God trained and prepared Moses, to lead his people out from slavery to Egypt, in a unique manner, in the palace of the one against whom he was to later stand. Pharaoh’s command to throw all Jewish boys, at birth, into river Nile, was violated by his own household. Despite all the miraculous deeds that he performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, for one mistake he was barred from leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. How can one guard against falling into a state of doubting or not hearing properly the Word of God, causing disobedience?
Why was Moses punished so severely for his one mistake? Moses was raised, trained and equipped for a great role in his life to lead his people from slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land. This slavery was decreed by God to Abraham, the father of the Hebrews. God promised Abraham to be ‘a great nation’, a group of people who will be great in their individuality. But with that He further told him about their bondage, ‘know certainly that your descendents will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them 400 years’ (Genesis 15:13-16). He assured them when they return, ‘they shall come out with great possessions’. And then God even revealed the time of their return, ‘in the fourth generation they shall return here’ to Canaan. This was fulfilled exactly, for the Israelites ‘asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing’ and since the LORD God had already touched the hearts of the Egyptians, ‘that they granted them (the Israelites) what they requested’ (Exodus 12:35-36).
The going to Egypt of the Israelites, their bondage, ill-treatment and return with abundance was already foretold by God. God who cares for His people so much had already planned the way of their going in and coming back. Joseph was sent by his father Jacob to ‘see if it was well with your brothers (much older in age to him) and well with the flocks, and bring back word to me’ (Genesis 37:14; 28 & 36). Out of sheer jealousy, the brothers ‘sold him (Joseph) to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt’. In Egypt he was bought by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard’. Joseph maintained his Jewish identity, though the shepherds were held in low esteem by the Egyptians (Genesis 39:2 & 14). For his faith, ‘the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man’. Potiphar’s wife failed in her efforts to seduce Joseph and then made a false allegation against him, saying to others in the house, ‘see he (Potiphar) has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us’. His Jewish identity was displayed by him before all others.
He was put in prison for no fault of his, yet he remained loyal to the teachings of his father Jacob, to follow the LORD God. In prison the keeper of the prison also trusted him completely. Joseph rightly interpreted the dreams of the butler and the baker of Pharaoh, when they were put in prison. Later Pharaoh had two dreams and no one could tell him the meaning of these. While seeking the help of the butler to get out of prison he told him, ‘indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews’, thereby declaring his faith in the promise of God to Abraham to give them the land of Canaan (Genesis 40:14). The Chief butler told Pharaoh about their dreams in prison to say, ‘there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him and he interpreted our dreams for us’ (Genesis 41:12; 38 -40).
Nothing is a coincidence in any one’s life and everything moves as per the plan of God, like the various parts of a machine working together. After proper interpretation of his dreams by Joseph, he was accepted by Pharaoh ‘as a man in whom is the Spirit of God’. Pharaoh made Joseph the number two man in whole of Egypt and said, ‘you shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you’. When Joseph was about to die, he took an oath from the children of Israel who had come into Egypt due to the famine, ‘you shall carry up my bones from here’ (Genesis 50:25). All throughout his life Joseph maintained his identity as a Jew and even in death refused to be buried in Egypt.
Moses was born a Jew but raised up in the Pharaoh’s house with an Egyptian identity. ‘ Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God’ (Hebrews 11:24-25). Despite this he was punished for striking the rock twice to draw water for his people and not permitted to enter Canaan, the Promised Land. He had deep love for his people and had to flee Egypt for killing an Egyptian to help a Jew (Exodus 2:12; 19). In Midian he helped the daughters of Jethro the priest on the well, when they came with their sheep for water. On being asked by their father about their early return, they answered, ‘An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds’. Moses behavior and life still revealed his identity as an Egyptian and probably that continued all his life, leading him to live two lives. The people complained about lack of Water and the LORD commanded Moses to take the rod and go with Aaron in front of the whole assembly. Then he was to ‘speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water’ (Numbers 20:5-12).
