I Will Trust In GOD'S Purpose and Power - Exodus 3:1-4:31 - July 9, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – I Will Trust In GOD’S Purpose and Power – July 9, 2006

This is lesson two (2) in our series “My Declaration of Dependence.”

Abraham’s descendents have been in Egypt for 400 years. They have multiplied into a small nation. In last week’s lesson we learned that Pharaoh two (2)/king two (2) becomes concerned with the population growth of the Israelites and imposes burdensome labor upon them. This is the beginning of slave labor. However during these times the Israelites continue to multiply and become an even larger group of people.

For population control the Pharaoh/king orders the mid-wives to kill all male children born to the Israelites. The mid-wives feared GOD more than Pharaoh and did not kill the male children. When Pharaoh questioned them, they told him that the Israelite women birthed their children quicker than the Egyptian women. The Pharaoh then ordered them to throw the male Israelite children into the Nile River. Moses’ parents in essence followed Pharaoh’s orders. They fashioned a basket and placed Moses into the basket and placed him into the Nile River. One of Pharaoh’s daughters found Moses and GOD arranged for his mother to be his wet nurse.

Moses was educated in Pharaoh’s house and when he was about 40 years old killed an Egyptian. Moses escaped to Midian, which is about 200 miles away from Egypt. In Midian, Moses met his wife and became a sheep herder for his father-in-law, who is a priest. Moses tended sheep for 40 years. This makes Moses 80 years old. While Moses is tending his father-in-laws sheep, something strange gets his attention.

Our background scripture is Exodus 3:1-4:31.

Our focus scripture is Exodus 3:1-8, 19-21; 4:10-12, 27-31.

Let’s read Exodus 3:1-8:

1 Meanwhile Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro,[1] Moses’ father-in-law’s first name was Jethro; Ex 2:18 the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb,[2] = Desolation; another name for Mount Sinai; Dt 4:10,15; 18:16; Mal 4:4. the mountain of God. 2 Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. 3 So Moses thought: I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up? 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. 5 “Do not come closer,” He said. “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”[3] Jos 5:15; Ac 7:33 6 Then He continued, “I am the God of your father,[4] Sam, some LXX mss read fathers; Ac 7:32 the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of My people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I know about their sufferings. 8 I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Moses sees a burning bush. Then he notices that as the bush burns it is not consumed. This gets his attention and he goes over to get a closer look.

Once GOD sees that HE has Moses attention, HE calls Moses by name, Moses, Moses.

This to me is so neat and important for us to know. GOD always takes the initiative to reveal HIMSELF to mankind. We try to figure GOD out or we try to discover GOD on our own but GOD always reveals HIMSELF, HIS nature, HIS power, HIS purpose, HIS plan, etc.

GOD knows our name. HE knew us even before HE created the world. Ephesians 1:4 tells us, “For HE chose us in HIM before the creation of the world to be Holy and blameless in HIS sight.” HE knows us so well, that HE knows the number of hairs we have on our head.

Remember when GOD called Saul (Paul) when he was on the road to Damascus to try to annihilate any follower of JESUS, JESUS called his name twice, Saul, Saul. If you hear GOD call your name twice pay attention because GOD has a special message for you.

As Moses approaches the burning bush, GOD tells him to remove his sandals from his feet because he was standing on HOLY ground. What made the ground HOLY? After all it is just pasture land.

The presence of GOD made the ground HOLY. GOD began to teach Moses that HE is HOLY and the relationship HE would have with Moses and the Israelites would have certain requirements.

Think about this for a few minutes. GOD is revealing HIMSELF to Moses and the Israelites. GOD will be with Moses and the Israelites.

The Bible is the revelation of GOD on an ever ascending scale which peaks with the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension of JESUS and JESUS sending the HOLY SPIRIT back to earth to indwell all believers. JESUS makes it possible for the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell each believer. Since that time, GOD has been in us. What is the difference between GOD being with us and GOD being in us?

The presence of GOD with us makes the area HOLY whereas GOD in us makes us HOLY. The presence of GOD in us, makes every place we place our feet HOLY ground. We are HOLY because of the presence of GOD.

This is an awesome thought and responsibility as GOD’S representatives. I think it is impossible for us to fulfill this responsibility without having an intimate loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST by being completely obedient to our SAVIOR and LORD.

