ExodusExodus Fickle People – Steadfast God Lesson 3 – Moses: Prepared for the Task

Migdol Marah Elim miles 200 miles

Moses in Midian - Second 40 Years Genesis 2:15-4:20 Key events – Moses flees to Egypt, travels 250+ miles to Midian – Acts honorably at ‘the well,’ brings him into Reuel’s (Jethro) family – Establishes family (wife, two sons); solid work as shepherd – Time passes, changes in Egypt, cry of the afflicted to God – God appoints Moses as His emissary to free the Israelites Mixtures of time, depth, complexity in passages – 40 years covered in 10 verses (v …but see 21-22, 23) – Moments(?) in 39 verses (3:1-4:17) – Sweeping events covered lightly and that prompt musing/speculation – Profound insight into nature of Man; Man’s maddening perspective of and approach to God; God’s patience with Man’s shortcomings Luke 16:19-31…esp v Abraham and the Rich Man – What do we/can we know about people?

Moses Encounters God Ex 3:1-4:17 The Burning Bush – Moses' response: fear, awe, doubt, reluctance, excuses, grudging acceptance – God's response: patience, frustration, anger, persistence

God and Moses: Play-by-Play Ex 3:10, 11 Mission given to Moses – God: “Go” – M: “Who, me?” Ex 3:12, 13 First promise to Moses – God: “I’ll be with you” – M: “Not good enough” Ex 3:14-22, 4:1 Restated mission, more promises – God: Encouragement, explanation, what to say, events and outcomes – M: More excuses

God and Moses: Play-by-Play (2) Ex 4:2-9, 10 Demonstrations of Power – God: More signs and promises to encourage – M: More excuses Ex 4:11-12, 13 Mission given again, more promises – God: Solutions, direct order – M: Still unwilling Ex 4:14-17, Final Order – God: Angry! Provides more solutions – M: “Okay”

Moses Encounters God Ex 3:1-4:17 The Burning Bush – Moses' response: fear, awe, doubt, reluctance, excuses, grudging acceptance – God's response: patience, frustration, anger, persistence Moses raises problems, God solves them Moses raises problems, God solves them – Man is frustrating, weak, obstinate, slow – God is patient and steadfast

Themes & Insights: Time in the Wilderness God prepares/hones his tools via ‘time in the wilderness’ – Abram, Esau, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, Christ… Time is consistently an element in preparation and transformation – Moses is 80 years old when called How often are we in a rush, anxious, because things aren't happening quickly enough, fearful that we've missed out This does not mean we don't take action; God calls for it! – Moses sought delays…Timothy was enthusiastic in embracing mission We need wisdom, thoughtful reflection, that enables us to differentiate seizing moments/taking action from frustration that things aren't progressing on our timeline

Themes & Insights: Time in the Wilderness The Long Game – God plays 'the long game' during which He sets conditions, shapes attitudes, provides experiences and knowledge, and prepares hearts for His work God's will is accomplished in spite of Man's shortcomings – In fact, it is magnified through them Your takeaways? Your takeaways?

Exodus: Fickle People—Steadfast God July 19—Joseph to Moses: Consequences of a Steadfast Faith July 26—Moses: Prepared for the Task Aug 2—The Plagues, 1-9 Aug 9—The Tenth Plague (Part 1) Aug 16—The Tenth Plague (Part 2) Aug 23—Exodus from Egypt Aug 30—Songs and Prayers Sep 6—Mount Sinai Sep 13—Priesthood and Tabernacle (Part 1) Sep 20—Priesthood and Tabernacle (Part 2) Sep 27—A Mighty Culmination…and Beginning Bonus – Odd things