seen, we stutter and stammer. We argue and debate with God. We hide behind our fig leaves as we fear failure. We wait for the big shots to come and speak for us. Yet in it all, God has new mercies for us every morning (Lam. 3:22-23). His steadfast love endures forever. His grace powers our lives as we live out His mission.

The greatest mercy we have ever seen is found in these few short words: "I am with you." The LORD said it to Moses (v. 12). Our Lord said it to the Church (Mat. 28:20). The Holy Spirit applies it to our hearts (Tit. 3:4-8; Rom. 8:9-11). God is with us because of His mercy, and He displayed His love and desire to walk with us and our neighbors by sending His Son to die on the cross. What a glorious picture of our merciful God!

Reflection Questions:

• What excuses do we often make when faced with God's specific calling or general calls to obedience?
• How does the gospel help us overcome our doubts and trust in God's promises and power?
• In what areas of our lives do we need to rely more on God's mercy rather focusing on our inabilities?
• How can we support and encourage other believers who struggle with fears and reluctance to live out God’s mission in their lives?
• What steps can we take to build a deeper relationship with God and rely on His presence in our lives and mission?

Prayer Points

1. Confess your fears to God. As you reflect on things you’re afraid of, confess them to God and ask Him to replace your fears with faith in Him.
2. Rejoice in God’s mercy. Spend a few moments celebrating and rejoicing in God's mercy toward you. Rejoice not only in the mercy shown through the gospel but also new daily mercies God is giving you.
3. Seek and follow God’s call in your life. As you read the Bible, pray, and reflect on Moses’s calling, ask God to show you clear, specific ways He wants you to live out the great commission. Even if you don’t sense a response or a profound sense of calling, pray for specific ways to obey God’s Word today.

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There is currently a mutiny underway in Russia. The Wagner group, which once offered protection, is no longer trustworthy in supporting the nation's leadership. Russians in the path of the Wagner group are in a tough situation. Should they trust this militia to take over the government and bring positive change to the nation? Or Is this a power-hungry group looking to step in and usher in a reign of terror worse than Putin's? There is a great level of uncertainty about who will come out on top and ultimately rule Russia. Russians can only wait and see.

The ancient Hebrews found themselves under a similarly abusive regime, though redemption was like a distant fantasy for them. Egypt oppressed the ancient Israelites and they often lofted deep cries of grief up to God. An answer would soon come, but could they trust that it was truly a work of God? Could an Egyptian mutiny spring up that would change their lives for the better? Or could an uprising only make their lives worse?

The God Who Is

After God met Moses in the burning bush and received his call to redeem Egypt, he had a question for God: "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" (Exo. 3:13). Despite Moses’ “if”, this is a valid question. There may have been a hint of fear or hesitation, but there also seems to be some humility in the question. Did Moses genuinely want to know the name of God? Was he showing humility in realizing that he needed a higher authority than himself? We may never know.

God patiently answered Moses in a loving yet revelatory way: "I AM WHO I AM" (v. 14). He told Moses to relay to the Hebrews that "I AM" sent him. Moses should tell the Israelites that "the LORD (YHWH) the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you." (v.15). YHWH comes from the same Hebrew root as “I AM”, and is commonly written as Yahweh or Jehovah in English. The Old Testament writers wrote YHWH throughout the Old Testament at least 5,000 times, and our translations use LORD to indicate when YHWH is used.

Though Moses asked for God's name, it isn’t necessary to assume that the Hebrews didn't know God's name. We have reasons to believe that the Israelites knew the name of God, for they "began to call upon the name of the Lord" all the way back in the days of Seth (Gen. 4:26). This would make Moses’ question much more genuine. Yet, even if the people didn't know the name of the Lord prior to this revelation to Moses, they soon would call on the name of the LORD. YHWH is God's name forever, and He chose to be remembered by that name throughout all generations (v. 15).

What's In a Name?

Names carry less weight today than they did in times past. A name captured the essence or heart of a person, and knowing God's name was vital in a culture full of pantheism and polytheism. Puritans like Matthew Poole, Lewis Bayley, and Thomas Boston found much significance in the name "I AM WHO I AM":

• "I AM" points to the reality of God's being. He simply "is". He was what He was. He is what He is. He will be what He will be. But He always will be.
• "I AM" also reminds us of the necessity of God. It is necessary that God exists in order for everything else to exist.
• "I AM" draws us to the eternal nature of God. He has always existed and He will always exist.
• "I AM" directs us to the certainty of God's nature. He will never change, nor will His promises or His words ever fail to come to pass.