GOD told Moses that HE is the GOD of his father, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Of course, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are dead but GOD says I am their GOD. This tells us and Moses even though they are dead they are in the presence of GOD. GOD is also telling Moses that HE is GOD WHO made a covenant with the patriarchs and even though they are dead, GOD honors the covenant HE made with them.

This is the first time GOD reveals HIS name as YHWH to Moses. The vowels were added later to the Hebrew language later to render the spelling of the name of GOD, “YAHWEH”.

In the Hebrew language the word “YAHWEH” means “to be” or “I AM WHO I AM” and refers to the LORD as the eternal, covenant-making GOD, WHO is always present.

It is interesting that the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – referred to GOD as “GOD Almighty.”

Exodus 6:2-3:
(2) GOD also said to Moses, “I am the LORD.” (3) I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as GOD Almighty, but by MY name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them.”

It is thought that GOD revealed HIS name so that Moses would not think HE was some new deity but the very same GOD who revealed HIMSELF to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The name YAHWEH reveals that GOD is eternal, personal and powerful creator. Notice that GOD reveals HIS name to Moses. Moses does not discover HIS name.
The early Jews respected the name YAHWEH so much; they would not speak the name YAHWEH. But instead they used the name “Adonai”, a term of respect meaning “LORD”.

Moses responded to GOD with a reverential fear. Moses is not frightened of GOD but is showing respect for GOD.

Then GOD tells Moses that HE has heard the cry of HIS people and has come down.

There are times in our life we may think, “Does GOD even know or care what I am going through?” GOD uses the term “I know about their sufferings” in verse 7. The term “know” means more than head knowledge; it refers to something that has been experienced. It is GOD’S way of saying, “I have been right there with them in all that is happening to MY people and have experienced their suffering along with them.”

I think verse 8 makes it clear that GOD is well aware of all that goes on in our life because HE is intimately involved with us in our life experiences.

As we mentioned in last week’s lesson there are times GOD waits until certain physical circumstances are in place before we can see HIS hand at work in our behalf. We may have to have an attitude adjustment before GOD can work in our life. Nothing in our life ever goes unnoticed by GOD because HE cares for HIS children.

Let’s read Exodus 3:19-21:

19 “However, I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go, unless [he is forced]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. by a strong hand. 20 I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles that I will perform in it. After that, he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you go, you will not go empty-handed.
GOD knows our opposition. HE knows our enemies or opposition as intimately as HE knows us. HE knows the Pharaoh/king will not allow HIS people leave unless he is forced to do so.

The Pharaoh and his subjects considered him to be divine. This concept establishes a battle between a human, the Pharaoh/king, who thinks he is divine trying to battle the GOD represented by Moses. May the best one win? Guess who wins!

Notice the number of times GOD says what HE will do. No question WHO is in charge.

This battle will give GOD the opportunity to reveal HIMSELF to both the Pharaoh (king), his subjects and to the people of Israel. The king and the king’s subjects have to be brought to the point of realizing they have been defeated by the GOD of the Israelites. They also have to be shown that the gods of the Egyptians are no match to the GOD of the Israelites. GOD wants Pharaoh to be brought to the point of giving the Israelites ample possessions to leave Egypt. Remember Genesis 15:13-14.

Genesis 15:13-14:
13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know this for certain: Your offspring will be strangers[7] Ex 22:21; 23:9 in a land that does not belong to them; they will be enslaved and oppressed[8] Lit will serve them and they will oppress them 400 years.[9] Ex 12:40 14 However, I will judge the nation they serve,[10] Ex 6:6; 7:4; 12:12 and afterwards they will go out with many possessions.[11] Ex 3:22

GOD knows the Israelites need to leave with many possessions because HE will send them the long way to the Promised Land.

GOD will reveal HIMSELF through signs, wonders and miracles for all to know that HE is who says HE is and HE can do what HE says HE can do.

Let’s read Exodus 4:10-12:

10 But Moses replied to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since You have been speaking to Your servant[3] Moses —because I am slow and hesitant in speech.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who made the human mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.”

Moses makes many excuses. This is excuse number two (2).
He tells GOD that he is not eloquent. Some think Moses is saying that he has forgotten the Egyptian language. Moses gives five (5) excuses why he cannot do what GOD has asked him to do.

The LORD does not accept his excuses. HE attempts to reveal to Moses that HE is all powerful and HE will help him to speak and teach him what to say.

This is a message to us as well. When GOD calls us, HE already knows us and knows we are the ones to do what HE has asked us to do. HE equips us to do what needs to be done or HE expects us to depend upon HIM to do the impossible for us.

