Moses, Matthew, and me ( you too, but I was going for three M’s!)
By Dean Collins
Reading the first few chapters of Exodus today alongside Matthew 10 started me thinking about our role in God’s story. What struck me was that in both the case of Moses and of the apostles, they were each doing something else when they were called by God. Everyone’s story is different, but I suspect we can find some points of identification with both Moses and the apostles.
Rescuer
It seems that Moses was destined to be a rescuer. Was it genetics, learned experience, or God’s call at the burning bush that positioned him to lead the children of Israel out of bondage? I think the answer could be yes to all of the above. “Moses” literally means to pull or draw out, a perfect name for him because Pharaoh’s daughter pulled him put pf the Nile when he was still an infant. His very life began with a rescue.
Moses may have been raised in a palace, but he knew his family roots. When he saw his people being treated harshly by the Egyptians, his inner rescuer kicked in. Unfortunately, Moses took things into his own hands and killed the Egyptian who was beating one of his own people. Knowing how Pharaoh would react, Moses fled to safety.
In the next scene we find Moses can’t help but rescue yet again. This time he came to the aid of the daughters of the priest of Midian. Nearby shepherds were preventing the daughters of the priest from watering their flocks. Moses stood up to the shepherds and watered the flocks of Midian’s daughters. When their father, Reuel, heard of this heroic act, he brought Moses to his home and gave one of his daughters to Moses to marry.
At the burning bush, God called this flawed rescuer to be his spokesman to Pharaoh. Maybe it’s just a coincidence that God chose to use one who was rescued but had also failed in his first rescue to be the one to save his people from Egyptian slavery. Certainly, God wants to write amazing stories through all of us. When one is willing to be obedient even with hesitation, God will use our gifts and our flaws and write a story that is greater than anything we can imagine or do on our own.
Partners
I suspect if we could interview the apostles they would share a similar story. Each had skills or talents. Each was trying to provide for himself and his family. And when Jesus called them to follow him, he met them where they were and accepted and then equipped them by his Spirit to do far more than any of them thought possible. When obedience is added to our personalities and abilities, then God has the perfect combination to transform the world.
In the case of Moses and with the apostles, there was assurance that God would be with them on their respective assignments. There was no promise that things would be easy. In fact, it was just the opposite. All adventures with God are filled with challenges, but he never abandons his partners on their mission. When we step into our kingdom assignment, God will walk with us through every step of the mission. No obedience is ignored by God.
From the story of Moses and through the lives and eventual deaths of the apostles, we see that God will accomplish his mission. His kingdom extends more and more each day. Some days we may think we are not accomplishing much. I suspect there were days Moses and the apostles felt the same. But as we share the mercy of God with others, his mercy and kindness will flood over us as well. The only requirement we must meet today is to place our lives in the hands of God. He will bless our obedience, and someone’s life will be changed for his glory.
Your time with God’s Word
Matthew 10: 19-20, 26-33; Exodus 2:15-24; 3:1-12 ESV
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