Tag: mountain of God

42.q. “Wilderness” – 5. Jethro heard and is now coming

 

Exodus 18:1  Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.   Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her home,  along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”), and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,”

Do you ever wonder how Jethro heard of all that God had done? Without mail, email, phones, texting, social media, internet, TV, radio, news media, etc…. he heard of the work God had done.  How is this possible? People spoke of it. People who were amazed at how God provided an exodus out of Egypt for the Israelites. I imagine a traveler stole of it and it went something like this; “ I have just Come through Egypt.  The Israelite slaves are all gone. There are none to be found. Pharaoh and all of his chariots and men were drowned in the Red Sea. Prior to this all of the firstborn of all of the Egyptians died, and all of their livestock firstborn died too. Prior to this, there were many plagues of such wonder that only God could have done it. Now it is said that the Israelites are wandering around in the wilderness.  They say their God is with them and it is displayed by a cloud by day and fire by night. We have even heard that when they were attacked by Amalekites the Amalekites were amazingly defeated by them.”

More than one report surely came to Jethro and most assuredly he inquired of any passing through.  Let us be mindful of sharing what we have seen God do in people’s lives. How He has changed them. How He has blessed them. How He has protected them. How He has given them peace, rest, and joy. How He has healed them. How He has delivered them from addiction. We never know how God will use it but He will for His good. Some will reject what you say. However, the next time they hear something from another person it might just be the softening of their heart that leads them to repentance and eternal life.

41.g. “Expect God’s leading”

 

Exodus 4:14  Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

Exodus 4:27  The LORD said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

In verse 4:14 we read God telling Moses that Aaron is on his way, and in 4:27 God telling Aaron to go meet Moses.  Surely we do not know all that God orchestrates. While we may be in a state of worry or fear at His leading or path for our lives we know that all things work together for good for those He has called. The task may seem too difficult and our abilities massively lacking, but God has plans and purposes far beyond our understanding. What God has sent into motion will be accomplished. Oh, we can fight and try to block these words of instruction and leading with every excuse known to man, but God has already defeated these concerns of ours.  I’m not good enough, smart enough, old enough, young enough, healthy enough, wise enough, wealthy enough, strong enough, equipped enough, etc…… to do what God is leading and directing us to do.  On the other hand, we expect God to be at our beckoning call when things around us go wrong. We treat God as though He were our magic genie who responds to our wishes and we need not give Him another thought other than to get something from Him when we need it. 

Think about how much time is spent each day without a single reflection on God’s Word with an expectant heart and mind to hear the quiet whispers of God into our lives. We neglect His Word, and I venture to say we do it, willingly so that we do not hear God speaking into our lives. It is a passive/aggressive posture.  We passively neglect His Word and aggressively block our hearts and minds from His leading. 

What would our lives be like if we purposely and intentionally had a heart, mind, and soul that desired to hear God’s Word speak into our lives through the Holy Spirit’s leading? Would our lives be as hectic? Would they be less stressful? Would we have more peace and rest in our souls? Would things in this world distract us so easily? Would we be so easily led astray on paths away from God? Would we begin to understand His Holiness and our sinfulness to a deeper level? Would our lives begin to reflect a light of hope to those around us? Would we begin to discern that which honor and glorifies Jesus Christ and that which does not? Do we hope to grow in this understanding by neglecting His Word? 

God, show me my heart in light of your Holiness and lead me on paths that honor and glorify Jesus Christ. When I am weak, strengthen me. When I am fearful, give me courage. When I am lost, guide me. When I am angry, fill me with love. When I am self-reliant, take it away. When I am unhappy and discouraged, fill me with rejoicing. It is in You I find hope, love, joy, power, purpose, and meaning for my life on this side of eternity.