Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Prayer Meeting Lesson Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/pm/pm20060208.htm

EXODUS: FUNCTIONING WELL IN A HOPELESS GROUP ASSIGNMENT
Part I: God's Deliverance Of Israel Amid Humanly Helpless Trials
G. God's Guiding His Leader To Heed Himself Over Human Opinion
(Exodus 4:27-7:7)
  1. Introduction
    1. A great temptation exists for God's human leaders to "cave in" to the pressure of the desires of others around them to uphold the views and opinions that others want them to uphold, cf. John 12:42-43.
    2. Yet, God blesses only when leaders heed His will over man's will, a lesson revealed in Exodus 4:27-7:7:
  2. God's Guiding His Leader To Heed Himself Over Human Opinion, Exodus 4:27-7:7.
    1. In Exodus 4:27-31, Moses as the leader God had assigned to direct Israel out of Egyptian bondage initially enjoyed wide acceptance and approval from others around him:
      1. God arranged for Moses initially to be warmly met and supported by his brother, Aaron, Ex. 4:14b, 27:
        1. The Lord told Moses that his brother, Aaron would come to see him and be glad to meet him, 4:14b.
        2. Indeed, God Himself even directed Aaron to go forth to meet Moses, further motivating Aaron to be willing to greet and be supportive of him, Exodus 4:27a.
        3. Thus, Aaron went out to meet Moses and warmly culturally greeted him, Exodus 4:27b.
      2. When Moses shared with Aaron God's words and miraculous signs of his mission, Aaron joined Moses in returning to gather Israel's elders together to announce Moses' mission unto them, Exodus 4:28-29.
      3. As soon as Moses and Aaron spoke the Lord's words unto these elders, and performed the miraculous signs unto them, they believed and actually bowed their heads in worship to the Lord, Exodus 4:30-31!
    2. However, after doing God's will to minister before a belligerent and powerful Pharaoh, Moses faced strong opposition from Israel, and himself even complained faithlessly to God as a result, Exodus 5:1-23:
      1. Armed with Aaron's support and the support of Israel's elders, Moses initially went with Aaron to ask Pharaoh to let Israel go with them into the wilderness to worship the Lord, Exodus 5:1.
      2. However, Pharaoh declined to give Moses permission, and even made the work of the people of Israel much more difficult, Exodus 5:2-14.
      3. The officers of the people of Israel complained to Pharaoh about this harsh treatment, and Pharaoh only reacted with stern refusal to lighten their toil, Exodus 5:15-19.
      4. Consequently, Israel's officers complained to Moses and Aaron, charging them with sin before the Lord for making Israel abhorrent to Pharaoh to their own added suffering, Exodus 5:20-21.
      5. Faltering in his faith due to this negative feedback, Moses went to God, voicing his dismay: (a) he recalled a former complaint, wondering why God had chosen him for the job (Ex. 5:22; 4:13) and noted God had not delivered Israel as promised, but that the bondage was even worse, 5:23 with 3:8!
    3. God responded by graciously "coaching" Moses back to performing his calling regardless of the opinion or responses of others with whom he had to deal, be it the people or Pharaoh, Exodus 6:1-7:7:
      1. In grace, God reminded Moses He would make Pharaoh release Israel under duress, Ex. 6:1 with 3:19f.
      2. Then, God reminded Moses of His greatness as the "I AM" (NIV ftn. at Ex. 6:2 and 3:15) and of his calling to bring Israel from Egypt to Canaan, Ex. 6:2-5. Moses was to repeat this word to Israel, 6:6-8.
      3. When Moses repeated this message to the people of Israel, they did not accept it due to their toil, 6:9; this event was designed to teach Moses to obey God regardless of a lack of support from the people!
      4. God then had Moses return to Pharaoh where the trouble had begun to repeat his call that he release Israel, Ex. 6:10-11. Moses replied that if Israel would not hear him, how much less would Pharaoh since Egypt's ruler was so opposed to Moses' initial request, Exodus 6:12, 28-30.
      5. God replied that He was with Moses, and that He planned to intensify the situation by having Pharaoh become hard in his resistance so God could lead Israel out of Egypt by tremendous force, Ex. 7:1-7!
Lesson: Due to the unique program of God for his ministry at the time, God taught Moses to heed Him in his leadership whether other humans were supportive or countered his calling and assignment!

Application: May we who are assigned by God to lead in our marriages, homes, churches, governments or businesses do GOD'S will REGARDLESS of the degree of HUMAN SUPPORT or OPPOSITION, for we do NOT serve in a DEMOCRACY to please PEOPLE, but in a THEOCRACY to please GOD!