In the desert near Mount Sinai, a fugitive of Egypt is shepherding the sheep of his father-in-law. He was born an Israelite slave in Egypt. It is a point in history when Pharaoh was thinning the Hebrew population by killing all the newborn male slaves.
Surely the enemy of God, Satan himself, had designed this slaughter because a deliverer was destined to be born. The Adversary would plan a similar genocide 1300 years later to extinguish another deliverer—the Messiah.
This one was saved by his mother crafting a floating cradle, an ark of bulrushes dabbed with pitch. His given name reflected his salvation, one taken from the water, Moses. The princess of Egypt had pulled him from the water and had compassion on him. He was raised in the courts of the one who had designed his destruction. Egypt was the greatest earthly kingdom on the earth. This step-grandson of Pharaoh was given the greatest education possible in the ancient world.
When he became of age, he murdered an Egyptian in defense of another Hebrew. At forty years of age, he fled Egypt as a fugitive.
Taken in by Jethro, he became his son-in-law and shepherd abiding with him for about forty years. Think of it. Forty years as a prince in Egypt schooled in the highest level of learning. Now living and learning as a nomad shepherd in the ways of the desert.
He probably began this day as any other day on the back side of the desert. No preconceived notions about his future. Settled into the daily tasks of a shepherd where he assumed his life would be lived out.
Then a bush is burning but not consumed. It is the glory of God. He turns to take a closer look. Then a voice that calls his name with double utterance for emphasis, “Moses, Moses!”
He understands little but knows this double calling of his name is a call to listen intently. He takes the moment very seriously. He answers simply and correctly, “Here I am.” When God calls, the only answer is “Here I am.”
Then the voice of God from the bush gives further notice, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5 NKJV).
Moses complies and unties his sandals. He is barefoot before a Holy God. Moses is told to return to the country he fled as a murderer. It is the same country that tried to kill him as a baby. He is given the task of delivering his enslaved people from the most powerful country in the civilized world. The rest of the story is chronicled in Exodus and in the history of the world.
What are some of the points to this biblical narrative?
• Do something until you can do SOMETHING!
• The things we may see as a detour may be the path of God.
• When we catch a glimpse of the glory of God out of the corner of our eye, we need to turn toward the light.
• When we turn toward God, then God speaks.
• Before we can come closer to God, we need take off our sandals. Where we have been is not where He is. He is holy, we are sinners.
• God shods our bare feet with a new calling.
• The callings of God are beyond our strength. If we can make it happen, then it is not a Heavenly challenge.
• God’s timing is not conducive to our convenience.
• God calls us out of our Egypt. Imparts His power into us. Then sends us back to Egypt.
• God is more interested in our obedience than our ability.
• When God sends us, we go whether we return or not.
Be faithful with the things Jesus has placed in your hands for now. Jesus may have a higher calling for you in the future, be faithful where you are today. It is Jesus who calls. It is Jesus who empowers. It is our responsibility to be faithful and obedient. The outcomes are in the hands of Jesus.
Yours on the Journey,
Harry L. Whitt
Pathway Journey 