Hello again. Yes, I took a break from writing for a while, but I have been wanting to get back into it for a while now. I have been reading my Bible again on an almost nightly basis and have some more thoughts to share.
My first small thought being Exodus 3:2-3. This is the passage of the burning bush. For those of you who think God is boring, let me tell you...He is not! God sends an angel to light a bush on fire while Moses is walking past it. Moses can't help but stop and stare at it for a minute. I know he stopped and stared because the passage reads : 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
So, Moses saw this bush burning and looked at it long enough to realize it wasn't burning up. That's when he decided to mosey (hahaha) on over there and figure out what's going on. God can always send an angel to just appear before people or to speak to them without appearing before them or coming in a dream, but he sets bushes on fire and comes in pillars of cloud and of fire (Ex. 13:21). He even speaks through a donkey (Num. 22:28)! God is not boring. He knows how to get people's attention to talk to them. Especially when they won't listen. I mean, who would even think they'd be eaten by a big fish for not going to a town with really mean people in it? Certainly not, Jonah (Jonah 1:17).
My second thought is the whole story of Moses freeing the Israelites from slavery in Exodus 3-11. Now, everybody always tells this story with Moses being this courageous guy and talking to Pharaoh over and over and showing him God's abilities (which are endless) to make him free the Israelites. I reread this story recently and I have a major frustration for Moses. If you read chapters 3 and 4, God is speaking to Moses through the burning bush and telling him to get Pharaoh to free his people, but Moses whines and complains and makes excuses 3 times! I was really irritated with him when I read this, but then I wondered how many times I have done this myself. I just hope God doesn't get irritated with me...
Anyway, so God says, "Fine, take Aaron to talk to Pharaoh. I'll tell you what to do and you can tell Aaron." So where's Aaron's praise?? You know what Aaron says when Moses talks to him about this? NOTHING!! He just did it! So why isn't this story about Aaron?? Well, Aaron is even the one to tell the Israelites what God said to Moses.
So throughout the next few chapters, Aaron and Moses go to Pharaoh, tell him to let God's people go, and then performs miracles on God's behalf. Aaron talks to Pharaoh and Aaron performs the miracles until... Chapter 8, Moses finally speaks to Pharaoh directly. And then both men perform miracles together and then finally Moses takes over.
Here's the lesson I learned, God specifically hand chooses certain people to do certain tasks. He will tell you what he expects of you and if you say no or dilly dally (which is basically still saying no), God will find someone else. Fortunately for Moses, God still redeemed him and this story highlights him anyway. Poor Aaron though. But I bet, because of his complete obedience and courage, he got his recognition in Heaven...ten times over. :) Good for you, Aaron! Way to step out!
God, help me be more like Aaron, and less like Moses who is an excuse maker. Help me to just do what you ask and not think about what bad COULD happen, but just trust that you'll take care of me regardless. In Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
