Exodus 2:11-15
Verse 11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.
“One of his own people.” This is such a telling phrase in the story of Moses. Though he had now spent most of his life – all but about 2-4 years – in the royal Egyptian family, Moses goes out at around 40 years of life and finds himself identifying with the people of his birth. He could have come to adulthood and totally rejected the bloodline he had come from but he doesn’t.
Moses may not have understood the plans God had for him in the future, but he understood injustice and took it upon himself to make the punishment happen. We don’t need to have a promise from God to cause us to be anxious enough about making something happen, to work on it ourselves. Anytime we take things into our own hands when they aren’t our responsibility, we may find ourselves getting in God’s way.
The problem wasn’t Moses’ heart for justice, in fact, that was actually something God had blessed Moses with for the work God had for him to do. Moses had just taken the timing and method upon himself in the heat of the moment. That is so easy to do. We become frustrated with a situation or person and decide we need to deal with it or them before it gets worse.
About 40 years later as Moses was tending the flock in the wilderness, he wasn’t feeling worthy for the task when he found out God was wanting him to liberate His people by using his voice. Moses had less of an issue dealing with things in a physical manner but when it came to using his voice he would literally become tongue tied.
There are times when we think we know how to take care of a situation without God’s wisdom, when the simple truth is that we don’t. God may want to use our weaknesses to accomplish His goal because then it will reveal His working things out instead of giving us the glory. We should want Him to receive the glory, shouldn’t we? When we try to do things our way, we are really just trying to take His spotlight.
Making It Personal
When have you tried to right an injustice or fix something on your own power? How could God use your weaknesses to do something for Him? Are you willing to allow Him to use you?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you ever do things hoping you will get noticed? Would you prefer to do something you are good at or something you aren’t good at? Why would God have you do something where you had to use the thing you aren’t good at?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for yet another reminder of how we need to wait on You in every area of life. Give us the wisdom to look to see what You could be up to and the strength and courage to follow Your guidance. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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