Exodus 3: 16-22

Exodus 3: 16-22

“Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.  And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’ “The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.’ But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go. “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.”

Message:

Here, I am given the idea that God values witnesses and the wisdom of the elders as He instructed Moses to meet with them and bring them along as the shepherd speaks with Pharaoh. His omnipotence is indicated in his statements of assurance to Moses. First is, He knew that Pharaoh would not easily let go of Israelites; thus the use of His might for Pharaoh to see what Moses’ God is capable of doing and to eventually release His people from bondage. The other is His guarantee that the Israelites would not leave Egypt empty-handed because He would make the Egyptians, their oppressors, voluntarily give them what they needed in their journey to the Promised land.

Application:

God’s omnipotence and grace will be my refuge.

Prayer:

Dear God, You are omnipotent and gracious. You alone are Lord whose might can change people’s minds and hearts. Lord thank you for blessing me this understanding which fortifies my faith and motivates me more in doing what pleases You. Father, I pray for Your guidance today as I put forward Your message, share your blessings and provisions. Lord, make the Holy Spirit work in me today that I may accomplish all my tasks, perform my duties and employ Your provisions on me in accord to Your will. Let wisdom, patience and empathy overpower me as I deal with all of my students today. Father, I also pray for all the Filipinos who work in Middle East Lord. Bless and protect them from harm Father. Make their employers and the Philippine embassy understand and act on their need for safety. This is my prayer, in Jesus’ name, amen.