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Sunday, July 6, 2014
Deuteronomy 6:1-28
Moses’ Faith
One of the key figures of the OT is Moses a man whose story has left people wondering about
his relationship with God and with his family. A man who was a strong leader yet questioned God asking
him to do the task assigned and a man who lived and loved his family. What do we know about Moses?
-Son of Jochebed and Amram –a couple who lived in Egypt many years after Joseph and his
generation died;
-But after Joseph’s generations are no longer present—a new pharaoh rules and according to his
edict—the Israelites became too numerous for the Egyptian leaders and so they enslaved the
Israelites—hard labour, oppression
-And Midwives ordered to throw Hebrew boy babies into the Nile
-one such woman is Jochebed who gives birth to an infant son- hid him for 3 months; but could no
longer hide him; -put him in a basket and floated him in the river near where the Pharaoh’s
daughter was bathing; the baby’s sister Miriam spoke with the princess and got Jochebed to be the
nurse for the baby; the princess paid her to nurse the baby and called the baby Moses
-after the child grew up== he went to live as the son of the princess and was raised in the palace –
not sure of his exact age—all we know is that the princess becomes his mother;
While in the palace:
- is away from his family roots, living in luxury in the palace, being taught like the Pharaoh’s children,
integrated into the family- yet knows that he will never be Pharaoh
-watched the Hebrew people in their oppression as slave labourers; he sees an Egyptian beating a
Hebrew man; strikes and kills him- Hebrew slaves then question his authority= he really is caught
between two worlds
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MOSES- caught between two worlds--much like us--Secular world—we see violence, oppression, injustices, and combative natures, poor vs rich, and we
want to reach out and get rid of it –with or without force
But we like Moses- have something else--- Faith
From where did Moses develop his faith? As an infant and child he was in family home where he
witnessed the behaviours of Hebrew people; he saw the traditions of faith- being taught from one
generation as they ate meals together, as they walked along the road, as they listened to the stories
of God and what it meant to follow and live by faith
When he moved to the palace and lived as the princess’ son what did he learn—power, authority,
leadership, strength of oppression,
BUT Moses remained close to his faith—and that of his mother Jochebed; She knew he was a fine
child and put her trust in God to enable this child to live- Jochebed’s faith had fear mixed in yet it
was the action of waiting with expectation that her son would be delivered and saved from the
killing plan of the pharaoh
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MOSES’ choice—he chose to be with his people- outside the palace, poor and searching for an
existence; was it easy or the best choice? Or did this decision come from a sense of direction—
his faith?
BY FAITH—Hebrews 11:23-28—Moses’ parents kept him hidden for 3 months and were not afraid of
the king’s decree to kill male infants;
-by faith- when he had grown up, refused to be known as the Pharaoh’s daughter but chose to be
mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time;\
-by faith- left Egypt- for he was led by the One who is invisible yet was a presence as a cloud and
fiery pillar—a constant guide wherever they travelled;
-By faith- kept the Passover feast- a celebration to remember, the sprinkling of blood so that the
firstborn would not die
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By faith--Moses grew stronger believing that God wanted his chosen people set free and so Moses
stood against the Pharaoh in order to gain the freedom of his people; His faith grew stronger
AND Through the many years that the Hebrew people wandered through the desert in preparation
to crossing the Jordan River,
By faith- Moses was questioned, tried and tested for bringing the people out of slavery only to die in
the desert where there was no food or water, he was tested as tribe argued against tribe over many
different matters, and he was tested when he was talking with God that the people built idols of
other gods
And when he brought God’s commandments his faith was tested again- whether they would actually
hear them or just go their own way.
Secular world- of the pharaoh to the presented of God’s laws- Moses had led the people well—
But what were these commands, decrees ad laws that God directed him to teach, to observe and to
possess. To obey, so that you may enjoy long life?
Love the lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength-“impress them on your hearts, teach them to your children, talk about them sitting at home,
walking along the road, lying down and getting up; tie them as symbols on your hands, on your
foreheads, on doorframes and don’t forget God”
Fear God and serve him only- keep the commands; do what is right and good in the lord’s sight so
that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the Lord promised
on oath to your forefathers
And if you do this—will live a righteous life.
Did Moses live a righteous life? By faith Moses chose wisely and looked at the disgrace and
mistreatment as a temporary burden, with his ultimate reward of greater value than what society
had to offer. He saw that the eventual reward comes from him who is invisible—God.
What about you? Do you have the courage to follow God faithfully? Moses life was spared as an
infant because God had a plan for him; God has a plan for you too—but you must remain faithful to
God.
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Moses knew he was a Hebrew baby, boy man—he belonged to this faith community; as an adult he
put his faith into action and followed the traditions of his people, and as God’s servant he believed
in the invisible God who spoke to him, walked with him, and loved him. Moses knew the God of the
commandments, and He knew God through faith.
Do you have the courage to grow in a faith like Moses?
PRAYER\Holy Spirit move amongst us as a gentle breeze, as a wind, or somewhere in between and
touch our hearts. Call us to have courage. Call us to embrace each other through your Spirit so that
we might live a righteous life. Know our hearts and speak to us—give us courage and help us to trust
the promise you have made with us. Amen.