Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Today's Scripture
Exodus 3:18; 14:15–31

“They will listen to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; let us now go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’”

...

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.” The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. (NRSV)

Reflection

The task before Moses is to return to Egypt and tell Pharoah to diminish his wealth and power by releasing the Hebrew slaves. It’s not exactly a walk in the park, but God has a plan and the means to make it happen. Not only does God tell Moses exactly what will occur, in proper order, God also has the answers for Moses’ objections.

“I cannot speak clearly, Lord.”

“Well, say this here, say that there, and Aaron will come along and orate with authority. Bring this staff; it will come in handy later. Now, go get clearance from your father-in-law and get a move on.”

How nice it would be (if frightening! and disconcerting to our neighbors!) to have the voice of the Lord telling us what to do each step of the way. What to do each day, who to approach, how to speak with them, how to counter their arguments. We’d have no questions about our path.

But this is not our lot in life. Instead of a burning bush, most times we have small embers to instruct us. But through time and practice, and faith, our small embers are enough to help us move hearts and do what’s right for God’s people.

Don’t lament that we don’t have God’s voice in a burning bush. Be happy for the faith handed down to us, like hot coals brought from fireplace to fireplace, the tools for a fire.

Prayer
Dearest God, Moses had his doubts, and so do I. But I have faith in you. Help me keep those embers alive in my heart, and show me how I can do the good that is meant for me to do. Amen.

Written by Jim Garner, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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