Matt Mings on On Exodus to the Future
I was reading Exodus 4-6 this morning. Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh for the first time. Probably they were a bit nervous; but also confident. Confident because God had shown Moses three powerful signs that the LORD was with him: a staff that’s a snake that’s a staff; a hand that’s leprous then clean; water that’s blood that’s water. Confident because the people of Israel — the Hiberu — had believed and bowed and worshiped when Moses and Aaron told them of the LORD’s will (Exodus 4.31). The LORD is going to do something great!
But then they deliver the message to Pharoah: “Let my people go …”. Pharoah doesn’t. Instead he makes the people’s work more difficult. Those same people who had believed and worshiped come to Moses and Aaron complaining: “The LORD look upon you and judge you!” The same Moses and Aaron — who were told Pharoah’s heart would be hardened, after all — complain to the LORD: “You have done nothing at all to deliver your people!”
I can relate to Moses and Aaron at this difficult time. Transitioning a local church culture is hard, lonely, and often aggravating work. I’ve seen the signs and had assurance from God that this direction is the LORD’s leading and doing. The people rejoiced at the outset. But the time as of late is one where (some) of the people complain to me: “What’s going on? What are you doing? The LORD look upon you and judge you. We were happier with our bricks and work the way it all used to be. What’s important to us is furniture arrangement not transforming freedom!” (okay that one’s a bit exagerrated).
Yet, I know God wants to deliver us to a new future: where not-yet believers become Christ-followers; where we engage in connecting to our community in Spirit-inspired ways; where our lives are changed, transformed into God’s reality more every day. But I ask God: “What’s going on? What are you going to do? What have you done so far?”
After Moses complains to God, the LORD’s answer is interesting. The LORD outlines what he has done in the past for those who served him: the promises the LORD has kept; the faithfulness of the LORD. Then in the last part of Exodus chapter 6 there is a curious (and long) genealogy that ends with Moses and Aaron. It’s as if the LORD is saying: “Look at all these I’ve worked through. Look what I’ve done in and through and with them. You are part of their line, Moses and Aaron. Don’t you think I can do something even more amazing in and through and with you?”
And the LORD did. Thanks for reminding me of my spiritual heritage, God.
I believe … LORD, help my unbelief.
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Category: Scripture, The Church One comment »
March 8th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I have done a bit grazing on your blog for sometime. I am much more of a blog reader than contributor, but surrender now to the inclination to drop a post.
May God grant you the help you’ve asked for at the close of your entry. May God also grant you actualization of the vision given you, either incrementally or by flood. You stand in contrast to modern culture in your denomination, growth formulas, creature comfort, and whether tenured congregations will let their pastors lead.
May the vision and mission you represent as a ‘called’ one invigorate, not debilitate. I join you in it.