September 27 | Exodus 4:1-17

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DAILY READING

Exodus 4:1-17

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REFLECTION

What If...?

by Beth Voltmann

Our passage today opens with familiar words - “What if”—human words that bubble up from a deep sense of fear, inadequacy, or unbelief. These words are especially familiar to me. Often in my life, when I have sensed God calling me to step out in faith, I have rehearsed these words. What if I embarrass myself? What if others don’t like me? What If I sound stupid? What if my credentials are questioned? What if I fail? Paralysis by analysis can set in and persuade me to quit before I even begin! Can you relate?

Does it surprise you to realize that these very words also came from the lips of Moses? Just prior to our reading, God had revealed Himself in a burning bush and commissioned Moses to lead His people, the Hebrew nation, out of the hand of the Egyptians (the very people Moses had been raised by). We see with great detail one of our Biblical heroes exhibiting a very human response of self-doubt and fear when hearing what the Lord was asking of him.

“Who am I?” (Ex. 3:11)

“What shall I tell them?” (Ex. 3:13)

“What if they do not believe me or listen?” (Ex. 4:1)

This really is such a common, personal response, isn’t it? How amazing it is that God puts up with us! We get so distracted with our own notoriety and abilities when, in fact, ministry should be focused on others.

Though Moses might have believed himself a poor candidate as a deliverer for God’s people, the Great I AM, the Creator, the Master, the Healer, the Savior had no doubt whom He intended for the job. YAHWEH can use anyone or anything to accomplish His plans – including an elderly shepherd in hiding, a family member, a bush, a cloak, or a staff.

God intended to use Moses for His good purposes and He intends to use you and me in the

same way.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit

– fruit that will last .” (John 15:16)

Moses learned to trust the Lord to lead him forward. “Now go; I will help you…” (Ex. 4:12)

Now it’s our turn. Will we go when the Lord sends us without wavering in unbelief? “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thes. 5:24)

PRAYER

Lord, thank you that you are patient with me when I question your voice. You don’t need me and yet you have great plans to use me to share Your gospel with others. May I tune my ear to

Your voice, knowing that I don’t have to be mighty or impressive or eloquent because the God

who sends me is the Great “I AM."

“Here am I. Send me.” (Is. 6:8b)

September 26 | Exodus 3:15-21

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DAILY READING

Exodus 3:15-21

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REFLECTION

Deliverance

by Dan Kidd

In today's passage, we begin amidst a conversation between the Lord and Moses. Moses, barefoot in reverence of this holy space on Mt. Horeb, stood before a bush aflame-but-not-burning, spoke with the God of his forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses was clearly uncertain about what he might say to the Israelites about this incredible encounter, and about what God intended for them.

The Lord instructs Moses to tell the elders of Israel, that he has watched over them, that he'd seen what was done to them by the Egyptians and Pharaoh. What's more, he has promised that he will bring them up out of Egypt and into a land flowing with milk and honey, a land currently occupied by several other nations. What it incredible news it must have been to this enslaved and abused people, that the Lord not only has seen them in their times of darkness and oppression, but he is willing and able to liberate them from it. And what a remarkable assignment the Lord gave to Moses that he could share the God's plan for his people with them.

As we read Exodus in this season, we'll be paying attention to the way God's Gospel is spoken throughout the Exodus story. That proclamation of God's deliverance for the Israelites into the promised land was incredible news for them. It was a revelation of the work and character of God, the Lord who would make them his people, and he would be their God. One of the many consequences of Jesus' Gospel is that Christ delivers the world out of misery. As the Kingdom of Heaven breaks in shackles are loosed. In some cases, this is literal--prisoners and slaves are set free. In other cases, we are set free from the the imprisonment of our sins and our consequent death. Jesus' Gospel is good news about freedom and deliverance into the Kingdom and kingship of the Lord. And what a gift it is to us that we can share these proclamations of good news with others!

PRAYER

King Jesus, we thank you for all of the ways that you have set us free to live as we were created to live--under your care, love, and purposes. We thank you for delivering us from our sin, from death, and from the devil. Remind us again of our freedom in your Spirit, and the goodness of your will and way. Give us eyes, ears, tongues, and opportunities to share your good news with those who long to hear it. Amen.

September 25 | Exodus 3:1-14

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DAILY READING

Exodus 3:1-14

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REFLECTION

The Great I Am

by Pr. Dave Mann

This passage of the burning bush and God’s call on Moses’ life and mission is of the same importance as God’s call of Abram in Genesis 12:1-3. But there is a new element in this passage. It is the revelation of the name of the God who is calling Moses—I am who I am.

All other living beings and entities in the entire world are dependent on something or someone else as the basis of their existence. Diamonds exist because of coal and pressure. Coal exists because of sedimentary deposits composed mostly of carbon. I exist because of the existence of my parents. All of creation exists because of God. There is only one being who is not dependent on anyone or anything else—that is the Lord. God is the only one who exists without the aid of another. He is pure being, in and of himself.

In the normal grammatical use of the words “I am,” there is a complement that follows:

• I am from the U.S.

• I am very hungry.

• I am a doctor.

When there are words that follow “I am,” those words complete the thought and there is no special divine meaning.

However, on numerous occasions, Jesus makes the clear claim to be the same as the Lord who met Moses at the burning bush. He uses those words without a complement, making connection with Exodus 3:14.

John 8:24 — I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am, you will indeed die in your sins.

John 13:19 — I am telling you now before it happens so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.

John 8:58 — Very truly I tell you, Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

John 18:6 — When Jesus said to them, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Mark 14:62 — And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

In some translations, Jesus’ words are provided a complement, “I am he” but the pronoun he is written in italics to indicate that this word, a complement, is not in the original language. The editors have added that word.

Jesus’ intent is plain — to make clear that he is God in human flesh. He is the Word that had the power to create the world out of nothing. He is the verbal claim on the life and mission of Moses. He is the One who has power over death through the cross and resurrection.

PRAYER

O Great I AM, you have all being, in and of yourself. I exist only because of your eternal existence. I am eternally grateful, in Jesus’ name, Amen.