When Nothing Goes Right

Living By Faith

Moses was called, commissioned, and sent forth by God to free Israel from bondage in Egypt. In spite of that, God met him by the way in the inn and sought to kill him (Exodus 4:24-26). That is not a very good start. Worse yet, the problems continue to mount in chapters 4-6.

Did you ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go right? We may map out our plans and fill our schedule with good intentions for God. Nevertheless, everything goes haywire. Doesn’t God know that our plans are being thwarted? Yes, He does! (Proverbs 16:9)

We have been so influenced by the “health, wealth, and prosperity” gospel that we have come to expect all will be pleasant if we live for Jesus. We expect everything to go well—meaning that it will meet our expectations. That sounds nice, but God does not operate that way. We are not the sovereign. He is. We have a difficult time comprehending God’s plan (Isaiah 55:7-8)

If we do not get a handle on this, we will be very frustrated in life. We see this clearly in Moses. He got off to a bad start and things go downhill from there. He next goes from negative thinking (“I can’t do this.") to positive ("I really can do this.") That will set him up for a big let-down, because he will be positive for the wrong reasons. So let’s trace the journey and see what happened.

Scripture: Exodus 4:29-31

And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: 30 And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Moses arrived in Egypt with Aaron and immediately met with the elders of Israel. He took the rod of authority and performed the three signs given to him at the burning bush (Exodus 4:3,6,9). Verse 31 concludes with, “And the people believed….” So far, so good. That brings us to the first of two problems.

Two Problems:

I.) Pharoah Rejected the Message:

Moses started to feel pretty confident. At first, he did not think he could do the job. But then the signs worked and the people believed. It was so easy that Moses became over-confident.

Scripture: Exodus 5:1-2

And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. 2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Moses bravely stated God’s demand to Pharoah. He responded, “Who is God? I do not know Him. Moses was completely taken aback. He did not expect this response, because he did not listen carefully to God.

Scripture: Exodus 3:19-20

And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. 20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

Moses was told, but did not pay attention. Too often we do the same. Christ said, “ If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:19). We are told that the world will hate us, but we want the world to love us. So we compromise our stand on faith and adopt worldly ways and means to please men. In the process, we water down the message of Christianity to a weak and powerless 'churchianity'. We act just like Moses.

Scripture: Exodus 5:3

And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

Observe the personal pronoun “us”. It is only two letters, but has ten miles of importance. The text says, “Lest he fall upon us,” not, “you.” This was not the message. God was not going to fall upon Israel. In fact, He was going to stretch out His hand and smite Egypt with all His wonders (Exodus 3:20).

Moses did not get what he expected. So he watered down the message and gave this weak-kneed explanation to this powerful potentate who could care less whether God fell upon his slaves.

We who know Christ as Savior carry the treasure of the gospel in our earthly bodies. If we water down the message by adopting the lifestyle, method and means of the world, we will go away defeated in our efforts to win the lost. They will see only themselves and we will lose the power of the message.

Moses watered down the message, lost the power of God, and went away defeated. Pharaoh was not impressed and merely said, “Get back to work, slaves (vs.4).” He then introduced the second problem.

II.) The Burden Was Increased:

Scripture: Exodus 5:6-8

And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, 7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

Israel was already serving at hard labor, but Pharoah increased the burden. They would no longer be supplied with straw for making bricks. They would have to forage for their own and their quotas would not be diminished. When they could not meet them, the officers of Israel were beaten.

Scripture: Exodus 5:14

And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?

They complained to Pharoah but his response was, “Ye are idle. That’s why you talk of sacrifice.” This put Israel in a very difficult situation, all because Moses tried to deliver them. How would you respond to this?

Scripture: Exodus 5:20-21

And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: 21 And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

Moses went from hero to ogre! The life of faith is not easy. It may even become more difficult for a time. But living by faith is the true path to real freedom.

Now put yourself in Moses' shoes. Nothing seems to be going right. You have your own plan. You have not paid attention to God’s plan. What do you think is going to happen?

Scripture: Exodus 5:22-23

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, LORD, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

Moses was very discouraged and frustrated. Many Christians are like him. They have their own plans and do not want to listen to God’s. As a consequence, nothing goes their way, and they get irritated at God. They want to blame Him, when the real problem is with them.

God has given us His Word. It is everything we need for both life (secular) and godliness (spiritual) (II Peter 1:3). If we heed the Book, we will find that God’s way is best. If we do not, we will be very frustrated. God has a perfect plan for our lives. He had a perfect plan for Israel, too.

