Walking With Moses - Talking With God

INTRODUCTION

The writing of this Bible study has been a mind and heart opening journey. Where I thought I was going is not even remotely close to where I ended, and the path has been serpentine at best. Funny how that happens, isn’t it?

Shortly after resigning my fourteen year staff position at the church where my husband and I were, and still are members, I decided it would be helpful for me, and possibly others, to chronicle the discernment process that led me to that decision.

Although I had not seen handwriting mysteriously appear on the walls of my home or heard ethereal voices in the night, I knew God was leading me into a new area of purposefulness and some major life changes. A novel I had recently read about Zipporah, the wife of Moses, caught my interest and compelled me on a four month study through the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. I found countless lessons and parallels, which impacted me deeply and helped me better understand the path I had traveled to get to that particular place of transition in my life. I was amazed to discover a middle-aged, twenty-first century woman could have anything in common with a man who lived approximately 3400 years ago. My initial intrigue with Moses and four month study ultimately guided me through a career change, but it also extended to a two year in-depth writing adventure culminating in this study.

There has never been any argument Moses was one interesting fellow. As a man, he felt the joys of fatherhood, sorrow at the death of loved ones, and macho pride after rescuing damsels in distress. Yet, there is much more to set him apart in history: born a Hebrew yet raised an Egyptian; born in secret and hidden by a loving mother; died in secret and buried by a loving Father. He is mentioned in no less than thirty-one books of the Bible. In Judaism, he is remembered as the greatest prophet, leader and teacher the world has ever known; yet based on natural ability and personal confidence, he was certainly an unlikely leader.

Although I have no delusions of being remembered as the greatest at anything, the writing of this study has been akin to Leadership 101 as I have taken the days and events of Moses' life and juxtaposed my own circumstances along side his. Situations lived by Moses lend clarity to the path I walked; times of questioning, strange encounters, significant markers, evidence of provision and protection. I discovered it was more than the fourteen years I spent in one particular area of ministry that brought me to my own exodus, wilderness place, and mountaintop experience; it was a lifelong adventure of epic proportions.

Walking With Moses—Talking With God is written in a format that will encourage you to read not only the text and focus Scripture for each day, but to dig deeper for additional text which might bring broader understanding to each lesson. I hope you will take advantage of each question and inquiry throughout, allowing the interactive nature of the study to enhance your learning experience.

Just as the Israelites wove their way through the wilderness, we will follow a winding path as we make our way through the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Volumes have, and will continue, to be written about the events in these four books, but we will stay focused on Moses and his leadership role in each scenario. Be prepared for a thematic/topical approach as opposed to one chronological in nature.

Whether you are flying solo or enjoying this study with a group, the style for each day and week will be the same. The introduction page of each week’s study will outline the theme, daily topics, and a challenge for your heart and mind.

Unless otherwise noted, all Biblical passages are taken from the New King James Version. Consequently, access to this particular translation will be extremely helpful, although not essential, as you complete each day’s written work. In addition to various translations of the Scripture, countless resources were used in the preparation of this study and are acknowledged within the text or in footnote form at the end of each day’s study, and are included in the bibliography.

Week 1

PRAYING THE HARD QUESTIONS

Moses was a man of many questions, as we will see in our first week of study. We will jump right into our journey with Moses as he encounters God for the first time in an audible and visual way and gets his marching orders for the next forty years. I warned you in the introduction to our study we will not always move through the Scripture in chronological order, so be prepared for a bit of backtracking next week. But for now, let’s look at the questions that defined Moses’ commission, which will ultimately define ours as well.

This week, as you walk with Moses and talk with God, rest secure knowing God will call you, equip you and answer all your questions.

Day 1

Who Am I?

Text: Exodus 1-3:1, 3:7-12

Focus: But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? Exodus 3:11

My father is one of the most humble people I have ever known. He will step back to allow another to step forward, and quietly hold his opinion as others verbosely share theirs. Because of his meek demeanor, I have seen him be taken advantage of by those interested in their own personal gain. Do not misunderstand; he is not a weak man—quite the contrary. He is strong in his beliefs and unflappable in his faith. He simply does not force his ideas or intentions on anyone else. Quietly, he goes about his days, never seeking the regard of others.

For several years, Daddy was a Sunday School teacher for young married couples, and though he invested many hours in study, he never felt adequately prepared or qualified to teach. Occasionally, members of that class from long ago will remind him of a lesson learned under his tutelage or a truth he helped them embrace. He became a quiet mentor to the young men who worked as farmhands, treating each with fairness and compassion. As a respected member of the farming community, he was often called upon to bring his expertise and insight to a rural planning meeting or to give advice to a young farmer just starting out. In his typical selfless manner, he quietly and succinctly shared his time-tested knowledge, quickly adding that he was no expert. I am certain many of those he has advised through the years would beg to differ and agree that he is an expert on many things: expertise gained by hard work, trial and error, a keen awareness of the workings of nature, and a sharp and inquiry mind.

