Questioning The Outcome
“Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”
Exodus 5 : 22-23, 6 : 1 (NIV)
Scripture reading: Exodus chapters 5 & 6Post by: Matt GWhenever I make a large decision, I typically research my options and determine the cost vs. benefit of each choice. I try to imagine the worst-case-scenario result for each choice then rationalize how it could never happen. I ask others for their opinions and Google whatever I can to help me decide. I also recognize the power of prayer and I often pray that God will lead me in my decision making. A few months ago I made a major decision about my career after feeling very strongly that God had lead me to that decision. Today, only a few months later, I am walking through my perceived “worst-case-scenario” result of that decision.
In the chapters leading up to Exodus 5, God has called Moses to be his representative in front of Pharaoh, one of the most powerful rulers in the world. His unenviable job was to ask Pharaoh to allow the Hebrew slaves to stop their work for three days to worship God in the wilderness. Moses comes up with a series of excuses as to why he should not be chosen for the task, but God accommodates him in all of his insecurities. He equips Moses with an eloquent spokesperson and the ability to perform amazing miracles. Moses had to be feeling pretty confident by the time he strolled into Pharaoh’s throne room, knowing that he was following the plan which God had given him directly.
After hearing Moses’s request, Pharaoh not only said “No”, but he increased the workload and suffering of the Hebrews, who in turn blamed Moses. Moses had to be thinking “How could God set me up for such failure? I followed his directions and this is the result?” I love God’s response to Moses because it is such a strong reminder of his sovereignty and providence; “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.” Because Pharaoh initially refused Moses’ request, the Hebrews would eventually leave Egypt, not for three days, but forever, beginning their journey to their Promised Land where they would live for centuries. Not only did this outcome result in a new home for the Hebrews, but this lead to a new phase in God’s plan which culminated in the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus, redeeming mankind of its sin. I’m sure this plan never crossed Moses’ mind as a potential result of the situation.
Not only did Moses question God when he was told the plan, but he also questioned God when the plan did not go as Moses expected it would. Moses was not aware of God’s plan in which he was only playing a minor part. How often do we do this with our own lives? We endeavor to follow God but when a decision, or life in general, results in a completely different result than we expected, we look at the immediate consequence and how it affects us. When we decide to live by faith and follow God, we are yielding to His plans and His purposes. We are acknowledging that we are not the writer of or the main character in the story. He has already written something far greater than we could ever imagine and we need to understand our part and follow His lead.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash