EXODUS 3:12

EXODUS 3:12

Exodus 3:12 And He said, I will be with you. And this shall be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain.

  To get the whole story of Moses one must begin by reading Exodus.

  Briefly: Moses was born at a time the Egyptians began to fear Jewish population growth. As a homeland security measure they brutally disenfranchised and enslaved the Jews. Jewish reproduction was not harmed by the severity of slavery. Pharaoh then specifically ordered the midwives to murder all newborn Hebrew boys. The midwives, revering Jehovah God, did not do so and made excuses about Jewish women delivering faster than Egyptian women. Pharaoh then gave every Egyptian the authority to drown all male Jewish babies in the Nile. (This is especially interesting as the river was essential to Egypt’s well-being and thereby idolized and worshipped. So, was the Pharaoh ordering civil with religious multitasking? Also note God’s first plague against the Egyptians. Ex.7:19-25)

  Pharaoh’s daughter found baby Moses in the rushes, reacted properly to motherly instincts, and unknowingly had Moses’ mother raise him. At age 2 or 3 he began his life as an Egyptian boy. According to Stephen, Moses knew his ancestry and at age 40 Moses decided to visit his own people. (Act.7:23) Moses killed one of the brutal Egyptian overseers and soon thereafter fled for his life, settling some distance away in Midian and was content to dwell there.

  Meanwhile back in Egypt the enslaved Jews were kvetching and whining louder than ever. God heard and moved to set them free. Moses was to be the central human figure in the operation. Moses was excited at the prospect, but not in enthusiastic manner that we as God’s children should emanate.

  Moses challenged “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (TAB 3:11) God told Moses it doesn’t matter who he is or is not . . . what matters is “I AM THAT I AM” . . . which sums up all that God is.

  In reassuring Moses further God promised He would certainly be with Moses all the way. (This never a problem. Heb.13:5 The problem is our being like Moses, exercising option to not continue in all of the way. Num.20:11-12)

  Now to what I noticed after repeated readings thru the years: God in further assurance gave Moses a sign; they would worship at the same mountain. Moses accepted the proof even though God gave no specific timeline. As things went, the “When” was 40 years later! A lesson for sign receivers it is. Many sign-readers are distractingly impatient about our Lord’s return . . . so sure it will be very soon.

It may be, but the “When” is only known by Him. Ours is to expect and occupy while awaiting. (Lk.19:13; Act.1:11) Ours is to meanwhile walk with Him His Way; in Hebrews 11 faith thru all pleasing and precarious conditions . . . though we know not, may not see this side of heaven, the fulfillment of His promised return. 

EBB4   Friday, May 25, 2018