YHWH in the Flesh

As we look further in the Scripture, we also see the name and essence of YHWH applied to Jesus. Here are only a couple of examples:

• Jesus called Himself "I AM". Jesus said to His Jewish opponents, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am" (Joh. 8:58). This caused his opponents to pick up stones to kill Him because they felt that He was blaspheming God's name.
• The early church taught that Jesus is "I AM". The author of Hebrews explcitly taught that Jesus is God, especially in Hebrews 1. One passage he cited to teach us about the deity of Jesus is Psalm 102, which repeatedly addresses the LORD (YHWH), His throne, and His work in creation. This passage is directly applied to Jesus to show that He is one with YHWH in His creation, rule, and reign.
• John the Apostle saw the eternal Christ in His vision. In Revelation 1:8, we don't see the name YHWH, yet we see Jesus say, "I am the Alpha and the Omega... who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty". This is the meaning of "I AM WHO I AM". In His essence, Jesus is YHWH.

The unity of God is on full display as we see Jesus at one with His Father and the Holy Spirit.

The Faithful, Living God

After God revealed Himself to Moses, He called Moses to rally together the elders of Israel. God commanded Moses to let them know that the faithful, covenant-keeping God of their forefathers—YHWH—had seen what they were going through and came down to rescue them and bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. This land was currently a full of different people groups who worshiped other gods and were soon to receive the just judgment of God for their idolatry.

God would soon send Moses and the elders with a message: "The LORD... has met with us; and now please let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to our God" (v. 18). Keep these words in mind for later. God also reminded Moses that Pharaoh would harden his heart and refuse to listen. The LORD would work signs and wonders to force Pharaoh to let the people go, and on their way out, the women of Israel would plunder the Egyptians as they moved on toward freedom. YHWH would crush the greatest nation in the world through a weak yet faithful man, a group of women, and no military violence. Only He can get the glory for something so incredible!

Reflection Questions:

1. Why is it significant that God revealed His name and HIs essence to Moses and Israel? How can our knowledge of God’s name shape our private and public worship today?
2. How does the meaning of God's name, "I AM WHO I AM," impact our worldview? In other words, what are some ways that having faith in a living God can set us apart from people who worse false gods or profess no faith at all?
3. How have you struggled to desire God’s call to evangelize and spread the gospel? What are some of the “If I...” questions you ask God when you’re fearful or reluctant to obey Him?
4. How can the lessons from God's intervention in rescuing the Hebrews and choosing a faithful but weak leader like Moses help us see the work God can do through us? How have you seen God use other weak people for His glory?
5. How does the knowledge that Jesus is intimately and eternally one with YHWH help you trust Him more? How can that knowledge of Jesus be useful in evangelism and in answering objections or questions about the gospel?

Prayer Points:
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1. Pray for God to remind you of His name and essence (v. 13-15) Pray that God would give you a deeper appreciation for who He is and has revealed Himself to be. Thank Him that He has given us intimate knowledge of Himself through His Word.
2. Ask for faith in the Word and promises of God (v. 16-17). The ultimate promise of God is that He will rescue all who trust in Christ. Pray that God would help you believe the gospel more deeply every day. Ask also for the Spirit to prompt you of other promises of God as you go throughout your day.
3. Confess disobedience and pray for a submissive heart toward God (v. 18-22). Like Moses, God has laid out His plans and His way for us. We should confess times when we pursue our own way or attempt to do God’s work according to our preferences and standards. Ask for a heart that submits to the rule and reign of Christ in any and every aspect of life.

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Too often, we try to take things into our own hands. We see a leak, grab the wrench, and four hours later, we're calling the plumber or our father-in-law to come and fix the problem. What could've been a quick fix for the right person becomes a frustrating nightmare of a problem that costs us time, energy, and more money than we'd like to spend.

Some of you learn quickly not to get in over your heads. Others of us have to keep hearing the same lecture over and over again because we're hard-headed. Moses can resonate with those of us who are slow to learn. His first passionate outburst is on full display in Exodus 2:11-15.

