#145 Nice place to visit, but don't drink the water Exodus 7

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes out to the river. Confront him on the bank of the Nile, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake. 16 Then say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened. 17 This is what the Lord says: By this you will know that I am the Lord: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.’”

19 The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs—and they will turn to blood.’ Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in vessels of wood and stone.”

20 Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. 21 The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt.

22 But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said.23 Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile to get drinking water, because they could not drink the water of the river. Exodus 7: 14-24

Moses and Aaron are sent by God to where Pharaoh shall be, and they are here instructed to confront him once again. This time, as the instruments of God, Moses will tell Aaron to stretch his staff over the waters of Egypt, the waters will be turned to blood. The Nile is the life blood of the region, and it is in the hearts of the Egyptians, a deity of its own. It provides drink, which no man can live without, fish, in great sustenance, and a road by which to travel. As mighty as the river is, or how great the Nile Perch and Crocodiles that swim it's length, it did not bring itself to be. I appreciate many things in nature, if not all, and I am at times overwhelmed by what I see. In these moments, with these wonders, I am directed by all of creation to worship the One they glorify. If I cannot see God, then I can most certainly see His finger print, and read the words of His mouth. The Nile belongs to God, and so he made the Egyptians god stink to them. Pharaoh's magicians are able to apparently gain a sample of freshwater, and then duplicate the miracle. Wanting something to be true will not make it so, but it is enough for men to invent a substitute by which they are satisfied. Pharaoh's heart is hardened once again. 

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:25 KJV

#144 Show Me Exodus 7

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “Pharaoh will demand, ‘Show me a miracle.’ When he does this, say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and it will become a serpent.[a]’”

10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did what the Lord had commanded them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent!11 Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. 12 They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Pharaoh’s heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the Lord had predicted. Exodus 7:8-13

Pharaoh will demand a miracle. A miracle will be given, but the miracle will also be duplicated. The mind that is already set will seek the answer it is most inclined to hear. When Pharaoh's magicians are able to produce the same effect, his heart becomes strengthened in its resolve. Though Aaron's staff swallowed the serpents of the magicians, the king's heart remained hard. Sometimes the loudest voice of God is His silence, but we seek a sign, and ignore the signs given. If you are part of a "signs and wonders" type ministry, I ask you, would you be willing to seek out God the way He has revealed Himself in His word, or would you be more inclined to follow the magicians?

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-17 KJV

#143 Everything I told you Exodus 6

28 Now when the Lord spoke to Moses in Egypt, 29 he said to him, “I am the Lord. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you.”

30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. 2 You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, 4 he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. 5 And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”

6 Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them. 7 Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh. Exodus 6:28 - 7:7

Tell him everything I tell you. He does not ask us to be eloquent of speech, nor to make adjustments to the message. It is not our word to take license and omit those things we find unsavory, or worry that it may offend our audience. Do you really love people enough to cause yourself discomfort? It can be a bother at times. Some days you would rather go fishing than be a fisher of men, answering a never ending myriad of questions. Some days these questions will be from those who call you a brother in Christ. And what of those days when He ask us to witness to those that we have the most grievance with? I doubt Pharaoh cared much to hear the message. It did not fit within his world view, nor does the telling fit well with Moses. The Egyptians will know that He is Lord, and so will Moses, though he speaks with "faltering lips." Who am I that anyone should listen to me? It doesn't matter; it is the message that matters. 

  If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 1 Timothy 6: 3-5

If it is about who I am, then it is not about Who He is, and I have probably laid the message to the side somewhere along the way. So what have I been saying? I think I should like to pray more often and not forsake my studies. I would love to be a better speaker, but I think it better to settle for more humility. I pray for the understanding, I beg for grace, and please help me to find the love of my fellow man that is not fettered by my ego or my love of convenience. A lot of people like you, but you don't tell them what He's told you. A lot of people hated Him, but He died for their sins.

#142 Out Of Exodus 6

13 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

14 These were the heads of their families[d]:

The sons of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel were Hanok and Pallu, Hezron and Karmi. These were the clans of Reuben.

15 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon.

16 These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.

17 The sons of Gershon, by clans, were Libni and Shimei.

18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years.