That was how I was raised, never to seek the limelight or draw undue attention to myself. I became the quintessential behind-the-scenes worker, not comfortable speaking in public or being acknowledged as a leader. I would gladly volunteer to cook for the church dinner; play the piano for the ensemble; run the sound board for the guest speaker; and type up the session notes afterwards; but I would never agree to be on the front line.

What about you? Are you an up-front person or do you prefer working behind the scenes allowing others to gain the applause? There is no wrong or right, better or best answer.

In 1996, a new ministry was budding within the congregation of my church. I was already on staff and it was a relatively simple transition for me to be involved in the startup of the program—the proverbial at the right place at the right (or wrong, depending on your perspective) time scenario. I can think of countless circumstances that could have led to a much different outcome, but God was orchestrating, a point person was needed, and I soon found myself in the coordinator’s role.

Have you found yourself in a leadership position that you did not seek or envision for yourself? If yes, briefly explain.

Has the position shown you strengths, talents, and abilities you did not know you possessed?

In Exodus 3:1 Moses was learning a new profession—tending the sheep of his father-in-law, Jethro. Each day it was his responsibility to find fresh water and green grass for the herd, protect them from predators, and lead them back to the compound before nightfall. On this particular day, Moses moved beyond the familiar grazing lands of Midian and found himself at the foot of the mountain of God. I wonder if he ended at this spot simply by accident, as his mind was preoccupied with other things and veered off the regular path; maybe he had seen this particular mountain from afar and his curiosity finally got the best of him; or perhaps he simply was trying to find new pasture land for his wooly charges. Regardless of how it came to be, this day would be the start of an entirely new direction for Moses.

Have you had such an encounter? One day going about your daily routine, then suddenly confronted with a new plan or direction for your life? If so, explain where and how this came about.

Moses did not see himself as a leader. As he looked back over his life prior to the encounter at the burning bush, he saw a history of contradiction, confusion and uncertainty. As God laid out the plan for the Israelites, and the leadership role Moses would play, we should not be surprised to hear him ask, Who am I?

Glance back through Exodus 1 & 2. List the circumstances that might have caused Moses to think he was unqualified to lead the Israelites.

Do you think Moses had a sense of his destiny even as a child? If so, explain why.

Moses was a slave by birth, the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, a murderer, a runaway and traitor to his adopted family, an alien in a foreign land, and a shepherd in his father-in-law’s household. Consider for a moment how each of these situations might have prepared Moses for God’s plan for the Israelites. He was a humble and unqualified man in his own eyes, yet a leader in the eyes of God (Numbers 12:3).

Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.

Numbers 12:3

Proverbs 3:34: Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the______________.

Proverbs 16:19: Better to be of a__________________spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Does God see you differently than you see yourself? If so, briefly explain:

Moses received a divine assurance from God that all would be well. Fill in the blanks from Exodus 3:11-12: But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? So He said, __________ _______ __________ _________ ___________ _____________. And this shall be a sign to you that ___________ ________ ________ ____________: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you ____________ ________ ___________ ____________ __________ _________.

We will see later in our study how Moses does indeed return to this same place after he has successfully freed the Israelites. This first encounter simply sets the stage for each and every encounter yet to come on the mountain of God.

Have you returned to the place where you first felt God’s call on your life? If so, give a brief description.

Do you consider that place holy ground? If yes, give a brief explanation why.

Walking With Moses

God can and will take the circumstances of your past and use them to prepare you for His ultimate design for your life. Feelings of inadequacy have no place before a totally adequate God. You may ask Who am I? and rest assured God will answer you decisively.

Talking With God

God, thank You for calling me into Your service. Help me to see all the ways You have prepared me.

Day 2

Who are You?

Text: Exodus 3:13-22

Focus: Then Moses said to God, Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them? Exodus 3:13

Names … we all have one or two and sometimes even three picked out for us at birth. Surnames come without choice, passed down through generations. Brides generally take their new husband’s last name, although occasionally these days, it is the other way around; and sometimes, the new couple will keep both names and just throw in a hyphen. In addition to the legal names, there are pet names, nicknames (some flattering/some not) and variations of given names. Attached to those names are titles, distinctions made by occupation or association, and of course, plain, old adjectives.

Allow me to use myself as an example. My given name is Cinda, although my family calls me Cindy. My niece and nephews call me Cissy. My nickname when I was little was Skeezicks. When I went to first grade, there were two other six year olds named Cindy, so one got to keep Cindy, one became Cynthia, and I went back to Cinda. In high school, I went back to Cindy. When I started to drive, my nickname became A.J. (in honor of race car driver, A.J. Foyt), and in college, I decided Cinda sounded more grown-up. Through all those changes, my family resolutely called me Cindy.

When I married, I assumed my husband’s last name. As my children came along, their names for me evolved from Momma, to Mom, to Mother, to you are without a doubt the most annoying person in my life (that’s a story for another day). To the children at church, I am Ms. Cinda; to friends of my children, I am Mrs. King; and frequently, I am introduced as Greg’s