Daily Devotions
Exodus
"I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons." Psalm 16:7
ACTING UPON THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD
The Lord had given good counsel to Moses. He had hoped that the children of Israel would be as encouraged as he was when he received the word of the Lord. But they had remained skeptical and had been unable to find strength to believe the promises of the Lord, no matter how glowing and wonderful they were.
Moses chose to learn what would become a distinctive hallmark in his life from there onwards. He would act upon the counsel of the Lord in humble and resolute obedience.
“Then Moses and Aaron did so;
just as the LORD commanded them, so they did.”
EXODUS 7:6
NEVER TOO OLD TO SERVE THE LORD
The first forty years of Moses’ life was spent in the court of Pharaoh. He had a solid Egyptian education. His career ended when he took sides with a fellow Hebrew and he slew an Egyptian task-master (Cf. Exodus 1-2). The next four decades were spent in Midian. Moses had a family by this time.
When most would have enjoyed their retirement, Moses began his ministry!
“And Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three
years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.”
EXODUS 7:7
Perhaps the forty years spent in the outdoors shepherding Jethro’s flocks stood him in good stead. And coupled with the Lord’s special blessing, Moses now stood before Pharaoh with strong and steady courage.
“JUST AS THE LORD COMMANDED”
Moses was learning deep lessons about waiting upon the Lord. He listened most carefully as the Lord unfolded to him His plan of action. It would not do to brashly stand before Pharaoh without having received special instructions from the Lord.
“Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
‘When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle
for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron,
‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it
become a serpent.’
So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so,
Just as the LORD commanded.
And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and
before his servants, and it became a serpent.”
EXODUS 7:8-10
The first encounter with Pharaoh had been merely to exchange words. This encounter was going to be quite different! Divine power would be displayed. Moses’ rod became a serpent! Moses and Aaron were most careful to obey the Lord’s word!