19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.

These were the clans of Levi according to their records.

20 Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.

21 The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg and Zikri.

22 The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan and Sithri.

23 Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

24 The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah and Abiasaph. These were the Korahite clans.

25 Eleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas.

These were the heads of the Levite families, clan by clan.

26 It was this Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.” 27 They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing the Israelites out of Egypt—this same Moses and Aaron. Exodus 6:13-27

My children ask to read the Bible more now, and the genealogies always prove entertaining, but they were not placed here solely for our amusement, nor should they be considered wasted words. It is here one can see the birth right of Moses, that he was a Hebrew, born of Jochebed. The genealogies will also follow the seed, that will see the Redeemer at its fruition, and so end the dispensation of lineage and the law. It was this Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, "bring the Israelites out of Egypt." 

So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON." Matthew 2:15

#141 Broken Exodus 6

But the Lord said to Moses, “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.”

2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty,[a] but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, andI will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. 7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’” 9 Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

10 So the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go out of his land.” 12 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”13 But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh king of Egypt: to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. Exodus 6:1-13 ESV

The mightiest being the Israelite people and Egyptians know is Pharaoh. He does not respect God, but becomes the bar for which God shall reveal the meaning of Jehovah. The patriarchs knew this name only by faith, I am that I am, but the children shall see the earthly revelation of it. Pharaoh will resist God, the Creator of all things, but God will reveal His power over all things, and the futility of human pride. The children shall be let go and see the promise land just as those who believe in Christ shall sojourn here but a little while. 

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.11To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.…1Peter 5:10&11

Moses is the messenger of good tidings, but under the oppression of the king, and for fear of his wrath, they no longer want the association. Since God does not carry out His plans the way we would suspect He should, and since we are creatures of the natural, we are influenced more by those things physical than the message of an all powerful God. His message is rarely met with our approval, and we at first might take some of it, and then some would try to twist and contort it to their liking. If believing translates into wealth rather than humility, then we accept. They are slaves, afraid of their earthly masters, and they just want the beatings to stop. They are also slaves, as Pharaoh and every other man born, to sin. This is the revelation from the fall, that we are born slaves, and wandering in denial. This is the message still that men love darkness rather than light, that Jesus is the light of the world, and that He came to set the captives free. We, no different than our ancestors, remain opposed and in love with our own ideals. It is easier for us to say that we are not captives by declaring that this is not sin, and embracing sin as the ideal. So now it is a sin to say that something is a sin; we are a delusional lot ever laying on more shackles and helping others to do the same. 

"The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37"I know that you are Abraham's descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.…John 8:36&37

#140 A Reed Exodus 5

19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:

21 And they said unto them, The Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

22 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all. Exodus 5:19-23 KJV

Always blame the messenger. My children respond much the same way, and I remember as a boy once, having a wrist rocket. It is just a modern version of a sling shot, but it provided hours of entertainment. One day I had a friend over from school and he was shooting steel pellets with my sling shot. He shot at a lizard or something on a tree and the pellet ricocheted. There was the sound of breaking glass, but it left only a hole in the window. Two days later, my neighbor was over yelling at my mother, and dramatizing about how someone could have been killed. My mom brought me out and asked if I had done this, and I said no, but I refused to say who did, and that it was my sling shot so it was my responsibility. She thanked me for being honest, but my neighbor was the type to want blood. I mowed lawns for a living back then so I told him I could pay him within a week, but he had a "better plan". He wanted all the leaves raked and the crab grass removed from his lawn. My mom agreed to this, and so I thought I would knock it out fast, but after 6 hours one Saturday afternoon, he looked at my work and said, "this is far from over, I'll see you tomorrow." This went on for several days until I finally told my mother, this is your fault, you taught me to be honest, but this is what it gets you. No one else cares to be honest so you always put me at a disadvantage. He's using me, because he's getting free labor for something he does not want to do. I learned my lesson, next time I will say it was some boys playing in the woods. She ended it with the neighbor, and knowing him she probably gave him the difference in cash that he felt he was due. The officers of the children of Israel were quick to attack Moses, because he was the one who started this. He came to them and they believed him, but now those who were getting free labor just mocked them. They would beat this foolishness out of them. I mean who is this God really? All the people could see was Pharaoh, the result of sin common to all. Moses appeals to God, and that is the only place to find the understanding for persecution. It is the only place to find repentance, forgiveness for the persecutor and justice for the persecuted. 