Moses' Passion
At forty years old, Moses decided to go out to his people and look upon their burdens. Imagine the grief he must've felt to see his flesh and blood relatives subjected to the horrific evils of Egyptian slavery. As he watched, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew who was "one of his people" (v. 11). The English doesn't fully convey it, but the Hebrew root word "nakah" carries with it the idea of beating someone to inflict injury, sometimes even to death. In what seems to be a mixture of passion, justice, and rage, Moses looked one way, then another, and he "struck down" (nakah) the Egyptian in defense of his relative. To cover up what he did, Moses buried the man's body in the sand.

For centuries, biblical interpreters have debated whether Moses was in the wrong or not. Opposing Moses' actions, Alec Motyer, a well-known scholar and lover of the Old Testament, says, "Humanly speaking, we would say Moses promptly got it all wrong and set God's [program] back by forty years." In defense of Moses, John Calvin said that he "was armed by God's command.” Acts 7 sheds light that at least Moses' motives were to "defend the oppressed man" and avenge him (Acts 7:24-25). Hebrews 11 seems to show that Moses did this to "be mistreated with the people of God" rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin and the treasures of Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-26).

It seems that Moses' desires were good, but his actions went too far. Yet, even if we take the stance that Moses was justified in the killing, we ought not to take it as a command or example for us to follow. Rather, Paul later calls us to "never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God" (Rom. 12:19). His "heart" (Acts 7:23) was set on forsaking his Egyptian rights to suffer with Israel, something that points to Jesus forsaking the riches of heaven to become poor for those who trust in Him (2 Cor 8:9).
 
Moses' Detour
The next day, Moses saw two of his Hebrew brothers fighting, and he asked the one in the wrong, "Why do you strike (nakah) your companion?" (v. 13). The Hebrew aggressor then asked, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" (v. 14). Uh-oh. What Moses thought was his big secret had already spread and would soon have Pharaoh coming for his neck—something he'd already escaped once! Moses was afraid because his murder had been made known, and he fled to Midian after hearing that Pharaoh was after him.

What a mess Moses was in! Yet it's hard to fault him for his passion

.As a black man, it's tough to fathom what it must've felt like for a free slave to see an enslaved African in America. Oh, what grief and anger a Jew must've felt toward the Nazis! The consequences of Moses' violence led him to a forty-year detour. Unlike Joseph, his actions got him in trouble, but just like Joseph, God was up to something.

God meant it all for good. In Midian, Moses found a wife, Zipporah, and had two sons. He found a father-in-law, Reuel (also called Jethro). He learned to shepherd as he dwelt among a people described by Philip Ryken as "a tribe of desert nomads." If you look ahead to Exodus 3, you'll even see that God used the wilderness in Midian to prepare Moses for his next season of ministry in the wilderness with Israel. What gracious providence God was working out in the life of Moses during this forty-year wilderness detour in Midian!

God's Preparation
Zooming back out, we see that in those forty years, the king of Egypt died. The people of Israel still groaned under slavery, and they cried out to God for help! Close your eyes and imagine a mother and a father crying out to God as their young children slave away making pyramid bricks for a wicked king! They needed rescue.

As always, God was at work behind the scenes, preparing His hero to lead Israel out of Egypt. Their cry came up to God, and like a father who rushes to rescue his injured, God rushed in to save the day! The covenant-keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob "saw the people of Israel—and God knew" (v. 25). He didn't just know factually. He knew intimately.

Just as God knew the suffering of Israel under the weight of the harsh Egyptian taskmasters, He also knew our suffering under sin. We were under a cruel master who controlled our hearts and actions, but God came down to us through His Son and made a way for us. By His Spirit, we received new hearts and a new master, one who is gentle, lowly, and righteous! The God who heard is the God who hears today. The covenant-keeping God of Israel keeps His new covenant that was ushered in by the blood of Christ. Cry out to Him for help! He knows.

Reflection Questions

1. How have you seen righteous passion in your heart spill over into unrighteous actions?
2. Do you think Moses was in the right to avenge the Egyptian for his actions?
3. How have you seen God work behind the scenes in your life despite some big mistake you’ve made? How did you feel while you were in the midst of the situation?
4. How does the gospel remind us that God truly knows our sorrows?
5. How does the deep knowledge and care of God help you love and trust Him more, especially in moments of trials and suffering?

