Ex 2
Moses literally means "is born" and was named so because he was drawn out of water.
Born out of the house of Levi (Priests unto God)
Moses was born under hostile circumstances, where everything around him worked against him. According to the law at the time, he should have died, but because God had a plan, he survived. Even though this is so simple it is so powerful. We often get discouraged by our circumstances and forget that God has a plan and is in control.
Moses' Exile vs 11-25
Moses felt an affinity to his people and held a sense of justice
After fleeing Egypt, he met Reuel's daughters at the well, and demonstrated his kindness and justice by defending the week (already we see a leader and Judge in the making)
He lived in Mideon, married Ziphorah, Reuel's daughter.
Reuel means "friend of God", he was a descendent of Abraham through Keturah and a priest of Midian. I can't help wondering, with a name like that, if Reuel (or Jethro, as he's more commonly known), knew the one true God.
The Burning Bush ch3
Moses was now a shepherd working for his father-in-law, and God appears to him through a flame of fire (the revelation of God and his will was often accompanied by fire: Ex. 13:21, 19:18; Gen 15:17; Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29; 2 King 2:11; Acts 2:3)
After God introduces himself as the God of his forefathers and explains his concern for his people and desire to bring them out of slavery, he appoints Moses to return to Egypt and lead them out.
It's so important to note here that this is God's plan, he is the true leader and rescuer, he said, "I have come to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians". It was God's plan, his initiative, his desire, his purpose and dream, he was allowing Moses to be a part of it. This has so many implications for our lives, especially in ministry. I see so many leaders and ministries moving in their own direction, according to their own decisions and choices, they are their own leaders. But a leader is not really the true leader when it comes to God's work, God is the true leader, he pulls the shots, he makes the decisions, he delegates and appoints, we have to learn to walk humbly with our God so we don't miss what he's doing. I think this was why God did not want to appoint a king for his people, because he was their leader, and he wanted it to stay that way.
Even though this was a great honor, Moses was overcome with fear, and he laid out excuse over excuse. God was patient and responded to each one of his concerns.
Excuse 1: His sense of inadequacy left him helpless and paralysed
response: God reassures him that he is not alone, God will be with him, he gives him a sign of confirmation but it will only come after the task is complete
Excuse 2: His and Israel's doubt that this command really is from God and not an impostor or the product of imagination
Response: God declares his identity: "I Am" he calls himself (Everlasting, unchanging, all powerful God)
*Insights into God's sovereignty: He tells Moses what to do, but he knows pharaohs hear and what he will do. He knows that unless a mighty hand compels him, he will not let the Israelites go, so he has a plan to send the plagues so that pharaoh will let his people go. God has the power to make the Egyptians favorably disposed towards his people-talk about sovereignty!
God not only provides the means for escape, but everything they need for the journey.
Excuse 3: Moses fears the rejection of the people
Response: God provides him with signs that will show his credibility
Moses gives excuse after excuse, but God comes back at him with a declaration of his power and sovereignty, he will teach Moses what to say and do, and be with him through it all.
When Moses realizes he can't get by with excuses, he gets to the point, he doesn't want to go, at which point God gets mad. After all the reassurance God have Moses he is still afraid.
But as much as Moses didn't want to do it, God saw to it that he would, God is sovereign.
I guess the conclusion on Moses' life so far is that God is sovereign, he is not soft but firm in his will. Thank God for that, otherwise, left to our own will, we'd all be destroyed.
1 comments:
God alone initiates salvation. He always turns toward man first and seeks him, as when God walked in the Garden (Genesis 3:8). Man does not seek God or turn to him without God first calling man to Himself (John. 6:37, 44; 1 John. 4:10,19).
Second, God’s initiative does not exclude man’s free response, but demands it (Catechism of the Catholic Church [Catechism], nos. 154, 155, 2002; Philippians 2:12, 13). In other words, God wills that man be free to choose His grace or reject it.
Third, salvation is extended to each and every human person, not limited to just some, and one can fall away from grace (Hebrews 2:1-4; 6:4; 2 Peter 1:10; 3:9; 1 John 5:16, 17).
Furthermore, it is imperative that once one is touched by grace, he perseveres in charity lest he forfeit the free gift of salvation (Lumen Gentium [LG], no. 14). Within the confines of these principles, Catholics have sought to understand the mystery of predestination.
Though opinions and formulations have varied among Catholic theologians, with these principles left intact, there is room for legitimate speculation.
The only proper framework to understand predestination must be rooted in the notion of a communion of persons in love. Why? The nature of God as Trinity is this very kind of communion and God created man to share in that “blessed life” (cf. Catechism, no. 1).
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