Moses Archives - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck December 15, 2020

Blog jesus, Moses, Prophet

Moses and the Great Prophet

Moses And The Great Prophet

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me [Moses] from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” – Deuteronomy 18:15

What is your favorite parable or analogy from the Bible?

One of the challenges of teaching the Bible to a congregation is the wide range of age, experience, and education. For example, I may read a picture book to children, but have a discussion group with adults, even though I’m teaching on the same topic to both. The challenge is finding the best way to help the people to understand.

It should go without saying that God is a great teacher. He knows His students well. So, he employs many different teaching techniques to help us to understand what He is teaching. One of God’s teaching techniques is examples in history.

In our passage for today, Moses is connected to Jesus. God would be raising up another prophet like Moses.

So, what does the historical figure of Moses teach us about Jesus?

Moses was a unique prophet. What made him special?

Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt.
Moses was the prophet by which God entered into a covenant with Israel.
Moses was able to enter the presence of God.
“The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” – Exodus 33:11
Moses delivered the Word of God to the people, but differently from other prophets. Since he spoke with God face to face, he was able to ask questions and get answers.
Moses led the people to the Promised Land.
Moses performed miracles.

Do you see how connecting Moses to Jesus helps us to better understand Jesus?

Jesus leads us out of the slavery of sin.
It is through Jesus that God entered into a new covenant with us.
Jesus was able to enter the presence of God.
Jesus spoke to the Father and only said to the people what the Father told Him. “The word that you hear is not mine [Jesus’] but the Father’s who sent me.” – John 14:24
Jesus leads us to the Promised Land of Heaven.
Jesus performed many miracles.

The More You Know
There is a common saying, “Scripture interprets Scripture.” The more we read the Bible, the better we understand it. As we read about Moses, we can learn about Jesus. As we read about Israel, we can learn about ourselves.

The more we read the Bible the more we see the richness of God’s plan of salvation which was worked out over thousands of years of history and enters our lives, even now.

Heavenly Father,

Create in me a burning desire to read Your Word. As I do, open my eyes and my mind to understand Your Word, to see the many connections throughout Your Word, and to have my faith strengthened by Your Word.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 17, 2019

Blog Burning Bush, Calling, Exodus, God Equips Us, Moses

God Calls Moses

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

-Exodus 3:11-12

Moses had a unique history. He was a Hebrew born in Egypt, but after he was born, in order to save his life, his mother sent him down a river in a basket which Pharaoh’s daughter found. She adopted Moses and he grew up in the palace. The first few years his own mother cared for him.

When he was grown, he saw an Egyptian abusing a Hebrew slave and killed the Egyptian. The next day he sees two Hebrews fighting and tries to stop them, but one says,

“Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?”

Realizing people knew he killed someone he flees to Midian where he ends up meeting the daughters of a priest of Midian and saving their flock. He soon after marries one of those daughters, has children, and begins tending sheep for the priest.

All the while, the slavery for the Hebrews in Egypt was getting worse. Pharaoh was abusing them badly. So, God decides to free them from Pharaoh’s hand. He chooses Moses to lead the way.

The Burning Bush
One day, while tending the flock, Moses sees a bush burning but not being consumed. He goes to investigate and God speaks to Him through the burning bush. He is terrified. God tells him to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let His (God’s) people go. So, Moses said, “Sure! Sounds like fun.”…not really. Moses wasn’t interested and begins coming up with excuses.

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
“Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
“What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”
“Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

If that weren’t enough, when God patiently answers all of Moses’ excuses, Moses just flatly says what he’s really been thinking,

“Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

Moses didn’t think he could do it and was probably afraid to go up against Pharaoh. None-the-less, God sends Him and through Moses God frees the Hebrews.

You really can’t blame Moses. That’s a scary task God sent Him on. We can look back and say,

“Geez, Moses, just trust God and go!”

However, how many times have we backed away from something God told us to do because we don’t feel qualified or are just plain afraid?

I’ve had a few conversations pretty similar to Moses’ conversation with God. “But God, I don’t know how.” “I’ve never done anything like that.” “No one is going to listen to me.” “Look, I don’t want to do it!!”

God shows Moses great patience in hearing and responding to his excuses. He also goes with Moses and does the heavy lifting. “Geez, Moses, just trust God and go” is little unfair, but it’s probably what we need to hear sometimes (except with your own name).

So, next time you think God is telling you to do something remember Moses. He didn’t feel qualified either. He was afraid, too. God still worked through him. He can work through You, too.

Sidenote:
Have you ever asked God for a sign? “God, if you really want me to do this, give me a sign.” I love the sign God says He’ll give Moses. “And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

How about that for a sign? AFTER YOU HAVE DONE WHAT I ASKED, You’ll know it was Me who sent you because you will worship on this mountain.

Dear Jesus,

Open my mind and my heart that I would be willing to go where You send me and do what You ask. Thank You for being faithful so I know I can trust You to lead me through anything You send me to do.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Moses

Moses and the Great Prophet

Moses And The Great Prophet

God Calls Moses

God Calls Moses

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL