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Origins & Correction

Two pastors I highly respect, each shared sermons on Moses this past Sunday. As they were preaching I noticed a new perspective on origins and correction. 


Moses' name means to pull out or draw out of water. Fitting for a baby that was saved by floating down the Nile to the Pharaoh's daughter.  The watermark on Moses' life did not end there. 


The first plague Moses declared on Egypt was turning the water of the Nile into blood, his most famous miracle was parting the Red Sea, and he provided water in the desert.


Even his sin of striking the rock for water as opposed to talking to the boulder was a defining moment. The last gush effectively pulled Moses out of earth, or drew him up to heaven as the Lord willed. 


The other origin moment was the infamous burning bush. I could not help but notice the symbolism in this great mystery of the Bible. Moses burned for the Lord but was not consumed. Before Jesus tore the veil, to commune with God in such a personal way was deadly but not for Moses.


I do not want to rewrite the Bible but I wonder if the bush was like tumbleweed that had rolled from far away places, and was viewed as a noxious nuisance.


Can you imagine Moses viewing himself as such? God used the burning bush to speak to Moses, and Moses (God's burning bush) spoke to Pharaoh, the Hebrews, and us. Moses' impact is still relevant today, he has never stopped burning. Revelation tells us that we will be singing Moses's song in heaven.


Our origin has more to do with the plans of the Lord over our lives than we realize. In today's Western culture I am not sure we could see past the tragedy of being separated from our family and raised in the palace of the enemy of our people. 


What about correction? Today there is a lot of talk about ignoring your haters, or proving them wrong. Are you really free if you still have something to prove? We don't hear much about constructive criticism or being teachable. 


Acts 7 tells us that Moses already knew he was the deliverer and assumed his people would know too. Seems he also thought the title of deliverer gave him the right to kill.  Exodus 2 records a different response.  The Hebrew's accusation, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" (NIV)


The Hebrew may have not had the best intentions but he had a point. Moses was not conducting himself as the God ordained deliverer, he was acting more like a violent Egyptian ruler.


On some level Moses realized the validity of his accuser; so much so that he was reluctant to enter back into the role of deliverer even when God manifested Himself clearly.


Moses was careful to use godly weapons instead of worldly ones from that day forward. 


What does your origin say about God's plan for your life? Is there any criticism that could be constructive in helping you achieve what God has for you?

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