Exodus 11 - August 21, 2009

Exodus 11 – August 21, 2009

 

Exodus 11 speaks about the threat of the final plague.  It is a simple foretelling of the last plague to hit Egypt before Pharaoh will allow the people to leave.  I can’t imagine the roller coaster ride that it must have been to be Moses. I know that God told Moses (at least most of the time) that Pharaoh wasn’t going to listen.  But, still, it must have been hard to go in and out time after time and not have the things that took place free the people of God.  As a pastor, it often feels like that.  No matter what I do, even (and more importantly) no matter what God is doing, it doesn’t often seem to free the people.

 

Vs. 3

“Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.”

 

When I read this I get to see that God is using circumstances, time, and God’s actions, to create what He wants.  In the story, the Jews are getting freed from slavery.  Also in chapter 11 it speaks to them asking for gold and silver before they go.  From knowing the story we know that they come in with tens of people, and the leave with over a hundred thousand times that many.  Not only do they enter during a famine, but they come out in prosperity.  But, this is the people, there is a story that is specific to Moses too.

 

Moses was born a Jew, then taken in by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised in the palace.  At one point Moses is on the run for murder.  At this place in his life, he is neither well received by the Jews, nor is he well received by the Egyptians.  By Exodus 11:3 both the Egyptians and the Jews look up to Moses.  As a leader, I often get discouraged.  When I read true stories of men and women in the Bible like this one, I am encouraged. 

 

Maybe in the dry times – God has a plan.  Maybe that plan is not only for the people, but also for me.  Maybe my character and relationship to the people are more important than a quick answer to a problem.  It may not be what I want to hear when I am IN the problem.  However, once I am OUT of the problem, this will be so much clearer.

 

 

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Jeff.