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5/4 Sermon Open Thread - Exodus 1:1-2:25
By Derrick | May 4, 2008
This is the place for comments and questions related to Sunday’s sermon. The text was Exodus 1:1-2:25. Click here (Exodus 1:1-2:25) if you would like a rough outline of the main two points relating to God and Moses (it does not have the introduction or application, and is a little cryptic but if you heard the sermon you can probably figure it out). The outline covers every section of the text, but it does gloss over the section where Moses helps the Midianite women, and I find this is an interesting section given Moses’ previous failed attempt to help the Israelites and his future role as God’s agent to lead them out of Egypt. However, I’m ultimately unsure what the ultimate point of that episode is, besides moving the story along so we know how Moses got hooked up with a wife in Midian. Any suggestions about that episode are welcome.
6 Responses to “5/4 Sermon Open Thread - Exodus 1:1-2:25”
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May 4th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
At first read of Exodus 1 and 2, Moses’ early life and his “unlikeliness” to be anything was not what hit me….what stood out was the midwives who lied and were blessed which raised all sorts of questions in my mind. (Maybe I’ll address this later.) After sitting through Derrick’s sermon, though, I am blown away at the unlikeliness, undworthiness, and uselessness of Moses himself. This paricular morning I could totally relate to Moses who didn’t exactly have himself pulled together and was not an effective leader on his own. And yet God uses him. That is totally inconceivable to me. More days than not I feel totally useless because I am so sinful and screwed up, sometimes even feeling like I ended up in what should have been someone else’s life. How encouraging it is for me to know that God didn’t put me in the life I live because I am “good enough” but instead its because He is doing something bigger than me. What I want to know is how to live day day in the life he’s given me despite the fact that I’m not good enough.
I welcome comments though it may be hard to comment because this probably wasn’t easy to follow.
Just as a further comment, its so comforting to rest in God’s grace knowing that even if I don’t get it all figured out Christ’s blood is sufficient…He’s holding me and won’t let go.
May 4th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
concerning moses’ helping the midianite women, it’s notable that the egyptians considered shepherds to be unclean. so, moses went from the “heights” of being the adopted son of the pharaoh’s daughter to the “depths” of shepherd life. the generosity of shepherds gave him a home (though he still felt a foreigner). if i were to give it a “point,” i would say that God is breaking moses and preparing him for humble service, unbeknownst to moses.
May 4th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Derrick, I liked your sermon this morning. I’ve heard that story a thousand times but never thought about some things that you said today.
May 4th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I have always thought the midwives were affirmed for not killing the Hebrew children and not necessarily because they lied.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Julie,
You raise an interesting question, and I agree with Jim on that point. I guess more could be said so if you want to pursue it more let us know. And it is encouraging to see how the early setup of the book puts God at center stage as Israel’s rescuer, this will only become more clear as the book goes on. Your comment reminds me that Acts 7:22 says Moses was “mighty in words and deeds”, which actually makes his inability to lead his oppressed people somewhat ironic. Continue in the grace of God!
Andrew,
I’m glad you’re here, regardless of what The Real Andrew says (don’t worry, he’ll get over it). Interesting point. God is turning a “prince” into a shepherd, which is sort of the opposite of what we sometimes try to do.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I agree with Jim and Derrick about the women…at first glance it seems they are rewarded for telling lies but certainly when you compare telling a lie to killing a baby, it comes out a little differently. Given those options I know which one I would choose also.