Time Marches On

O.T. #127  "Time Marches On"
Sept. 13, 2013
Exodus 2-Part 6
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.  Exodus 2:23

LET IT GLOW

As we look into the life of Moses, we can see it divided into three forty-year parts:
as prince in Egypt, as a shepherd in Midian, and as leader of Israel.
We left Moses at the well of reflection. It didn't stay quiet very long so he could think, though. It was a well where shepherds came to draw water for their flocks. Moses assisted the women as they tried to water their flocks. This kindness led to his meeting Jethro's daughter Zipporah. I found it interesting that the girls identified Moses as an Egyptian.

Actually, not much is said about the middle 40 years of Moses' life.
He learned how to be a faithful servant as God prepared him for the difficult tasks that lay ahead. Rejected by his nation, he took a Gentile bride, and is thus a picture of Christ who is today getting a bride for Himself from the nations. Moses delivered the women out of the hands of the shepherds and one day God would use him to deliver a nation out of the hands of Pharaoh.

Moses was taking care of a few sheep and would soon be shepherding a whole nation. The shepherd's crook would be exchanged for the rod of power, and he would be used of God to help created a mighty nation. Because he was faithful to do the humble job of shepherding, God used him to accomplish greater tasks as liberator, lawgiver, and leader.
(Reference: Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament)

Here is a man of Egyptian royalty, which no one knew in Midian probably,  that accepted the invitation of Jethro the priest and called Reul, to become a live-in member of his shepherding household. After marrying Zipporah, she gave birth to a son, which Moses named Gershom, meaning a stranger there, for Moses was sojourning in a foreign land. Here Moses lived 40 years in an obscure home in a barren desert.

To what extent are we willing to go with God so He can prepare us for what plans and purposes He has for our life? Are we available to be chosen as the right worker and the right time for it to be accomplished?

LET IT GROW

In the process of time-I like that phrase. Time marches on and stops for no man. Forty years ago, I was still a teenager and a newly married, no children nor grandchildren, no job, and no house, no special calling made known, and no further education. I was plain Jane to the max. It took some years and God's working on my husband and I before we surrendered to His will.

As time went on, the Pharaoh who sought to kill Moses died, then a new king arose to the throne. the children of Israel sighed, cried, and groaned because of their bondage in Egypt.
Guess who heard them. Their God and our God heard them.
He was sympathetic to the plight of His people and His timing is always perfect. God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was an unconditional covenant (Gen. 12:1-3 and in chapters 17, 26, 28). All the land of Canaan has been promised to Israel (Gen 15:18-21). Though they haven't inherited it all yet, God will give it to them after the Great Tribulation during the 1,000 -year reign of Christ (Micah 4:1-8, Jer. 23:1-8, Rev. 20:1-6). (Falwell)

NIV uses the term concern to describe how God felt about His people at that time. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we should be encouraged that He is also concerned for us as His child, right? So why do I worry? Isn't it sinful? Isn't it a lack of faith, trusting my God, who made heaven and earth, with everything? Yes, I'm speaking to me. If it applies to you, I hope you will benefit.

LET IT GO

Set aside my plans and purposes and seek God's for my life.

Trust His timing for everything.

Give Him control of today.

Cry out to God with my problems and prayers.

Be assured that God hears me and is working things out for my good and His glory.