Moses went as commanded and spoke to the people, ‘must we bring water for you out of this rock? Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice’. They were both told by the LORD God, ‘because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them’
Various reasons are given for the Lord’s anger at Moses and Aaron. First, the rock represented the Son of God who is to be crucified only once, Moses was punished by God for striking twice. Second, Joseph maintained his identity as a Hebrew even after his death while Moses could not leave his Egyptian identity totally. Third, the old generation of Israel that died in the wilderness, roaming, had a slave mentality and could be rebuked. However, the new generation had experienced the love of God and had to be handled in love and not rebuke. Probably God considered Moses’ attitude to be less suited to lead the people as compared to Joshua.
Apostle Paul cautioned the people about the way he taught them to help grow in faith with simple words ‘fed you with milk and not with solid food’ (1 Corinthians 3:2). But one must grow in faith and start learning deeper things and exercising faith in prayer and supplication. Do not be dependent on others only, for spiritual support, for every believer is a child of God and God shows no partiality. Apostle Peter saw the Holy Spirit being poured on Cornelius, a Gentile in Caesarea, and he declared, ‘God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness, is accepted by Him’ (Acts 10:34-35). Live in faith as His chosen one and be strong in the Lord to continue to grow in every sphere of life.
How to moderate our living to remain in God’s plan for us? Moses was chosen by God to be a face of Lord Jesus for the Israelites and spoke to him ‘face to face’. He was to be a leader, a prophet and even to represent people before God as their priest. In the Scripture there are only two apparent instances where the one to be anointed was not willing. Saul was to be anointed by Prophet Samuel as the first king, but when he was not seen, the LORD told the people, ‘There he is hidden among the equipment’ (1 Samuel 10:22). Moses was the only one with whom God reasoned it out to convince him that he was the right person to lead Israel from the slavery of Egypt. He was trained in the ways of the palace and could face the Pharaoh as God’s representative. When he still refused to go, ‘the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses’ (Exodus 4:14). Aaron, his brother, was chosen to be his spokesperson to speak to Pharaoh, all that God commanded Moses. The tribe of Levi was chosen by God to be a priestly tribe and Aaron and his descendents received the role of High Priest while Moses’ descendents missed out on the blessing. Aaron and the others were always told to prepare themselves to go before God while Moses was called and he went before God for he was always found ready by God.
Elihu, had heard all that Job’s three friends had spoken and Job’s answers (Job 33:14; 29). He called out to them, saying, ‘God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it’ (Job 33:14; 29). God gives a chance to all to fulfill what He has decreed for their lives. He further said, ‘Behold, God works all these things, twice, in fact, three times with a man’. God in His mercy is ever willing to help every child of His to reach the highest level in his life. Due to our ignorance, reluctance to move forward or foolishness, we may miss out, yet He continues to give us a chance.
Joshua, the leader appointed by the LORD God to lead the Israelites to capture the Promised Land suffered a defeat at Ai. This was immediately after the great victory over Jericho, the most fortified place across Jordan River. He cried out to the LORD, saying, ‘the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us and cut off our name from the earth’ (Joshua 7:9). God encouraged him and revealed the sin of Achan, who brought some accursed things into the camp, the things that were to be destroyed in Jericho by fire. Once the sin was dealt with, Joshua and his people were victorious. We tend to focus on success but get greatly discouraged even by a small setback.
God is All-knowing and Almighty, in control of everything, yet He tells His children, ‘See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me’ (Isaiah 49:16). People make names or photos of those they love dearly as tattoos. God has the photo of each of His children always before Him on both palms and not only on one. He keeps a watch over us like a Good Shepherd to protect and provide us with the best things. He watches over us to reach out and help when needed and protect us from our enemies who may try and inflict any damage to us. The disciples deserted Lord Jesus at the Gethsemane Park and only Apostle John remained with Him. Our Lord had warned Apostle Peter and others beforehand about Satan’s attack on them (Luke 22:31-32). He assured him, ‘But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail’. The Risen Lord blessed Apostle Peter with special responsibility to care for and feed His sheep for he was the one who was always ready to test his faith in the most difficult situations and he walked on water. Faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit but it is like a body muscle and needs regular exercise to remain strong.
