How important are covenant signs? Are they means of grace to be diligently used or nostalgic rituals to be casually employed? The story of Zipporah and the ‘bridegroom of blood’ is no literary detour from the exodus, but gets to the heart of our faith. Join us as we examine Exodus 4:18-26 and consider the importance of covenant ‘signs and seals.’
In this scene, as the Lord speaks to Moses, Moses is ultimately being set apart to his mission. In many ways, this is a commissioning to serve as the earthly vessel, the means by which God would deliver his people from Egypt. But this commission is given on the basis of the promises of God.
At eighty years old, Moses received the call he always wanted. He waited a lifetime. But now was it too late? He once tried to right every wrong. Now he opts out with excuse after excuse. And finally asks God to find someone else. But resisting God is futile. Moses had to learn this. And so do we. God is patient and kind to Moses, even in his struggle to obey. And he is patient and kind with us. Listen as we examine Exodus 3:11-4:17 and consider the futility and the foolishness of resisting God’s call.
“Deep calls to deep” the Psalmist laments. And deep answers deep! This is the truth of crying out to God. His ear is tuned to the cry of his children. He hears, he sees, he remembers, and he knows. No sorrow, trial, joy, crisis, or struggle slips past his loving gaze. The Hebrew people had been slaves of countless Pharaohs and through centuries of Egyptian history. They cried out. And God heard. They learned not only to cry over their condition, but to ‘cry out’ and to ‘cry out to God.’ Exodus 2:23-25 shows us this dynamic in a remarkable way. Listen as we examine what it teaches us about learning to cry out to God.
The idle moment screams, ‘don’t just stand there, do something.’ But God says, ‘don’t just do something, stand there.’ ‘Wait!’ is often God’s plan for us. Twenty-five times the Psalms counsel us to ‘wait upon the Lord.’ And the rest of the Bible takes up the theme. From Genesis to Revelation, waiting is on the docket.
Moses ran ahead of God’s plan and it cost him. Yet God was not done with Moses. Or with you? Your failures are not a failure for God’s plan or His plan for us. Listen as we examine Exodus 2:11-22 and consider the grace and spiritual discipline of waiting.