Our short comings never limit GOD, however, our fear and lack of obedience can limit GOD working through us.

When GOD calls us, HE expects us to respond because HE has already chosen us for the assignment. Remember HE knows us, HE knows all about us. HE knows our name and even to the number of hairs we have on our head. HE is our creator and HE planned when, where and to whom we would be born. HE knows the circumstances in our life which will be needed for the assignment HE has for us.

Let’s read Exodus 4:27-31:

27 Now the Lord had said to Aaron, “Go and meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28 Moses told Aaron everything the Lord had sent him to say, and about all the signs He had commanded him [to do]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. . 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites. 30 Aaron repeated everything the Lord had said to Moses and performed the signs before the people. 31 The people believed, and when they heard that the Lord had paid attention to them and that He had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

We fast forward and Moses meets his older brother Aaron at the mountain of GOD, Mount Horeb (Sinai). GOD gives in to Moses excuses by allowing Aaron to speak for Moses and even allowing Aaron to perform the signs GOD had shown Moses – Moses staff turning into a serpent, his hand becoming leprous and taking water from the Nile, pouring it onto the dry ground and it turning into blood.

Aaron and Moses met with the elders of the Israelites. Aaron demonstrated the signs GOD revealed to Moses. The elders believed they were GOD’S representatives. This resulted in them worshipping GOD.

Signs, wonders and miracles get our attention and result in our worship of GOD. We have to be careful not to get caught up in the signs, wonders and miracles and fail to build a relationship with GOD. We all love signs, wonders and miracles. They warm our hearts but they can result in us having an external, superficial relationship with GOD. The greatest wonder is CHRIST in us.

GOD has given us signs, wonders and miracles to reveal to us some of the things HE can do. HIS WORD demonstrates to us that GOD can be trusted and HE can do what HE says HE can do.

The type of relationship we have with GOD determines what we do next when GOD asks us to do something for HIM. Do we have the relationship with CHRIST such that we will trust in GOD’S purpose and power for our life?

The Bible tells us what GOD can do, the raising HIS SON JESUS from the dead, forgiveness of sin, giving us eternal life, grace and gifts of the SPIRIT. This same power is in each of us. So why is this power not manifested through us?

I believe it is because we do not have the relationship with GOD such that we really believe GOD can and will do what HE says HE can and will do through us. Power can corrupt us and GOD will never give something to us that will harm us. We must have the relationship with HIM such that when HE manifests HIS power through us that it will not go to our heads. I am convinced, if we are willing and yield our life to HIM, HE will prepare us for a mighty work in our life.

GOD is preparing HIS people to leave a life of bondage and slavery, to travel to a land flowing with milk and honey. At the same time GOD is preparing the Israelites in Egypt, HE is preparing the Promised Land to be a fertile place to live. People are living in the Promised Land shaping it, without their knowledge, into a place for GOD’S people.

GOD is making Himself known to the Israelites and building trust and confidence with them. GOD never overrides our right to choose. We see that in the life of the Israelites. GOD leads them but the final decision is up to them.

GOD leads us but whether or not we continue to trust and follow HIM when things seem impossible will be up to us. The title of our study is “I Will Trust in GOD’S Purpose and Power.” It is easy to utter these words when life is going well but very difficult when our world seems to be crumbling around us.

I am convinced it is only when we have a healthy relationship with our FATHER, through CHRIST, that our hope and confidence can be sustained when dark times come into our life. I am equally convinced that when we experience the power of GOD in our lives, we must have this same relationship to maintain a healthy balance in our lives as obedient Christians.

Our study reveals that GOD chooses to work through humans who are not perfect. Moses had a number of excuses expressing why he was not the one for the job but GOD worked with him and his brother Aaron to accomplish HIS plan and purpose. Aaron began as the spokesperson but once Moses overcame his fear then he assumed the leadership position GOD wanted him to have in the first place. There are times GOD allows others to come along side of us to give us the courage to continue our walk with the LORD.

GOD gives us these encounters in the Bible to reveal HIS nature and character to us today. When GOD calls us, respond, because the journey will be awesome. GOD told Moses HE would help him and would be his teacher. HE did through Aaron.

GOD has given each believer the HOLY SPIRIT to instruct us, enlighten us, to equip us and to manifest HIS power through us. If you are not experiencing the presence of GOD in your life, ask GOD to reveal to you why. Then partner with GOD to build the relationship with HIM that will glorify HIM.