It is only as one comes to know God personally that we can be effective in God’s service. In this section Moses encounters God three times.

1 – Moses before God in Midian (Exodus 4:18-23)

This is to persuade Moses that God is sovereign.

• He is sovereign in the realm of history (vs. 21). The heart (will) of Pharaoh was hardened by God. It is a sovereign act. See Romans 9:17-18. This does not deny Pharaoh’s moral responsibility. Several times Pharaoh resisted the will of God but it was God who started the process. This was a judicial act of God upon Pharaoh for his sin. However, it is a powerful act. Pharaoh will not let the people go for a three-day retreat and this will bring upon Egypt the judgment of God. The people will now be taken permanently out of Egypt by God.
• He is sovereign in election (vs. 22-23). The firstborn in the ancient Orient was the choicest, the special, and the sacred child. Israel is Gods’ chosen people, His firstborn son. We are chosen just the same – by sovereign election. If Pharaoh won’t let God’s firstborn go then God will kill Pharaoh’s firstborn.

2 – Moses meets God on his way to Egypt (Exodus 4:24-31)

This is to persuade Moses that God is perfectly holy. Moses has ignored the circumcision of one of his boys. This was the sign of God’s covenant with man. It was apparently due to the objection of his wife, who saw it as too bloody a ritual. God is going to kill Moses but Zipporah takes a flint stone and administers the rite and grudgingly throws the foreskin at Moses.

Although it was Zipporah who resisted the word and will of God, it was Moses who was to be struck down. The role of headship brings responsibility. Moses had attempted to accommodate his wife and so faced the wrath of God. Husbands are responsible for their own house. Moses had to get his own house in order before he enters into public service and into Pharaoh’s house. Moses realises now that God is perfectly holy and will not allow sin in His presence. Moses now moves on by himself and his family returns

3 – Moses meets God in Egypt (Exodus 5:1-6:8)

This is designed to lead Moses into a personal knowledge that his God is completely faithful. Pharaoh withdraws the people their supply of short straw and this causes them to spend all their time scouring the land, looking for straw. Moses is detested by the people. Moses is dejected when he appears before God.

The special significance of the name Yahweh had not yet been manifested to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his descendants. Yahweh is the God of the Covenant, who is true to his promises. God gives seven promises and each begins with “I will” and all are connected with God’s covenant to Abraham.

Moses needed to hear this. He was perplexed. This encounter changed the life of Moses. Moses was confident that the lives of the people of Israel would also be changed by meeting God. How do you know a man of God?

• Energy for God.
• Thoughts for God.
• Boldness for God.
• Contentment for God.

Moses is this kind of man. This person is produced by coming to know God personally.

Categories: Exodus