4 January 2011

Psalm 85, 87; Exod. 3:1-12; Heb. 11:23-31; John 14:6-14

At one time Moses thought he was to be the deliverer or at least protector of the people, his people. He heard and saw the oppression of the Egyptian taskmasters and he took action against them in killing the one who was beating the Israelite. The next day he tried to judge between two Israelites and he was asked the question that would ultimately be the bane of his existence those forty years in the wilderness, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” His authority was challenged constantly those last years of his life and here we see a man who is not particularly eager to assume to a role asking the same basic question, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" Moses is a bit gun shy, not like Isaiah whose response is “Here am I, send me.” Moses has some experience and he needs what God offers, I will be with you. He has tried to do this in his own power and failed but he is willing to take this job on if God is with him.

Like the burning bush, Jesus has come to make the Father known. He has been an attractive force that compelled people to come to Him. Here He makes a bold claim to be the Way, the Truth and the Life and tells the disciples that as they have seen Him so they have seen the Father. He has come to lead a second exodus for all who will follow. He has done signs and wonders to prove Himself and now there only remains the final sign of the resurrection from the dead. Like Moses He has faced constant questions about his leadership and anointing and has left it up to us to decide but not without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Are we prepared to leave it all behind to follow Him?

Moses considered the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures of Egypt. He was a child in the royal household, considered to be the adopted child of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to identify with the oppressed, the people of God, and here the writer acknowledges that wasn’t a bed of roses either. By faith he chose the mission God gave him to do and stayed at the job for the remainder of his life rather than walking away from the task when it got difficult. His sole comfort and consolation was the presence of God with them all this time. He was even understanding of the decision not to allow him to enter the land, he only saw it from afar. He knew what it meant to suffer for the kingdom and be content in the presence of God.

Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,

and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,

for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;

but let them not turn back to folly.

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,

that glory may dwell in our land.