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July
14, 2008
Text: Exodus 3-4
Theme: Personal Prayers
ARE PERSONAL PRAYERS ALSO SIGNIFICANT?
1. Moses as an example of one who offered an intensely personal prayer
2. Personal prayers are both valid and potentially significant
THE CONTEXT OF THE PERSONAL PRAYER OF MOSES
1. The Calling of God
2. The Commissioning of Moses to deliver Israel out of Egypt
AN EXAMINATION OF THE PERSONAL PRAYER OF MOSES
1. The first prayer: Inadequate knowledge of God
"Then Moses said to God, 'Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them,
'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?" Exodus 3:13
a) Anticipation of valid query by the children of Israel
b) The servant of God would be severely challenged with reference to his personal knowledge of the Lord!
c) Difficult question: "What is His name?"
2. An Answer from God
"And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM." And He said, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Exodus 3:14 (See full answer Exodus 3:14-22)
a) There are answers
b) God's answer can be very full and profound
i) The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Exodus 3:15
ii) Giving a wonderful message of deliverance Exodus 3:16-17
iii) God's plan for deliverance revealed Exodus 3:18-22
iv) God's power will be deployed Exodus 3:19-22
3. A second prayer: Fear of Rejection
"Then Moses answered and said, 'But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.'" Exodus 4:1
a) Fear of not being believed by the children of Israel
b) Fear of rejection
c) Moses had been away from Egypt for 4 decades!
4. Another answer from God
"So the LORD said to him, 'What is that in your hand?" Exodus 4:2A
(Another full and profound answer was given Exodus 4:2-9)
a) Two signs were given to Moses as part of the answer
i) Sign of the rod transformed into a snake Exodus 4:2-5
ii) Sign of a leprous hand healed Exodus 4:6-8
b) A third sign would be offered if the above were not accepted
The turning of water into blood Exodus 4:9
5. A third prayer: Lacking eloquence
"Then Moses said to the Lord, 'O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." Exodus 4:10
a) Lacking eloquence
b) Slow of speech and slow of tongue
c) Might well be reflective of not being able to speak fluent Egyptian, having been away from the court of Pharaoh for forty years
6. A third answer from God
"So the LORD said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." Exodus 4:11-12
a) God provides a different kind of answer this time round
b) He promises to be with Moses and to teach him how to speak
c) He expects obedience from Moses
Sternness may be found in this reply to Moses!
7. A fourth plea voiced
"But he said, 'O my LORD, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.'" Exodus 4:13
a) Moses expresses great reluctance
b)He pleads with God to send someone else!
8. God's anger aroused against Moses
"So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said..." Exodus 4:14a
(Full and profound answer from the Lord Exodus 4:14-17)
a) God will give Aaron as his assistant Exodus 4:14
b) Moses however will have to give the word of instruction to Aaron Exodus 4:15
c) Aaron would only be the spokesman Exodus 4:16
d) Moses is the appointed representative of the Lord
"And you shall be to him as God" Exodus 4:16
SIGNIFICANT LESSONS
1. Personal queries are allowed
a) Genuine questions will be entertained
b) Spurious conclusions are frowned upon!
2. God will take the time to reply
a) His replies would represent His instruction
b) He expects the following from the petitioner:-
i) Understanding
ii) Faith
iii) Compliance
iv) Action to be taken
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