God’s Two-Fold Plan:

I.) Pharaoh to Drive Israel Out:

Scripture: Exodus 6:1

Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

This seems totally impossible! Pharaoh is probably the most powerful ruler on earth at this time. He has denied knowledge of God and has absolutely no desire to give up his slaves. Yet God said that he would drive them out. “With God all things are possible.”

Illustration: Many years ago the Lord called my wife and I into missions. At first, we vainly sought support in the acceptable fashion. After a year of failure, we came back to the verse God gave us at the outset (I Thessalonians 5:24). From that point on, we decided to merely trust God and do the work He gave us to do without seeking any funds or support. From our decision in December to April of the following year, we prepared a faith approach to missions which we shared with our home church. We would not tell anyone of our need or seek anything for ourselves. We would only minister and serve. People thought we were crazy. Two months later we were commissioned and on the field. God provided wondrously and we were by far the best supported missionaries. We had God’s support.

Our philosophy was summarized by J. Hudson Taylor who said that his life and work rested on three positive facts: First, there is a living God. Second, He has spoken in the Bible. Third, He means what He says and will do all He has promised.

Moses did not have success, because he did not live like God is for real.

II.) Israel to Learn about Jehovah God:

Scripture: Exodus 6:2-7

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. 4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

In these seven verses the phrase “I am the Lord” is used three times. In connection with the ten plagues that follow, it appears 5 more times. Each time the word Lord is in all capital letters indicating this is a translation of the Hebrew Jehovah [YHWH]. The name is an acronym made up of the first letters of the conjugation of the Hebrew verb “I am”. The meaning is “The Eternal, or Self-existent One”.

Verse three says, “By my name Jehovah was I not known.” The idea here is not a new name but a new understanding of that name summed by two concepts:

1.) The Self-Existent One

The Egyptians worshiped idols - bowing down to the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:20-23). God would show the futility of this false worship by demonstrating that He is the only self-existent one.

2.) The Savior

In the Bible, Jehovah is the name associated with salvation. The name Jesus means Jehovah saves. God would demonstrate that He is the only one capable of saving us. He would do so through the plagues and the lamb.

Conclusion:

God shared all of this with Moses and Israel, but Exodus 6:9 says, “they hearkened not.” Their spirits were in so much anguish that they did not hear the message. Evangelism is frequently like this. We share the gospel, but the bondage of this world is so cruel that people do not hear. We need to ask God to give the lost ears to hear, hearts to believe, and feet to obey the good news about Jesus Christ. Christ died for our sins to set the slaves free. We who are free need to help free others.

That is what evangelism is all about. It is about freed slaves sharing the message to other slaves that Jesus Christ died to set us free from the power of sin and the hold that it has on us. We can have eternal life and forgiveness if we just repent of our sin and turn to Him. He will set us free.

Next: The Judgment of Egypt

God Sought To Kill Moses: Part II

Living By Faith

And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

Last lesson, we began looking at Exodus 4:24-26. We said that we would divide the study into two parts. In part one, we said that we would make three observations from the text. We completed the first one, noting that the Lord sought to kill Moses (vs.24). The context (vs. 22-23) revealed the hypocrisy of Moses. He was going to Egypt with a message for Pharaoh that Israel was God’s son and God would slay Pharaoh’s first born if he did not let them go. Yet, Moses had not completed the requirement of the Abrahamic covenant that he circumcise his own son (Exodus 17:9-14). Therefore, his son was excluded from Israel. He failed to practice personal separation. So, God was ready to slay him.

If God would kill Moses for shirking his responsibility to be consistent in his testimony, what do you think He will do to us? God expects us to live holy, righteous, and godly lives before this world.

Part One—Three Observations Continued:

II.) His wife had to do his job for him (vs. 25)

The second observation is that the wife of Moses had to do his job for him. The text says that Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son. As spiritual head of the home, this task belonged rightfully to Moses. But he shirked the responsibility.

God was ready to kill Moses, because he failed his duty to his family. Men need to understand that God holds us accountable for the spiritual leadership in our home. We set the standard and determine whether our home will serve God or not (Joshua 24:15). If we fail in that duty, God will judge us severely.

Unfortunately, this is all too common today. We suffer from a shortage of godly men. Too often men leave this to women. Thank God for godly women! If it were not for godly women the church would have died out long ago, but we still need godly men.

