~Old Testament Scenarios~
Exodus
“When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses.
But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh
and dwelt in the land of Midian...”
Exodus 2:15 (NASB)
"Facing Our Mistakes"
When Moses got the strong urge to escape from his mistake, I wonder if during his panic attack, he began to hyperventilate? As the full force of adrenalin was pumping his heart as he ran, did he gasp for every single breath as fear overtook him? I wonder if he felt like his whole body was disconnected as his arms were flailing in the air while running for his life. The Bible is silent with details at how Moses fled, but he was an ordinary man and I’m sure his body reacted similarly to how anyone does under stress. One thing for sure, with enough time under the blazing sun and sweltering temperatures of a barren desert, dehydration got the best of him. This must have slowed him down to give him plenty of time to “rethink” his actions.
Moses witnesses an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave. Because Moses identified with the suffering and injustice put upon these Hebrew slaves, he attempted to break it up. In doing so, he also kills the Egyptian and this was a capital offense. When Moses found out that Pharaoh heard what happened, he fled for his life and into the desert.
Do you think Moses wanted to kick himself for losing his temper… again? Did his thoughts travel the road of, “if only”? If only he didn’t go that way, if only he hadn’t looked that way. In the desolation, separation, and isolation of a desert, was it hard for him to think about the plush life he gave up, now for a life wandering the desert? His motivation and compassion was right in every way, but the method he used would never be right. God can use our mistakes (yes, we still will live with consequences for those mistakes) for in His wisdom the Lord will use this time in the desert to draw out the soft life Moses had become accustomed to. There are always lessons to be learned in “the desert”.
Is now the right time to face your fears - your mistakes? Have you felt paralyzed by your emotions or by the lie of shame? Are your thoughts out of control to the point that they could possibly be distorted? Have you ever wondered how in the world God will fix this problem of yours? Are you trying to escape from an event, person, or your own poor choices? Do you honestly think you can run from your problems or that your problems are too big for the Lord to handle? Didn’t Jesus die for that sin - your sin? If you are a child of God’s and you have accepted Christ in your life, then you’ve been given the Holy Spirit to help you see that sin, to repent of it, and then to know you’ve been washed clean of it. This is the Good News! Amazing Love poured out for us. You are free in Christ!
Have you stopped to think what it was like for Moses to face those hot draining days and cold lonely nights traveling forward, yet never knowing where he was going, or how long it would take? As hours passed, did he wonder if he would die there in the desert? Did he call out to the Lord? In his difficulties and confusion, did he feel that God had forgotten or turned his back on him because of his sin? Have you ever felt that way... maybe even just a little bit?
Take in a big breath, and let’s see God’s amazing faithfulness and providence. We’ll read about the future God prepares for Moses and the mercy He has shown to the Hebrew people who had been oppressed as slaves. We can trust God’s same faithfulness towards each of us who are His children.
The Lord directed the steps of Moses by sending him to Midian where he stayed with Jethro, the priest of Midian, and was fed and looked after. Jethro had seven unmarried daughters and Moses chose and married the daughter Zipporah and they had a son. Then some forty years later, God reveals Himself in a burning bush to tell Moses he has seen and heard the cries of his people and that He would use Moses to not only face Pharaoh, but would lead the Hebrew people out of bondage and into a land of milk and honey.
Moses couldn't have known that this sojourning as a “desert man” would toughen him up for the walk of faith that was needed ahead of him. But he would learn to hear God's voice, to be a strong leader, and he would learn to control his temper. Moses became an instrument of God's power and mercy. The Lord uses our “desert times” to strip away all of our “self”… self-dependence, self-centeredness, and self-assurance. God had a calling on Moses’ life, just like He has a calling on each of ours, and will do what it takes to get each of us ready for it. Through the promise to Jacob (Gen 28:15) we can trust that the Lord is with us, watching over us, and will not leave us until what He has promised is done. God will use whatever is needed to shape us for the destiny He has for us. So, will you begin to train your ear and heart to hear the voice of God? It is a discipline.
Are you uncertain of your future, feeling pressed and alone, or maybe you have run ahead of God? Are you out of His will? Can you believe that this thing you fear could be used to mature you and teach you dependence on the Lord? Take a moment and reflect on God’s holiness and see if there is some repenting you must do in order to get back in step with Him. Will you surrender all to Him… even surrender those fears? Maybe you are ready now to call out one of God’s Hebrew names, YAHWEH TSIDQENU -"The Lord Our Righteousness". We serve a God who loves us enough to want to restore us and bring us back into fellowship with Him. Pretty amazing, huh?
This is your day. God has given it to you. What will you do with it? If you have made some poor choices, stop those tears of self pity. Be convicted and cry over how your actions were against God’s best for your life. Repent and turn it over to God. Then, feel His love and acceptance and walk out in His grace!
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
and are justified freely by His grace
through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)