Ready now. Exodus 4:18-26 With the rod in his hand, as a reminder of God's promises and power to perform signs, Moses left the "Mountain of God" and returned to his family. He was changing since they last saw him, and his dealings with God were about to influence them all. Moses did not act secretly because, for forty years, Jethro had shared his life and family ties with Moses. When Moses respectfully spoke to his father-in-law, Jethro seemed to understand what had happened. Moses stayed in Midian, "wrapping things up" longer than necessary. God spoke to Moses again, urging him to get moving in God's work.
The phrase "The king's business requires haste" can certainly be applied to God's work. Although "He that believeth shall not make haste" seems contradictory, it actually serves as a warning for us not to act out of fleshly urgency since it is the Lord we serve. When God provides us with clear guidance, there is no need to delay for our own convenience. The Lord will lead us according to His word so we can clearly explain any changes in our lives and work with scriptural support. Our brothers and sisters in Christ will understand the reasons for the changes we make when we communicate them clearly.
When we truly come to know God and are willing to surrender our will in obedience to His, it produces a clear ripple effect. It makes those who know us best more aware of God and realize that He cannot be ignored. Obedience transforms a person. Interdependence among members of the family of God is a vital part of our fellowship. We pray for one another, seek counsel together, and share similar goals in life, especially when we are part of the same assembly.
The Lord told Moses to go to Egypt, and Jethro was clearly supportive of his decision. Those who opposed Moses were no longer alive, and the Lord assured him it was safe to return there with his family. Moses' return to Egypt meant leaving behind what had become familiar to him. Instead of adapting himself to familiar surroundings as a servant of God on a mission, he now had to align himself with God's will and work under divine guidance. "Israel is My son...let My son go that he may serve Me." During his journey across the desert, Moses had plenty of time to contemplate all that God had spoken to him. He knew there would be opposition. His hesitation in Midian had been driven by his flesh, and now he faced the world of Pharaoh. God had warned him there would be resistance from Pharaoh.
Any decisions we make must consider how they affect our family members. When the Lord confirms His will to us about a matter, we should clearly explain what the life change will mean for us and for them so they understand what to expect in advance. A personal desire or whim is not enough reason to make a change that impacts others besides ourselves.
Of particular interest is the fact that the shepherd’s staff Moses held when the Lord spoke to him had become “the rod of God.” Our Lord can take the most unassuming things we have and use them through us to fulfill His divine purposes. When we are aware of God's presence guiding us, we can step into unfamiliar work with confidence, knowing that “this is the way, walk ye in it.” We are not meant to be "free lances" in God's work. God clearly states His objectives in simple terms.
The devil would use his powers to keep God's people in bondage as long as he can by mimicking what God does. In that way, he would target the messenger and try to stop Moses before he reaches the goal. We can expect opposition in any work of God we are called to do. Some opposition will come from expected sources, and some will come from places and people we least expect.
In our usual idea of a hard-hearted person, we think of someone lacking sensitivity and compassion, who may even have a sense of cruelty and indifference toward others or serious events. When the Lord says He would harden Pharaoh’s heart, this does not mean that Pharaoh had no choice. He had his own will and repeatedly hardened his own heart against God’s will. Personal resolve and determination can be either good or bad, depending on the situation.
The Lord explained to Moses what he could expect when approaching Pharaoh on behalf of the Israelites. Pharaoh and most Egyptians saw him as a god who could do whatever he pleased. They would not accept the idea that there was only one God, and it wasn’t him. A God who was omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent was rejected by Pharaoh, who refused to accept any authority other than his own.
All of our actions and choices need careful thought beforehand. If we proceed based on a wrong decision, there will come a time when we mistakenly believe our choice is correct, and we lose the ability to choose differently. We must remember that we are not separate from God and do not have complete freedom to do whatever we want. Ignoring God's character and nature has consequences that affect everything.
In that same conversation with Moses, the Lord instructed him to think about the impact of being the “firstborn.” Israel was God’s firstborn and had authority over Pharaoh’s firstborn. Then, a very shocking thing happened that Moses would never forget. God was about to kill him. Moses would tell the Israelites about His covenant with Israel and him. Moses, the appointed leader, had left undone what he would ask others to do – separate themselves unto God.
Demand from others what we have not done ourselves is a serious mistake. If we see ourselves as better than others and refuse to do what they do in matters of God, we risk losing our testimony, reputation, privileges, and life. Not doing what we know is right is a sin of omission.
Circumcision was sometimes practiced by the Midianites and was performed when a young man was about to get married. Moses had not circumcised his sons, either because his wife opposed it or because he had adopted the Midianite custom. Zipporah did not appear to help Moses in this matter. For some reason, he had not carried out the circumcision of his sons, which was a key sign of being a Hebrew male. A covenant had existed between God and Abraham for hundreds of years, promising that through the Jews, the world would be blessed. Maybe Zipporah had not allowed the circumcision of her sons. Now, she had to submit to God's command, but she did so reluctantly. She only agreed to perform the circumcision because she had no choice. When she threw the severed flesh at Moses so he could live, it was clear she was very unhappy with God's call.
Sometimes, we must consider the cost of serving God and obeying His call to be more important than the desires of those closest to us. A disciple must be willing to "forsake all" and follow the Lord. This is not an easy thing to do. She apparently had to be sent back to Jethro and would not see her husband again until the exodus from Egypt.
To serve God means the vessel must be ready for use, no matter the cost. The power needed to do what is necessary for God's service must come from God alone. The faithful support from those closest to us is a wonderful thing. However, it does not mean we can avoid doing what God has called us to do if that support is not available. God intends for the covenant He makes with us to be kept. We will have to "lay aside every weight," whether legitimate or not, and let go of people who claim the first place in our lives. We must move forward in faith in God. We can be confident that God is with us in the work and that He will bring it to His desired conclusion.
A surrendered will and a consecrated heart are essential for effective work for God. Training the servant takes time. Genuine humility, controlled power (meekness), a submissive spirit, and the rejection of complacency do not develop overnight. However, when God recognizes we are prepared for His service, action is often prompted immediately. Faith grows by absorbing God's Word. Trust in Him is demonstrated through daily life. A special connection with God has been established to enable true fellowship with Him. Then, we can expect that God will use us, and we will advance in the work He has given us without fear.