Monday 03 November 2014
- Bible Book:
- Exodus
]hen they heard that the LORD had given heed to the Israelites and that he had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped.” (v. 31)
Exodus 4:27 – 5:1
Monday 3 November 2014
Background
At the core of this passage is the enslavement ofGod's people in Egypt, crying out for respite and freedom. This,however, is the locus for hope: for God has noted their plight andseen their misery.
The key players (ie God's appointed leaders)were:
- Moses: to become the model prophet - but ironically, apathologically shy person as a public speaker (
- Aaron: to become the model priest - a fluent speaker, delightedto be working in harmony with and under the direction of Moses, ashis spokesperson (Exodus 4:14).
This is the beginning of the liberatingprocess:
- Moses has been addressed by God through the burning bush near'the mountain of God' (Horeb, also known as Sinai -
- Moses transmits to Aaron the authority to speak and act in hisname (and God's name)
- The leaders engage the elders of the people (who represent thepeople as a whole)
- A familiar process of engagement with God's message takesplace: Aaron speaks God's words; the people hear, believe and callon God for salvation; they worship God (See
- In the name of God and of Israel, Moses (through Aaron) engagesPharaoh, the tyrant who wields power over God's people.
To Ponder
- What situation in today's world most painfully represents foryou enslavement, oppression and misery? To what organisation canyou contribute in order to help movement towards freedom for theoppressed? Does your congregation support you?
- On what issues and in what ways can your local church or yourChristian denomination engage with your government on issues ofinjustice in your own society?
- The Christian gospel offers to each individual freedom from thepower of sin and from the fear of death. How does your church'sworship and nurture equip you to communicate this messageattractively and persuasively to your contemporaries?