Prayer Points

1. Pray for eyes to see. Ask God to help you recognize the oppression occurring in the lives of people in your community. Weep with those who weep as they face the burden of injustice.
2. Seek both zeal and self-control. Pray that God would grant you zeal for righteousness and justice, while also providing you with self-control. When you experience righteous emotions, pray that Satan would not exploit them for evil purposes.
3. Express gratitude to God for His grace, despite your shortcomings. Thank Him that even when you fall short, He is merciful and gracious towards you. In His presence, reflect on times when you deserved punishment and suffering but received mercy instead.
4. Pour out your heart to God. If you are weighed down by trials, sin, or hardships, cry out to God. As you pray, acknowledge God's faithfulness to those who are in Christ. Be still and know that He is God.

Every great story introduces a protagonist. Often, the protagonist proves to be the most heroic and memorable character of the story. In God's big story, the main character shows up in shadows and types long before we meet him face-to-face. We've already seen His shadow once in the person and work of Joseph. We're about to get another glimpse of the Hero in the face of Israel's heroic leader.

A Hero is Born (v. 1-2)
Our hero (lowercase, of course) shows up in a sticky situation. He's a "fine" child from the tribe of Levi, and his mother loved him so much that she couldn't bring herself to kill him. Instead, this brave woman and her husband chose to hide the precious child. For three months, the baby went undetected, and we can only imagine how he was cherished during those three months!

The child's parents were people of faith, and hiding this baby was the fruit of their trust in God Almighty. Hebrews 11:23 gives us some insight into their reasoning for hiding him. One reason, of course, is that he was a "beautiful" child. Yet there was another, much deeper reason they hid the baby. By faith, they were not afraid of the king's edict! It would have been foolish to have the baby boy out in the open for everyone to see, but even hiding a baby for three months was risky business!

Who would have known that their faith would lead to the salvation of their nation and pave the way for the world's Hero several thousand years later?

A Hero is Rescued (v. 3-6)
Though our hero has shown up, he too needed a Hero. That's precisely how his story start. Many elements of his life foreshadowed Jesus, whose story we constantly sense as we read the history of redemption. The child's sister even got a firsthand glimpse of God's powerful working. Imagine seeing your parents' faith answered by God in such a tangible way!

The baby was hidden in a "basket," but don't miss the glorious Hebrew connection here. This same Hebrew word was translated as "ark" in Genesis when God called righteous Noah to rescue his family and the animals. The ark was covered in pitch (also on Noah’s ark!) and sent down the Nile River where he would be rescued by none other than Pharaoh's daughter, who showed "pity" for this Hebrew child. It was God's amazing plan to send this Egyptian girl to part the reeds and rescue this child, and one day God would part the "sea of reeds"—the literal Hebrew translation of the Red Sea—to rescue Israel!

Just as Noah's ark foreshadowed the rescue of this dear child, so this baby's rescue foreshadowed another water rescue—one that would take place in a much greater body of water in a much grander way in a few decades! By God's powerful hand, this baby boy was rescued by the daughter of the king who would one day try to destroy him and his people.

John Piper says, "God can do more in five seconds than we can do in five hours or months or years," and it's because God is always at work behind the scenes in millions of ways to get His glory. We pray and trust God because we know that He is always at work for our good and His glory.

A Hero is Raised Up (v. 7-10)
After this water rescue, our hero's brave sister suggested that his mother nurse him. What a brilliant plan—and it worked! This allowed the child's own blood family to raise him and it even provided additional "wages" for his mother. This small reward for faith is a subtle hint that God would later plunder unsuspecting Egyptians. Being with his family also meant that the boy grew up as a Hebrew among Hebrews, perhaps hanging out with Aaron and Miriam for a few years.

Our young hero's parents passed down their faith, and it eventually became his faith, too. Hebrews 11:24-26 reminds us that by faith this child would grow up and refuse to be an Egyptian. He was so aware of his Hebrew lineage that he chose to be reproached by his adoptive family rather than seek comfort. He passed up the "fleeting pleasures of sin" that could have given him an easy life (v. 25). He left behind the treasures, wealth, ease, security, and royalty of being a child of the world’s king to suffer alongside Israel and be a child of Christ the King. 

Why would he do such a thing? Wouldn't it have been wise to seek a position in Egypt like his great uncle Joseph? Couldn't he have done more for Israel if he had fought their oppression by gaining status, becoming king, and legislating change? Perhaps. But that wasn't God's plan! He "was looking to the reward" of his faith—God Himself (v. 26). We too must set our eyes on things above where Christ is rather than on the things of this earth (Col. 3:1-2). Only then can our upward and forward-looking faith bring us to seek God's will, even if we must lose comfort and security for His name's sake.

What’s His Name?
If you’ve read this story, you already know. If you haven’t, you’re probably chomping at the bit! The child God rescued and raised up was named Moses by his Egyptian mother. His name is special because it has two unique meanings. In Hebrew, his name sounds similar to "draw out”, and in Egyptian, his name meant "born." Moses was the baby who should have died, but God had plans for him to escape abortion and be drawn out of the water so he could be used to draw Israel out of Egypt! 

What a glorious picture of God's faithfulness! No matter where you're at in your story, God is up to something good. Even when we are weak and helpless, the Lord is our help (Psa. 46:1).

Reflection Questions:

1. How have you seen God at work behind the scenes in your life during a difficult trial? How did it impact your faith?
2. How does the faith of Moses’ family remind us of the importance of our faith and the impacts it can have on future generations?
3. What are are some ways we can live by faith in everyday, mundane situations?
4. How does the foreshadowing of Jesus in Moses' story help us see the biblical storyline and plan of redemption more clearly?
5. In what ways does Moses' courage and willingness to leave behind worldly comforts and security encourage us to do the same? In what ways do you struggle to do this?

Prayer Points:

1. Ask  for faith to follow God rather than people, even in situations that can remove our sense of comfort, ease, or security.
2. Pray for a heart that looks to God as our greatest reward rather than the treasures and rewards of this life.
3. Worship God for His good and faithful working behind-the-scenes for our good and His glory.

​Today, as in times past, we are prone to forget the accomplishments and people who came before us. C.S. Lewis dubbed this forgetfulness as "chronological snobbery." Whether we are debating LeBron and Michael Jordan or Tom Brady and Joe Montana, we can also be prone to view our time as greater than times past. Recently, a living pastor was called the greatest preacher since the apostolic age—beyond Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, and even Charles Spurgeon!

We see chronological snobbery in the opening chapter of Exodus, too. The new Pharaoh "did not know Joseph" (v. 8). He didn't know the contributions of Joseph and his family back in the old days when Egypt was in a famine. He didn't know how a Hebrew boy ended up ruling the world after tragedy and triumph. All he knew was that there were some non-Egyptians in the land, and he was a big shot who didn't like it. The combination of pride, fear, and power proved deadly for this unnamed "new king," and it led to the slavery of God's people (v. 8).

Enslaved by Pharaoh, Empowered by God (v. 10-14)

The king made life horrific for the Israelites. Notice how their plight is described:

• Affliction
• Heavy burdens
• Oppression
• Ruthlessness
• Slavery
• Bitter
• Hard service

It’s not hard to imagine that they felt alone in their suffering! Like the chattel slavery in America’s past, we see cruelty and hatred bound together in forced labor with no present path of escape apart from divine intervention.

Yet even in times of oppression, God is not silent. He never sleeps nor slumbers. He's always at work in a million ways that we may never see on this side of glory. With Israel, "the more they were oppressed, the more they spread abroad" (v. 12). God's people are like the garden weeds that have thousands of seeds that spread most when they're agitated by wind, animals, or unsuspecting gardeners! The more persecution presses us, the further we spread.

God was with Israel in their suffering, but He was relatively quiet in His working. So He is with us sometimes. God's withness doesn't fade just because our circumstances are tough. Christ and the Holy Spirit are interceding for us (Rom. 8:26, Heb. 7:25). The Father is ready, willing, and able to help us, though His help may come at a time and in a way we least expect it.

God's Mission Would Not Be Aborted (v. 15-22)

Abortion is one of the most grievous evils of our day. Some in our culture have tried to rebrand it as "reproductive freedom," but we all know it is murder. Pharaoh's tactic to slow down the increase of the Israelites began with abortion—well, close to it. He commanded that all the male children be killed at birth. This sounds horrendous, and it should! Murdering the most helpless and innocent males in the society would indeed prevent the Israelites from joining Egypt's enemies and escaping the land (Exo. 1:10). However, God's plan for His people could not be thwarted by baby killers!

Two Hebrew midwives, probably the lead nurses of a group of midwives, are used by God to save these babies! The unnamed king wanted death, but Shiprah and Puah—whose names will be remembered forever for their faith—cherished the glory of God and made His name known. These two women "feared God" and disobeyed Pharaoh. They didn't fear man who kills the body but rather God who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Mat. 10:28)!