Illustration: Many years ago, our daughter, Amie, made a little paper doll for her mother. On it, she wrote an inscription that said, “World’s greatest mom.” Later, she made another doll for me labeled, “World’s greatest dad.” What impressed me the most, was the Bible she put in the hand of the doll. I was not a pastor or missionary. I was a deacon and Sunday School teacher with no plans for full-time service, but my child saw me with a Bible in my hand.

Now suppose that your child were to make a doll for you. What would most impress them about you? What imprint are you stamping in the mind of others? Are you seen as a hypocrite who puts on one face at church and another at home? How are you viewed by those around you?

Observe that as soon as Zipporah did the deed, God spared his life (vs. 26) Ladies, your husband may not be the spiritual leader that he should be, but that does not excuse you. Sometimes you must take up the sword of God’s Word to do what your husband should have done. If you do this in the right spirit, it can reach that stubborn man in your life. It can save his life and perhaps even his soul (I Peter 3:1-6).

III.) Zipporah resented doing the job (vs. 26).

The third observation we make is that Zipporah did the deed, but resented doing it. Her spirit was not right. She was very angry and demonstrated that by casting the foreskin as his feet (vs. 25) and by twice calling him a bloody husband. She was not at all happy and was not doing all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31)

Ladies, did you ever resent having to do something for your husband that he should have done. If so, you can identify with Zipporah. Perhaps, you responded as she did. Perhaps, you were angry and upset. Perhaps you did the job, and say, “See, I did it.” Simply doing the job is not sufficient. Zipporah did the job, but allowed two sin problems to develop in her life with disastrous consequences.

1.) Resentment

Zipporah resented having to do this job. Instead of “doing all to the glory of God, she angrily did it. That attitude unconfessed can lead to an even bigger problem called bitterness (Hebrews 12:15). Ultimately, it will destroy relationships Keep in mind that Zipporah began the journey to Egypt, but after this, we do not read about her again until Exodus 18.

Scripture: Exodus 18:2-6

Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

Do you see what happened? Her resentment led to separation.

2.) Self-assertiveness

Resentment is the underlying problem, but self-assertiveness is the manifestation. This is merely another sin problem that is highly advocated by modern psychology—even sometimes so-called Christian psychology. They tell us that we need more self-love and high self-esteem. They say that we need to be self-assertive. The problem in all of this is self. The Bible says that we need to die to self (Galatians 2:20).

Zipporah asserted herself. She cast the foreskin at his feet and gave him a piece of her mind. What did it get her? It got her a broken home.

Illustration: As a child, I was encouraged to assert myself. I was about a head taller than my best friend, but my parents thought he was walking all over me. He was actually about a year older and I was content to let him take the lead. My parents, who were not saved at the time, were not. So, they insisted I assert myself. One day, I did. In the ensuing exchange, my friend end up with a bloody nose, and I, a bloody mouth.

What did asserting myself accomplish? Before, we were both happy. Afterwards, we were both crying. Friends, the most miserable people that I have known were the most assertive.

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Notice that grievous words stir up anger. That is exactly what happened to Zipporah. She stirred up Moses anger, and he sent her home. No matter how macho we think we are, there is always someone who is bigger, meaner, tougher, nastier, etc. than we are.

Illustration: The psychologists and psychiatrists tell us to assert ourselves. Years ago, my neighbor was a psychiatrist at the time self-assertiveness became the popular fad with psychiatrists. We were trying to complete our first house and subbed some of the work to a contractor who turned out to be not very good. My neighbor use the same contractor as well. Sadly, I got caught in the middle of a dispute between them. One night, the shrink called and began to assert himself. That is not a good thing to do with an ex-marine. I very quickly put him in his place and then spent 45 minutes counseling him on how to deal with people in a proper biblical fashion.

Peter was a rough, tough, old fisherman who was noted for asserting himself. Whether it be whacking off someone’s ear with a sword (John 18:10) or blurting out something foolish on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:4-5), he constantly asserted himself until God humbled him. Eventually, he was used by God to write I and II Peter.

In his first epistle, Peter revealed that he learned the lesson well. The letter deals with four real life situations where it would be easy to assert ourselves:

1.) Citizen under a persecuting government (I Peter 2:13-17)

2.) Slave under a persecuting master (I Peter 2:18-25)

3.) Wife under a persecuting husband (I Peter 3:1-7)

4.) Church member under a persecuting pastor (I Peter 5:1-7)

—In each predicament, Peter counsels the same. We are to cast our care upon Christ (I Peter 5:7). Instead of self-assertiveness, we need Christ-assertiveness.

