Wait… What!? – Three Surprising Lessons from Moses’ Call in Exodus 4–6

Listen to today’s passage – Exodus 4 – 6 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 4

(Second Milers also read – Mark 13 – 14; Proverbs 21; Psalms 101 – 105

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read previous posts from this passage – “Expect Opposition,“ and “What’s Your Excuse?”

Read the “0121 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

I don’t know how many times I have said those words to myself while reading this book. Exodus is fascinating. It is full of unbelievable stories played out by some very interesting characters. If you read the Book of Exodus like a novel that you’re interested in, and not just out of good Christian duty, it really brings the stories and characters to life.

The main character of Exodus is Moses, and the first few chapters really give an insight into God developing him first as a believer, then as a leader. 

In Chapter 3, God tells Moses that He is going to do something big, and that Moses is the man He has chosen to do it through. This came as a shock to Moses. By this time, Moses was already getting up there in years, and was probably pretty set in his ways with a good life. What God was asking him to do now was going to change everything. 

In Chapter 4, God begins to teach Moses some things that I believe we can learn from:

  1. If God asks you to do something for Him, He will give you everything you need.

“And he said, Certainly I will be with thee…” (Exodus 3:12a)

“And the LORD said unto him, What is in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent;…” (Exodus 4:2 – 3a)

“Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” (Exodus 4:12)

2.  Sometimes, He will ask you to do something that scares you.

“And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail…” (Exodus 4:3 – 4)

Wait…what!? Moses was my kind of guy! It says that when he saw the snake, he fled! And if you know anything about snakes, you know that you don’t try to catch them by the tail. This was something that scared Moses. But God was teaching him to just trust Him. It might scare you, and it might not make sense, but if God is asking you to do it, trust Him.

3.  Sometimes, He will ask you to do something that might be painful.

“And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.” (Exodus 4:6)

Wait…what!? Leprosy was a horrible, painful disease that would cause people to have to separate from their friends and family. 

Can you imagine being Moses in this moment? Going about, minding your own business, then God shows up and things go crazy. God would continue to have to teach Moses many more lessons on trusting Him. Moses was not yet convinced, and came up with excuse after excuse about why God has chosen the wrong man. But Moses was God’s man, and God would use him in a mighty way. Moses’ life had many ups and downs. Happy times and great victories, and sad times and regrets. But that was Moses life, and that is your life. There will be many times in your Christian life where you scratch your head and say, “wait…what!?” And God is saying, “Just trust Me.” None of us know what all God has in store for our lives, but we can know that He knows, and that He loves us. Sometimes it will scare us, sometimes it will hurt. But He will always give us exactly what we need, when we need it. We just need to trust Him.

Has God ever given you a ‘Wait… What!?’ assignment that scared you or felt painful at first? Share below—I’d love to hear your story!

Phil Erickson Jr. and his wife, Katelyn, serve the Lord at the First Baptist Church of Cottondale, TX. They have four sons – Jaxon, Caleb, Philip III, and Kade.


Posted in Devotions, Guest Posts, Thoughts from Exodus and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , by with 9 comments.

People Can Change

Today’s Passage – Genesis 43 – 44 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 5 – 6; Proverbs 17; Psalms 81 – 85)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1 – 4

Read the “0117 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s reading passage – “Passed the Test,” “Bereaved Again,” and “The Joseph Principle.”

One year ago today, I shared this devotion on how God changed Judah—and how He can change us. As I reread it this morning, I’m reminded afresh of the ongoing work of sanctification in my own life this past year. I pray it encourages you.

“And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.” (Genesis 37:26 & 27)

“Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.” (Genesis 44:33 & 34)

There is quite a contrast between the events that take place in chapter 37 and those that happen in chapter 44 of the Book of Genesis. In chapter 37, the brothers of Joseph want to put Joseph to death (all except Reuben). Judah, who is the fourth oldest son comes up with idea of selling his brother into slavery. While his idea spared Joseph’s life, consider the devastating pain it inflicted on their father, Jacob. Now, I am sure that most of us are familiar with the events that transpired in the life of Joseph; they are recorded in these chapters – 37 through 44. God had his hand on Joseph, and although he certainly suffered, God raised him up to a position of great influence and authority. But what about Jacob? For years Jacob thought his favorite son, Joseph, was dead. Joseph’s brothers had no problem going home and telling their father that their brother was killed by some wild beast. How could their level of compassion and care for their father be so low that they would be willing to put him through the tragic loss of Joseph.

There is certainly a change, however, in chapter 44. Joseph puts his brothers through a series of tests. (You will have to read the story for yourself in order to fully grasp the thought I am trying to convey here.) The final test is when Joseph arranges to “set up” Benjamin his youngest brother. It seems Joseph may have been seeking to protect Benjamin by keeping him in Egypt, away from potential harm by his brothers. He tells the brothers that Benjamin is going to have to be kept as a bondman in Egypt. But notice how Judah intercedes this time for his brother. He remembers what the loss of Joseph did to his father, and now he is doing everything in his power to keep the same thing from happening to Benjamin. He knows that the loss of Benjamin will completely destroy his father. He even goes as far as to offer to take the place of Benjamin. This is certainly a change from his earlier days.

