Moses, in our reading today, is going in front the Isrealite people to say that God has sent him to lead them. On top of it, he is also going to have to stand up to the ruler of arguably the most powerful nation at the time, and ask that the Isrealites be able to leave Egypt. Pharoah, the Egyptian ruler, detests the Isrealites, sees them as slave labor, and has absolutely no respect for their God. Why would he let them worship a God that his culture doesn't believe is the true God? For that matter, how would the Isrealites know that they were following, quite literally, the true God? How would Moses know that he could trust the words he heard? Sounds very much like many of the questions that go through our minds at times, doesn't it?Today as you read, make a list - literally grab a piece of paper and a pencil. List all the ways that God, our God, the true God made himself known to mankind. Next to each item, list what that tells us about him. See what God has shown you about himself!
Before You Read - Background of the Book of Exodus: A number of years has past since the end of our last reading in Genesis. The children of Isreal (aka Jacob) have grown numerous in the "incubator" of Egypt. However, we are told a new pharaoh came to power "to whom Joseph meant nothing" (1:8). This may have been Seti I who consolidated power under a new dynasty and subjected the "Hyksos" (possibly the Egyptian term for the Hebrews/Isrealites) who had ruled Lower Egypt. He continued his father Ramses II's building projects, quite possibly using the Hebrews as his slave labor. But while the Pharoah thinks he has masterfully brought the Isrealites into subjection and at the same time found cheap labor, God has other plans and is already raising up a new leader....
Time to Slow it Down - Pages 48 "I am the Lord."
How many times on this page does God say, "I am the Lord?" Does it seem odd that he repeats this phrase?
- What do you think he is trying to get at by repeating this phrase?
- Between these phrases, God describes what he has or will do. List (yes, it actually helps to write it down) each of the verbs God uses to describe his actions.
- How do each of these acts define who he is? What do they tell us about the Lord?
- What things does the Lord want Moses to think of when he hears his name? What do you think of when you hear the name of the Lord?
God has recently told his name to Moses (see page 46). While the precise meaning of the LORD (YHWH or Yahweh or Jehovah) is unclear (see "For those who like more"), the root of the word is related to the verb "to be" or "I am." Why would God chose such a name?
When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder: My parents recently got back from a trip to the Middle East. While they were there, they got to see the pyramids. Even when I was little, I remember my mom talking about wanting to see the pyramids. 
The grandiose work of the pharaohs remain today. Compared to the works of the Isrealites from that time, the Egyptians clearly outdid them. But in terms of the works of their gods, the Isrealites are clearly the winners. What have the Egyptian gods done? Or maybe I should ask, have the Egyptian gods done anything? Of course not, they aren't even real! Now compare that with the God of the Isrealites, the LORD. He sent the plagues, divided the Red Sea, sent food and water, protected his people, took on human flesh, rose from the dead, and brought you and me to faith - just for starters.
I can't get over the LORD's answer to Moses, when Moses asked how it could be that he would lead the Isrealites out of Egypt. The Lord explained that it wasn't Moses leading the people, but the Lord would be leading the people with Moses. Then he gives Moses a sign to assure him that this promise would be kept. He says, "When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain" (p. 46). Think about it; that's like saying, "I promise you will be rich some day, and to prove it, you will live in this mansion." It's really not much of a sign at all. All it is, is another promise. The sign itself requires faith! Moses simply was to have faith that the Lord would keep his word.
Did you notice all the signs the Lord gave of his power: the burning bush, the plagues, the red sea, the pillar of smoke and fire, the miracles in the desert. Do you wonder why the Lord decided to send 10 different plagues? If he knew that Pharaoh wouldn't give in until the death of the firstborn, why go through all of the other signs? The LORD was giving time for Pharaoh to repent. He showed Pharaoh his power time and time and time again. Each time, however, Pharaoh and the Egyptians hardened their heart. Eventually the Lord hardened his heart (p. 54) and brought judgment on the Egyptians for rejecting him. Death was the result of unbelief.
Are things much different today? The LORD has truly made himself known as the true God. We look around at nature and see his power. We have recorded in the scriptures his miraculous works. He has revealed himself to us. Yet people time and time again reject him. Scientists, much like the Egyptian magicians, claim that they can recreate God's works. (Yet much like the Egyptian magicians, we still can't explain the miracles God did or does. We still wonder, "How did he do that?") People harden their hearts to God's Word. At some point, God's judgment will come, and the result will be death - eternal death.