Scripture: I Peter 3:7

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Wives, the proper way to handle a husband who shirks his responsibility is to understand that his prayers are hindered by his failure to render proper honor to you. At that point, if you keep sin out of your life, you can take your problem to God. He will deal with it. My wife knows this to be true. She has taken me to the Lord on occasion and somehow, I have come around to her way of thinking.

Conclusion:

Moses by shirking his responsibility failed his wife and family. His poor leadership opened the door to sin and shut the door on relationship. By the same token he brought judgment from God upon himself. God holds men accountable for the home. Zipporah by doing his job saved his life and helped her family, but her resentment and self-assertiveness, effectively, undid any good that she accomplished. Instead of letting God deal with her husband (I Peter 3:7), she let him have a piece of her mind. In the end, she was just as guilty as he, and the family suffered terribly.

God Sought To Kill Moses: Part I

Living By Faith

Before we can even begin the journey of faith, we must learn some basic lessons from the life of Moses. Thus far we have seen that God wants us to understand that we are totally dependent upon Him. If we do not learn this lesson we will be unsuccessful in the life of faith. To fully comprehend this truth, we must rid ourselves of self image concerns and develop a healthy God image. We must know that we are mere crummy earthen vessels, but God has called us and chosen to use us. That makes us somebody, who, with His help, can do anything (Philippians 4:13).

That brings us to one of the strangest incidents in the Bible. We will divide the lesson into two parts:

Part One—Three Observations:

I.) The Lord sought to kill Moses (Exodus 4:24)

And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.

The first observation we make is that God sought to kill Moses. This is certainly a strange turn of events. Why would God want to kill Moses?

The context reveals two items of importance:

1.) God’s son (vs.22-23)

God told Moses to tell Pharaoh that Israel was His son and that He would slay the first born son of Pharaoh, if he did not let Israel go. Immediately, we jump from that to God sought to kill Moses.

2.) Moses’ son (vs.25)

God seeking to kill Moses had something to do with Moses’ son not being circumcised.

It sounds like we need to know something about circumcision. The first thing we need to know is that circumcision was a requirement of the Abrahamic covenant. All male Jewish children had to be circumcised.

Scripture: Genesis 17:9-14

And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Notice that the soul not circumcised was cut off from his people. Thus circumcision was very important in the Abrahamic covenant. The son of Moses was not part of the Jewish nation, because he was not circumcised. Moses was going to Egypt to tell Pharaoh that Israel was God’s son, but his own son was not considered part of Israel, because he failed to circumcise him. To understand more, we must turn to the New Testament, where we find that it represents two things—neither of which has anything to do with infant baptism.

1.) Circumcision is a Work of Man

Because the Bible does not say anything about infant baptism, many groups reach to circumcision for an analogy. The book of Galatians deals with circumcision as a work of man. A good introduction to the book is found in Acts.

Scripture: Acts 15:1

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

The men who taught the brethren were known as Judaizers. They are the false teachers most often mentioned in Scripture. They came to the Galatian people and told them that trusting Christ was good, but to keep or maintain their salvation they must also follow Jewish customs and traditions, including circumcision.

This is very similar to the argument that infant baptism is necessary to salvation. It is very easy to see why they would appeal to circumcision as a type. But what does Scripture say? Paul argued in Galatians that this is nothing more than an attempt to mix works with grace for salvation. That is sort of like trying to mix oil and water. The two do not mix.

Scripture: Galatians 6:15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

This verse tells us, as a work of man, circumcision has no saving merit. By the same token baptism cannot save either. Works do not save us today and did not save the Jewish people either. Salvation is now, always has been, and always will be by grace through faith.

Scripture: Romans 4:16

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Notice that salvation is by grace through faith so that the “promise might be sure.” If salvation depends upon our works, it is fickle and unsure, but because it depends upon God’s grace, it is sure and steadfast. God does not change, but we do.

The Jewish people were saved by grace through faith. Scripture records that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:13; and Galatians 3:6). When did this occur? Answer: Genesis 12: 3 - Abraham believed the promise and demonstrated his belief by departing (vs.4).

Paul correctly argued in Romans 4:9-12 that Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness (Genesis 15:6) before circumcision was instituted (Genesis 17) as a sign of the covenant. As a work of man, circumcision has no saving merit, but, as an outward sign of a covenant relationship that already exists, it teaches a second truth.