Did they lie to Pharaoh? Many scholars and commentators say they did. Were they shrewd with the king who dealt shrewdly with their people? Perhaps they were repaying the evil king for his shrewdness. Did God give the midwives more vigorous births to prevent the death of the infants? Some speculate this possibility, as well. Regardless of whether they deceived Pharaoh or whether God truly made the Hebrew women more vigorous (remember that God has power over the womb!), He "dealt well" with the midwives, gave them families, and continued to multiply Israel! When you break open a spider's egg sac, hundreds or thousands of tiny spiders will come running out. It was the same way with God's people when Pharaoh tried to break apart their families! God was with them. The serpent who deceived Eve was again at work against the Israelites, but God was making the way for the Serpent Crusher to bruise the serpent’s head. 

Pharaoh's last-ditch effort was to kill the babies by drowning them in the Nile. As we will soon see, not even this could stop God. The greatest kings on the planet have no power to thwart God's plans. This gives us hope today. There is not a president or world leader who can thwart God's plans for His Church. Psalm 2 calls every leader to "kiss the Son or perish" (v. 12). This applies to every president, governor, mayor, or law enforcement officer—whether Democrat or Republican—to submit to the rule and reign of Jesus. They may try to stomp us out, but the more they press, the more we will spread across the globe. Let us go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations because Jesus is with us until the end of the age.

Questions for Reflection:

• How does "chronological snobbery" impact our appreciation of historical accomplishments? Have you noticed this mindset in your own life?
• How does the faith of Shiprah and Puah inspire you to fear God and stand up for what is right?
• How does God's work through the Hebrew midwives offer hope for everyday people like us?
• How do power, fear, and pride in leadership affect the lives of ordinary people today? Have you witnessed the impacts of such leadership in your community or personal life?
• Compare this scene in Exodus to the spread of the gospel in the book of Acts and the early church. How does faith in God's power lead to growth among His people?

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Prayer points:

• Pray for softened hearts for our government leaders, that they may fear and honor God rather than succumbing to pride, fear, and abuse of power.
• Pray for those who are facing oppression, abuse, and suffering due to corrupt and unjust leaders today.
• Give thanks to God for His faithfulness and pray for increased faith, especially in times of fear and trouble.

Most people love a good story. Opening lines draw us in and hook us quickly. Captivated by the story, we eagerly follow along as more details emerge. The heroic leader and distressed damsel arrive as the villain vainly plots to seize the day. The suspense builds, and our hero must show up and save the day—yet we know it won’t come easy! First, the hardship, then the satisfying victory. We breathe a sigh of relief or shed some bitter tears as the story eases to a close. Oh, how we love a good story!

The Bible is God’s magnificent narrative, and Exodus is a story within the story. Broadly, Exodus is chapter 2 of the Bible's majestic history. We see the connection to chapter 1 with the first sentence: “Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob…” (NASB). "Now" is an important word—though it’s not apparent in most of our English translations. It signals to us that the story is continuing. What God started in Genesis continues in Exodus.

Zooming in, Exodus is the history of a young nation upheld by the promises of God. From the opening sentence, God displays His great faithfulness. The Israelites came to Egypt with Jacob. Who is Jacob? He is the Son of Abraham and the father of Joseph, the Hebrew who saved Egypt and Israel from a great famine (See Gen. 41). Now the story of Abraham’s promised seed is unfolding in Egypt. God previously told Abraham:

“Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.” (Gen 15:13)

The four hundred years were almost finished, and God’s covenant people were on the way out the door. This is where we meet Israel, God’s people. Here we also meet Moses, God’s leader. Most importantly, in Exodus, we meet YHWH (known as Yahweh or Jehovah)—well, we at least learn His name and more of His identity as the covenant God of Abraham. What an amazing opening to an incredible story!

Exodus is the History of God’s Covenant People

Pharaoh and the Egyptians enslaved Israel due to fear and ethnic pride. Pharaoh wanted to control Israel so they wouldn’t get too large, wage war against Egypt, and leave the land (Exo. 1:8-10). The Israelites cried out to the God of heaven, and He listened (Exo. 2:24)! The living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remembered His covenant, heard His people, and “knew” them deeply (Exo. 2:25).

