Anticipation and Preparation
Exodus 5:1-5
Vacations for the early Hebrews was unheard of. A few decades before Moses came along the family trade was shepherding. They switched up their 25/7 self employment opportunity to working for the Egyptians. The job in Joseph’s day started out okay but different ruling Pharaohs soon metastasized their work into grueling labor with zero time off. Then God introduces Moses.
Moses hadn’t lived around his people for forty years. People knew his family and maybe his reputation as the only baby saved during the horrible, child massacre (Exodus 2:1-10) was also remembered but to many he was a newcomer. A new, “polished” (he was trained in Pharos house or elite), leader enters the scene. Moses and Aaron (Moses’s brother) announce the plan of God’s rescue. Hope is peaked!
When God’s plan presented to Pharaoh resulted in even harsher labor, Moses and Aaron’s popularity quickly wilted.
(Kinda reminds me of Nebraska when they hire a new football coach. Oops did I really write that?!)
Let’s look at the request.
Moses asked Pharaoh for a three day leave so they could worship their God. Why didn’t Pharaoh allow it? Only three days, what was the big deal?
I find it easy to place judgment on Pharaoh. Yet when I stop and apply the same judgement on myself I find I’m not so different from him.
Does taking three days to soak in God’s word, listen for His voice, resting in the presence of Jesus seem too much? Can I afford taking time off from work? Wouldn’t worshipping God for three whole days get boring?
Or how many times have I skipped or wanted to skip the gathering of fellow believers to do my own thing?
Am I investing in my retirement fund for the purpose of more free time to worship God and share Him with others?
Applying the “Pharaoh Principle” brings out lots of ugly!
I don’t want to be like Pharaoh who says “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.””
Exodus 5:2 NIV
https://exodus.bible/exodus-5-2
Moses said if they didn’t go worship they’d be hit with plagues or even killed (vs 5:3). We grow accustom to our own ways. Excuses like too busy, too tired, it isn’t convenient and it costs too much money keep us from obedience. Our excuses become so justified often we aren’t aware we’re sinning.
Praise God for His mercy and grace given to us through Christ Jesus. Psalm 103:2-3 is a reminder for us.
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,”
Should we stop everything in order to worship God? Yes at times. But, we don’t worship God because we should. We worship God because of who He is.
Worship of God comes from the overflow of the heart.
Having regular three day worship retreats would be great but not super practical. Instead seven days a week worship is the key.
Seven days reminding ourselves the truth of who God is.
Seven days remembering what a relationship with us cost Him.
Seven days reflecting on how precious He says we are.
Seven days of worshipping all God’s benefits.
Just putting these words on a page stirs my heart to worship.
Oh Father,
Open my eyes to see You. You are everywhere, all the time. There isn’t a moment or situations where You are absent. It is me who leaves You.
I’m sorry.
Thank You for your Holy Spirit who pokes me when my focus is on me and mine instead of on You.
Thank You for being worthy of worship and available every day.
ThankYou for straightening my perspectives when I focus on You.
You are incredible!
Amen
0 Comments