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world,my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36

Have you ever stopped to pray for President, mayor or other office holder? Have you ever pondered your own person and testimony when looking at your boss? It is easy to see where they fail, but all men are born damned so far as we can see, but we only see so far. I have wanted to kill the messenger so often, especially when my righteousness was based upon the outcome of its exercise. If I am praised for my honesty then all is well, and if I am targeted for it then I think there is a reason to not be later. It is not wrong to question the outcome, but go to God and not to your own devices. Do not let the evil of men be your gauge for when righteousness is sought, and pray for them as you ponder them in the light of your own wickedness. 

Shaken by the wind

#139 The Bricks Exodus 5

1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.

12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfill your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?

15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.

17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.

18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. Exodus 5:1-18 KJV

It is difficult in comfort to see the need to leave, and we are fickle in our view of God when it appears that under our own will and guidance things are working well. It is not the case for the Hebrew inhabitants of Egypt. Moses and Aaron approach the new Pharaoh with a request to take the people to worship in the wilderness. They come as messengers, not with their own words, but with the words of God, and it is fair that this should be tested, but Pharaoh answers by way of arrogance. Who is this God? If I don't know Him, then what's He to me? Men often suppose that because they have not seen God, they are not responsible to seek Him. The history of Joseph and how the children of Israel arrived in Egypt was not so long ago, but the proud are easily blinded by power and prosperity. Pharaoh turns away from the wisdom that would seek to understand, and embraces the rule of force. It is the quickest way to show charge, to be feared, they knee jerk and brake the will of those beneath. He demands the same amount of product but sets them up for failure by not providing the resources to achieve it. It is insane, but it ensures that his order will not be met and that he may now hold accountable those whom he wishes to make an example of. He declares them idle, and when the officers are beaten for that which they cannot accomplish, they question it. He declares them also idle, and still demands the bricks. 

  16 A ruler without wisdom will be cruel, but the one who refuses to take dishonest money will rule a long time. 17 Don't help those who are guilty of murder; let them run until they die. 18 Innocent people will be kept safe, but those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined. 19 Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.20 A truthful person will have many blessings, but those eager to get rich will be punished. 21 It is not good for a judge to take sides, but some will sin for only a piece of bread. 22 Selfish people are in a hurry to get rich and do not realize they soon will be poor. 23 Those who correct others will later be liked more than those who give false praise. 24 Whoever robs his father or mother and says, "It's not wrong," is just like someone who destroys things. 25 A greedy person causes trouble, but the one who trusts the Lord will succeed. 26 Those who trust in themselves are foolish, but those who live wisely will be kept safe. Proverbs 28: 16-26

#138 A Bloody Husband Exodus 4

18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said unto him, “Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren who are in Egypt and see whether they are yet alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”

19 And the Lord said unto Moses in Midian, “Go, return into Egypt; for all the men are dead who sought thy life.”

20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

21 And the Lord said unto Moses, “When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in thine hand; but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, ‘Thus saith the Lord: Israel is My son, even My firstborn.

23 And I say unto thee, “Let My son go, that he may serve Me.” And if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.’”

24 And it came to pass, on the way at the inn, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him.

25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet and said, “Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.”

26 So He let him go; then she said, “A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.”

27 And the Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” And he went and met him on the mount of God, and kissed him.

28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him.

29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel.

30 And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.

31 And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped. Exodus 4: 18-31 KJV21

Moses shows respect to his father in law, and gets his blessing before setting out on his journey to Egypt. The men who have sought to kill him are dead now, and I have read some on the matter to the effect that the trespass dies with the Pharaoh. This has to be a relief, a clean slate, and again God tells him to perform all the wonders that He will bestow upon his staff, but yet God will harden Pharaoh's heart. One might cringe at this or point to it as a place of blame, a way to find fault with God. For who can resist Him? It is a sobering thing to read, but what does the hardening of the heart really entail?  In Romans it speaks of giving people over to a reprobate mind, and in Genesis, when the people were of one language, they chose to follow after their own pride, to exalt themselves. I think the next few chapters will demonstrate that the condition of man, in his fallen state, is enmity with God, and all that is necessary to harden the heart is the removal of the fear of God. Pride is already there, and kings, rulers and all leaders sit on thrones inside of towers that are the culmination of man's delusion about his state. When the Bible tells us to pray for those who have rule over us, it is not a suggestion but rather a commanded exercise, revealing much in the way of our own hearts.  