Moses had performed great miraculous works in Egypt and at the Red Sea with the Egyptians at the back, the Israelites panicked. Moses cried to the LORD, to receive an answer from God, ‘Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward’ (Exodus 14:15-16). He was then reminded of the authority given to him by God. God commanded him, ‘lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it’.
We must remember three basic things about faith. First, rely only on the ability of the Lord, for He is God of the impossible situations. He has power over disease, demons and death and He is always willing to support your faith. Second, faith must submit to the sovereign authority of God for He will allow storms also. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed- Nego willingly accepted being thrown into the furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:17-18). They submitted to God’s power to save but if He does not, His will and plan must prevail. Third, faith is deliberate and not automatic. Unless we focus on the One we believe in, it will not work and is like speaking to the storm to silence it without any authority. Apostle James calls a faith that is not exercised to produce results as dead (James 2:17). Moses had to use the rod to part the sea, for prayer of faith with action will be answered by God.
Why do believers fall prey to circumstances? Lord Jesus commanded the disciples, ‘Let us go to the other side’ and they got into the boat (Mark 4:35- 40). A great storm arose while the Lord was asleep in the stern of the boat. When the desperate disciples, who were trained fishermen, woke Him, He rebuked the storm and ‘there was a great calm’. But He questioned them, ‘How is it that you have no faith?’ Faith that is not exercised will bring in doubts.
Prophet Ezekiel was given a revelation of the Temple in New Jerusalem and about the river flowing from the threshold of the Temple (Ezekiel 47:1-11). The angel measured the width four times (a thousand cubits each time) making it more than a mile till the centre of the river. The river depth increased from ankle deep, up to the knees, to the waist level and finally immeasurable depth. The faith that God gives is bottomless and it depends on us as to what depth we want to live in. When we reach the middle of the river and let go of our own selves and surrender to Him, He keeps and blesses us fully or we can sit outside with our feet only inside.
Saul, the Pharisee, who later became Apostle Paul was a great scholar of the Scripture. When confronted by Lord Jesus on the way to Damascus to persecute the believers there, he cried out, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ (Acts 9:6-16). He was commanded to go into the city in that blinded state and that he will be told about his mission. Ananias was sent by the Lord to go and anoint him and his role as told was, ‘I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake’. Apostle Paul lived all his life by faith and faced the most difficult circumstances while reaching out to people with the Gospel message. Exercising faith is not only in receiving all the answers but to continue forward that the Lord is fully in control and He will step in at the right time. Moses was not permitted to lead his people into Canaan but he was brought by the LORD God to the Mount of Transfiguration of His Son and witnessed His glory revealed.
Moses is supposed to be one of the two witnesses during the great tribulation time (Revelation 11:3; 11-12). They will be killed and after ‘three-and-a-half days breath of life entered them and they stood on their feet’. They will then be called up to heaven by ‘a voice from heaven’. God calls out to launch your boat into the deep waters and the obedient are then led by Him into safety of His mighty presence. King David faced extremely tough situations in his life and in faith sought God, ‘teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name’ (Psalm 86:11). Steps taken by His children in faith in His love, power and might are always strengthened by Him. He is holding your hand, never to leave, realize the truth and cling to Him!
The one who is right in faith, his character becomes a reflection of that same faith. Faith is then, their permanent covering of life and not like sometimes yes and other times no. Apostle Paul was aware of his arrest and sufferings in Jerusalem but moved on in faith to fulfill his task of witnessing to others. While living in such deep faith in the LORD God, even trials and troubles seem momentary and turn into joy in Him!
