Lesson of Moses

Two weeks ago:  Joseph died.  Gen. 50:26  (1800 BC)

Approximately 300 years later .... Ex. 1:6-14 - once favored nation - now slaves

Enter..... MOSES - born to Levites (1536 BC?)
                            - adopted by Pharaoh's daughter
                            - raised in Pharaoh's court

BUT, Moses was Hebrew (not Egyptian) - Ex. 2:11-12, 15 - about 40 years old at this time.

He flees to Midian (150/200 miles east) - Acts 7:23
These people were distant kin - from Abraham and Keturah - Gen. 25:2

In Midian, he settles down, marries, has family, keeps flocks for Jethro, his father-in-law.
Moses was probably content in an unsettled way.
On one hand, he was a foreigner (secure but out of place)
However, where was home?  his people?

At age 80 - the burning bush - Ex. 3:1-12 - Moses:  "Go",  God:  "I will be with you.", the call, the return, the Exodus.
Then.... Sinai - the 10 Commandments - Kadesh (turning back) - wanderings (40 years - between Egypt to the South and the Promised Land to the North)

At age 120 - Return to the border of the Promised Land
                  - Passing the baton to Joshua
                  - Death - Deut. 34:4-7

A Lesson from the Life of Moses:   God uses Seriously Flawed People
(ie:  sinners) to accomplish His purpose.  Even if we don't perhaps want to be used by God in the fullest sense, deep down we all want to know that our life matters on and on.

Example:  Moses - He was an incredible person.  Deut. 34:10-12
However, he was seriously flawed (sinner)
         - killed an Egyptian, abandoned his people, hid out for 40 years, resisted God's call at least 5 times, entertains doubts - Ex. 5:22-23, is self-centered, impatient, easily discouraged, self-righteous, often angry (which kept him out of the Promised Land)
NOTE:  Moses is not alone.  Compare:  David, Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist.....
This is not just Moses.  It is the human condition.

Question:  Why does God use such people?
Answer:  1) That's all He has!!  There are no other kind!   James 5:17 - Elijah was a man just like us.
(He could do it without us...BUT chooses not to)
               2)  This way HE gets the glory.   However, He doesn't need our praise.  He is perfect, complete, lacking nothing.
"The Exodus" - was this what Moses did?  or God did?
If Moses gets the glory, the people are followers of Moses.
If God gets the glory, the people are followers of God.  John 12:32-33 - we're to connect people to God, draw people to Him.

POINT:  This is good news for common people.  (you and me).  It does not mean that:
           A)  you can be a prophet, miracle worker, great leader, whatever you want to be.  It means you can be an instrument in His tool bag at His discretion - when and if He decides to use you.
          B)  does not mean sin is irrelevant.  James 5:17, 16 (doesn't mean sinless/perfect.  does mean righteous)   Can't take license with your flaws.
          C)  Does mean God CAN use you (will use you)

3 Common elements found in God's prophets, apostles, you & I  (God's instruments)

                 ADMISSION
                 SUBMISSION
                 ACTION

#1.  Admission - of flawed character, inadequacy
"who am I?" - This question not all bad.

#2.  Submission (surrender)
         OF self - (more than your goods, talents, time, future) - but of your being.
         TO God - ie:  to - a) the Person of God  - "Lord"
                                   - b) the known will of God

#3.  Action (obedience) - "go... and I'll go with you"
1 Pet. 4:10 - USE / SERVE / ADMINISTER God's grace.  No prophet was ever a prophet without using his hands. 

NOTE:  Reluctant submission is still submission.
             Imperfect action is still action.           Matt. 21:28-31 (a) - "wanted?" 
God has never had a perfect actor except Christ.

This is where the Christian walk begins  (Admission, submission, action)
This is how the Christian walk continues - Col. 2:6