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,…1 Timothy 2:1-3

The Lord seeks to kill Moses on the way to Egypt. Why? Moses lives with and has married to a people that do not believe in circumcision. It is a command from God, and Moses has ignored God's command for the voice of his wife. It is a simple thing to do, and the curse of all men that we should seek our own way. I would much rather be of offense to no one, to fit in and be the "friend" of all, but a reed blown about is not a compliment in the Bible. The gospel is offensive and though circumcision is no longer required under grace, it was outward sign of loyalty to the one true God. It was a sign of separation from the world, and here a stumbling block for Moses and a point of contention with his wife. Moses is apparently so sick that she must now perform the rite, and for the love of her husband, but in utter disgust, she does. It is very similar to today when I hear people tell me it is wrong to tell my children they are sinners, or to speak of death and hell. Much of the world is convinced of a universal message, that all roads lead to Rome so to speak. They tell me you cannot say there is only one way or speak of right and wrong, yet to them I am obviously wrong, and they say they are good. I believe the Bible to be God's word, and that all men are in an observably fallen state, and so if this comes off as bloody to you, then I have become circumcised from you. My heart, being bound to the word of God, cannot for the sake of relationships withhold the truth. There is however an upside to this, and that is that I love you more than I love your approval. 

As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Galatians 1:9&10

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

#137 Not Me Lord Exodus 4

And Moses answered and said, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice; for they will say, ‘The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.’”

2 And the Lord said unto him, “What is that in thine hand?” And he said, “A rod.”

3 And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

4 And the Lord said unto Moses, “Put forth thine hand and take it by the tail.” And he put forth his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand—

5 “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob hath appeared unto thee.”

6 And the Lord said furthermore unto him, “Put now thine hand into thy bosom.” And he put his hand into his bosom; and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.

7 And He said, “Put thine hand into thy bosom again.” And he put his hand into his bosom again and plucked it out of his bosom, and behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.

8 “And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry land; and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.”

10 And Moses said unto the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue.”

11 And the Lord said unto him, “Who hath made man’s mouth? Or who maketh the dumb or deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?

12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say.”

13 And he said, “O my Lord, send, I pray Thee, by the hand of him whom Thou wilt send.”

14 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee; and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

15 And thou shalt speak unto him and put words in his mouth; and I will be with thy mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.” Exodus 4:1-17

God's explanations to Moses, thus far, have been insufficient for him. He questions God again, and we could say he is cowardly, but faith grows with obedience in the face of doubt. When he left he Egypt, he left a criminal, and he was not welcome with open arms by his own. Moses has been a shepherd in the wilderness for many years now, and as humble as that may seem to some, it is also quite peaceful. I would find it very difficult to give up the hillside, the quiet, the reward of laboring with my hands and sitting by the fire at night. He is not just afraid, in my opinion, he is disinterested and making it about himself.  God comforts him again with signs and wonders to show the people. These signs will precede the message, but now Moses concern is turned to that. He is not eloquent with words, he has spent much time away from the need of words. I ask, is it the charisma of the speaker or the message that is important? Well, faith, much like courage, is not without test of doubt, and God, though angry is not without compassion. He provides Moses a speaker but does not relinquish him from his duty. If God allowed him to bow out, then Moses would have led a most serene and placid life. Blind to eternity that may not seem such a bad thing, but the entropy of this life demands an end to all things. Time and times, Moses will stand before God at his appointed time, and what shall be said of these times? Thank God for ignoring our cries for pampering and easement. Thank Him for sending the Messenger, and help us understand and share the message.

And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,42saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."43Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.…Luke 22:41-43