On the other hand, much like Moses, we live by faith. We trust that God will keep his promises, simply because he said so. Do we marvel at his works and his power? Of course! But when it comes down to it, is that why we believe in him? No. We live by faith. What sign does God give us that he will lead us out of this foreign land of earth? He says, "When I have destroyed the earth and brought you through the judgement, you will worship God around his throne in heaven." That is why we believe - because of a promise.
Making it My Own: The LORD has made a pretty big deal about his name in this lesson. I think by now you can see why. First of all, because he wanted to be known as the true God. But there is more than that. It is also because he gives us his name to call on in trouble. Here is a transcendent God who is bigger, more powerful, more...everything...than we can think or imagine. Yet he has revealed himself to us. Why? So that he can dominate and rule us like Pharaoh ruled the Isrealites? No! Why did the LORD come to Moses? "I have seen the misery of my people" (p. 46). He comes to us, reveals himself to us, and shares his name with us, why? Because he loves us and wants to help us! Amazing!
There are many things that God is: God IS all-powerful. God IS all-knowing. God IS everywhere. God IS eternal. It's no wonder that he calls himself the God who "IS." Even when nothing else existed, God still "IS." And yet how does he want to be known? What does he want us to think about when we hear his name? "God IS love." (1 John 4:8).
When is God praised? When does he get glory? "I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord" (p. 53). God's name is glorified when people not only acknowledge him as the true God, but when they see his love in rescuing his people.
It really bothers me when people throw around God's name like it is no big deal. "God," "Jesus Christ," "Oh Lord," are all names God has given us not to interject into sentences, but to pray to him. In fact, he says to us in the Second Commandment, "You shall not use the LORD's name in vain." But Luther explains so clearly why we shouldn't use his name heedlessly, "But call upon [his name] in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks." God reveals his name to us so that our lives may be blessed through it.
Watch how you and those around you use his name. When you use it or hear it used without any thought, stop to pause and think exactly why the Lord has revealed himself to us and what that name means to you."
Prayer/Hymn:
Jesus! Name of wondrous love!Name all other names above!
Unto which must every knee
Bow in deep humility.
Jesus! Name of priceless worth
To the fallen sons of earth,
For the promise that it gave—
“Jesus shall His people save.”
Jesus! Name of mercy mild,
Given to the holy Child,
When the cup of human woe
First He tasted here below.
Jesus! Only name that’s given
Under all the mighty heaven,
Whereby man, to sin enslaved,
Bursts his fetters, and is saved.
Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Human name of God above!
Pleading only this, we flee,
Helpless, O our God, to Thee.
For those who like more:
- I haven't even mentioned the great foreshadowing of our Passover Lamb. How does Passover picture Christ? While Passover pictured Jesus who was to come, how does the Lord's supper (instituted by Jesus during the Passover meal) remember and seal what Christ has already done?
- Romans 9:1-28
- What point does Paul make in bringing up Pharaoh? According to Paul, what was God's purpose with Pharaoh?
- Have you ever thought, "Wouldn't it be cool to be God's special nation?" According to Paul, who makes up God's special nation?
- When did God put his name on you? When did you become the possession of the "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?"
- A short devotion on "The Lord our Righteousness" - Jeremiah 33 http://www.wels.net/spiritual-help/daily-devotion/2009-12/promise-wrapped-in-name-dec-4-2009
- The Theological and Practical Aspects of the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) http://www.wlsessays.net/node/1837
- And of course wikipedia's explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahweh
I never knew that God had sent certain plagues and that each plague the egyptians thought they had their own god for that plague. Thanks PB for sharing that info!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I learned something there too. There's a neat little chart in the book "Exploring the Story: A Reference Companion" which highlights that along with the comment: "It is nearly impossible to overstate the faith-shaking effect the ten plagues must have had on the Egyptian people. Each plague put one of their deities in the crosshairs and brought it down. Through his judgments, God was not only punishing Pharaoh for his disobedience, he was asserting his power and authority over the Egyptian gods, destroying the very foundations of Egyptian power and rule."
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