Thursday, June 30, 2011
Read: Exodus 5
The flesh and the world constantly resist change. God operates in opposition to the ways of the world… you can’t expect people who do not know the Lord to be supportive when you step out in faith. So why are we always so surprised when there’s opposition? When God tells you to do something don’t be surprised by opposition.
Let’s backtrack a bit. Re-read Exodus 4:21-23, 29-31. There are two huge events in this passage: 1. God tells Moses ahead of time Pharaoh will not listen to him, “But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go” (v.21). 2. Moses and Aaron brought together “the elders of the Israelites” and shared with them “everything that the Lord had said to Moses… and they believed… bowed down and worshiped” (v.29-31).
So Moses set out to deliver the word of the Lord, knowing full well that Pharaoh would not yet let his people go, knowing in advance Pharaoh’s rebellion would mean the loss of his eldest son. He also knew that God was with him and had equipped him to carry out a vision to free his people, the Israelites. God does not send us out into the battle unarmed; He equips us for His work.
Moses didn’t go out alone. He and Aaron met ahead of time with the elders before taking on Pharaoh. (Generally a good idea if you’re intending to free someone, that you know that they want to be free in the first place!! It’s also a good idea to have some spiritual backing from someone with authority, especially when challenging whole governments and kingdoms!).
In the case of the Israelites’ response, they were caught up with the present situation, rather than resting in the truth already revealed to them. Too often we get stuck complaining about where we are, rather than holding onto the promises God has already given us. And if the complaining isn’t coming from our selves, persecution is inevitable. Being persecuted doesn’t necessarily mean that you are out of God’s will, in fact, Jesus told us to expect persecution. “If the world hates you remember that it hated Me first” (John 15:18).
To protect and encourage us, God has also given us the opportunity to talk to Him openly. “Call to me and I will answer you and teach you unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). When everything seemed to be going the wrong way, what did Moses do? Moses sought the Lord.
Process:
What opposition is contending against a Jesus Revolution in your community?
Discuss with your group some ways you could confront it.
How far out of the box is God calling you? Remember it was out of the box for moses to confront pharaoh. In what ways do you feel you might relate to moses?
Are there situations you can’t seem to get over? Take some time with Jesus, and ask for His perspective on things, you may start to see things a little differently.