Fast-forward to Genesis 44, and we see a remarkable transformation in Judah – God changed him. God can change you and I too. People can change. I believe the best way to bring about the needed changes in your life is for you to get as close to God as you can. I am convinced that as we draw nigh to God, He will purge the dross from our lives, and conform us to the image of the Lord Jesus. Do you desire to remain the same or do you desire to be more like Jesus in your life? Judah certainly bore a resemblance to the Lord Jesus here in chapter 44 in the way that he interceded for his brother, and by the way he was willing to be a substitute. Perhaps this is why God chose Judah, not Reuben, Simeon, or Levi to be the tribe that would give to the world the Lord Jesus.

God can do the same for you and me as we yield our lives and our will to Him. Salvation will bring about a dramatic change in your life, both eternally and while you are still living down here on the earth. It’s called sanctification. Salvation (justification) is immediate, sanctification is the process through which God gradually conforms you to the image of Christ. 

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – (2 Corinthians 5:17)

As you yield to God’s Holy Spirit, surrender to God’s will, and saturate yourself in God’s Word, He will change you. 

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – (Romans 12:2)

As we begin another year, where do you sense God calling you to change? Draw near to Him through His Word, prayer, and surrender—He is faithful to transform us.

If this devotion speaks to you, share how God has changed you in the comments below—I’d love to hear your testimony.


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Genesis and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , by with 2 comments.

Joseph and Daniel – They Stood Before Kings

Today’s Passage – Genesis 41 – 42 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 3 – 4; Proverbs 16; Psalms 76 – 80

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Ephesians 4:32

Read previous posts from this passage – “In His Time,“ and “To God Be the Glory.“

Read the “0116 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Joseph’s rise from prison to Pharaoh’s right hand reminded me strongly of Daniel’s story. As I was reflecting on today’s passage regarding Joseph, I was struck with how many comparisons could be made between him and Daniel. Both of these men were placed in foreign and godless nations under very adverse circumstances, yet they both stood out among their peers, glorified the Lord in front of people who did not know Him, and represented Him to these nations’ kings.

 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” (Proverbs 22:29)

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (Genesis 41:16)

“27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;” (Daniel 2:27-28)

Key Parallels Between Joseph and Daniel

  1. They were both young men when we are introduced to them in the pages of Scripture.

  2. They were both in captivity. Daniel was taken captive along with many others when Babylon conquered Judah, and Joseph was sold into captivity by his envious brothers.

  3. They both were pictures of Christ in that there is nothing recorded against them in the Scripture. To be sure, both of these men were sinners, but the Bible does not reveal any of their sin. Christ was sinless; He “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15).

  4. They both retained their testimonies in the face of very difficult circumstances. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, thrown into prison, and forgotten by the chief butler who promised to help him. Daniel was taken into captivity and made into a eunuch because his nation had forsaken God. In captivity, it was only Daniel and his three friends who stood firmly for God while many other Jewish captives compromised.

  5. They were both brought before a king because of a dream, and both were able to interpret the king’s dream when others could not.

  6. They both had their names changed by the king. Joseph’s name was changed to Zaphnathpaaneah, and Daniel’s name was changed to Belteshazzar. They were both known in Scripture, however, by their Hebrew names.

  7. They were both elevated out of captivity and promoted to the second highest position in the kingdom (next to the king).

  8. They both continued to serve God after their promotion. Neither of them let the power or the position go to their heads. They both understood that it was God that had given them the position, and that He had a purpose for them within it.

I am sure there are many more parallels that we could add but these are the ones that popped into my head. These two men were both wonderful examples of godly lives surrendered to the Lord. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had some more men (and women) like Joseph and Daniel in our world today?

What parallels between Joseph and Daniel stood out to you? If you can think of any other parallels, let us know in the comments.

Questions for Reflection
  • What “captivity” or difficult circumstances are you facing right now, and how can Joseph’s and Daniel’s examples encourage you to maintain your testimony?
  • Proverbs 22:29 promises that diligence leads to standing before kings—where in your daily work, family, or ministry could greater diligence open doors for greater influence?
  • Like Joseph and Daniel, how can you more intentionally give God the glory in conversations with unbelievers or people in authority?
  • In what ways do Joseph and Daniel point you to Christ, and how does that truth comfort or challenge you today?
  • Who in your life needs to see a modern example of a surrendered, godly life like these two men?

Take a moment to pray and ask God to make you that kind of difference-maker.

I would love to hear your thoughts – Leave a comment!

.


Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Genesis and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , by with 6 comments.