Exodus is the story of God’s rescue. Not only did God hear, but He also acted on their behalf (Exo. 3:8). As God rescued Noah and his family in the ark, so He first rescued Moses in an ark to prepare for the rescue of His people. Not only did God bring Noah and his family through water for salvation, but He also brought Israel through water—on dry land—in order to rescue them! God showed up!

Through this heroic rescue, God’s people were redeemed by God. When God poured out His just judgments on Egypt and their prideful leader, He spared His people from the same judgment (Exo. 12). How did He do this? By providing blood as a covering for His people as they dwelt among the Egyptians in the land (Exo. 12:13). We see a red thread that points straight to Christ, our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7).

Exodus is the Church’s History

Though the book of Exodus is about Israel’s history, it’s also a story about the Church—God’s chosen people throughout all of history. We see echoes of the Exodus story throughout the whole Old Testament. For example, as God parted the waters in Exodus, so He did for Joshua, Elijah, and Elisha (Jos. 3:5-17;4:1-18; 2 Kgs. 2:5-9; 2 Kgs. 2:12-15). As God brought plagues to Pharaoh, so He plagued the Philistines in the days of Samuel (1 Sam. 4-5). As God raised up a leader to rescue His people from Egypt, so He later rescued His people by the judges and kings. Let this sampling of the countless echoes of the Exodus in the Old Testament inspire you to explore more of this narrative in God’s Word!

We also see echoes of Exodus in the New Testament. As Moses was born under government persecution and escaped, so was Jesus spared from being killed by Herod. As Moses fled from the hand of Pharaoh, so Jesus fled from the hand of Herod (Mat. 2:13-18). As Israel was baptized and brought out of the Red Sea (1 Cor. 10:2), so Jesus was baptized and brought out of the waters to begin His ministry (Mat. 3:13-17). As YHWH gave Israel the Law on a mountain, so Jesus gave the authoritative and full teaching on the Law in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat. 5-7). As Israel was a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation, so is the Church (1 Pet. 2:9).

In the last days, we see echoes of Exodus too. Just as Egypt was judged with plagues, so will the unrighteous God-haters be judged in the last days. As the people of God were persecuted by idolatrous Egypt and finally rescued, so also the saints of God are persecuted and finally rescued when Christ returns for His bride. What glorious echoes we see throughout the whole of Scripture!

Exodus is Our History

Exodus is not just a story about Israel; it’s a story for us. Like ungodly Egypt, we deserve to be punished for our sins, and we need to be in a relationship with God. Like Pharaoh, our pride and hard hearts were once set against YHWH, the all-powerful Creator of the heavens and the earth. Like Moses, we are weak, fearful, and make excuses. Like Israel, we doubt God and grumble against the people who were sent to lead and deliver us. All in all, we too are sinful people in need of a Rescuer. We need a Hero.

Through Christ, God rescued us from ourselves. As Israel was God’s firstborn son (Exo. 4:22-23), we were adopted as children of God (Rom. 8:15). Instead of leaving us as slaves to our sins, God sent a Savior and heard our cries of confession and grief as we realized our sinfulness. When our hearts were pierced by the message of the gospel, we believed in Christ Jesus, the Lord, and we were no longer under the cruel and wicked master we call sin. As God’s children, Pharaoh will never reign over Israel again, and neither will sin, death, or Satan rule over us ever again!

How did He do it? Through the blood of Christ, our Passover Lamb. God redeemed us—He bought us with a price—and cast away our cruel master (1 Cor. 6:20). The blood of Christ is on the doorposts of our souls, and Christ looks upon us and says, “Mine, mine! You can never have them again because I paid for them!” We used to make bricks upon bricks to build the kingdoms of idols and idolaters, but now we glorify God in our bodies and build His imperishable kingdom.

Saved for God’s Glory
An inescapable reality about great stories is that the protagonist—the leading character—receives the spotlight and praise. If we aren’t careful, we can mistake the protagonist in Exodus. Is it Israel? Is it Moses? Is it us? Far from it! From start to finish, the Hero of the story is God. From the opening line to the final words, we see the power, patience, and providence of God on full, glorious display. In the words of Leland Ryken, “...the theme of Exodus is very simple—so simple it can be expressed in four short words: saved for God’s glory.” That’s it. That’s the theme. That’s the focus. Rescued and redeemed for the glory of God.