2.) Personal Separation

Scripture: Romans 2:28-29

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

To the Jew, circumcision was an outward sign they were God’s chosen people. It made them distinctly different from other nations of the world.

To the Christian, though, it is not the outward circumcision of the flesh that counts, but the inward circumcision of the heart. Judaizers, who try to follow the law, seek to lead separated lives so that they can earn or keep their salvation, but we are not of those. We recognize that salvation is by grace through faith alone and that we have liberty in Christ, but not a license to sin.

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

We are not to use grace as an occasion for sin. Rather we are to use our liberty to “by love serve one another.” We voluntarily separate to God out of love for Him and because He does a work in our heart. The only real difference between law and grace is that law unsuccessfully attempts to perform outwardly what grace successfully performs inwardly.

God changes the man of grace from the inside out.

God wanted Moses to know that He is holy and that He expects us to be holy as well (I Peter 1:16). God sought to kill Moses because he failed to practice personal separation. Many Christians sleep in Jesus because they wrongly use liberty as an occasion for the flesh and fail to practice personal separation. Sin always carries a high price (Romans 6:23)

II.) His wife had to do his job (Exodus 4:25).

Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.

The second observation is that the wife of Moses did his job for him. Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son. The job belonged to Moses, but he shirked his responsibility. God was ready to kill him for this, but Zipporah saved his life by doing it for him (vs.26).

Thank God for godly women to rescue godly men who shirk their responsibility. If it were not for godly women the church would have ceased long ago. We suffer from a shortage of godly men who will stand up for Christ and be counted. Too many try to get by with minimal attention to God. That has led to the sorry state we find ourselves in today. God wants men to take responsibility for their families. He wants men to provide spiritual leadership in the home.

III.) Zipporah resented doing the job (Exodus 4:26).

So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

The third observation we make is that Zipporah did the deed, but resented doing it. She cast the foreskin at his feet (vs.25) and twice calls him a bloody husband (vs.25, 26). She was not at all happy.

Ladies, did you ever resent doing something for your husband? It was his job, but you had to do it. If so, you can identify with Zipporah.

It is easy to say, “I’m not going to do that.” But keep in mind that her act saved the life of her husband.

Simply doing the job, though, is not sufficient. Zipporah did the job, but allowed two sin problems to develop in her life:

1.) Resentment

Zipporah resented having to do this job. Instead of “doing all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31), she angrily did it. That attitude unconfessed can lead to an even bigger problem called bitterness (Hebrews 12:15). Ultimately, it will destroy relationships (Zipporah began the journey to Egypt, but went home after this. Her father had to reconcile them. See Exodus 18.)

2.) Self assertiveness

The resentment led to another sin problem that is highly advocated by modern psychology. It is called, “self assertiveness.” (Did you notice that word “self”? They tell us we need high self esteem and we need to be self assertive.) Zipporah asserted herself, and what did it get her? It got her a broken home and separation from her husband. The most miserable and unhappy people I have ever known have been self assertive (Proverbs 15:1). What does the Bible say?

Scripture: I Peter 3:3-4

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

In the sight of God, a meek and quiet spirit is of great price. That was written by Peter, who had to learn not to be self assertive. What counsel did he give? (I Peter 5:7) Instead of asserting ourselves, we are to let Christ deal with the matter. Can you imagine what would have happened if Christ had asserted Himself on the cross? He set the example for us (I Peter 2:21-25).

Conclusion:

Moses by shirking his responsibility failed his wife and family. His poor leadership opened the door to sin and shut the door on relationship. By the same token he brought judgment from God upon himself. God holds men accountable for the home. Zipporah by doing his job saved his life and helped her family, but her resentment and self-assertiveness effectively undid any good that she accomplished. Instead of letting God deal with her husband (I Peter 3:7), she let him have a piece of her mind. In the end, she was just as guilty as he, and the family suffered terribly.

Next Lesson: Part 2

The Resurrection

Living By Faith

This is Resurrection Morning, popularly referred to as Easter Sunday. An article this past week in the Columbus Dispatch caused me to think and meditate on the resurrection of the dead. The title is Most don’t expect to rise from their graves. It goes on to say that only 36% of those surveyed answered “yes” to the question: “Do you believe that, after you die, your physical body will be resurrected someday?” 54% answered, “No.” !0% were unable to make up their minds.

This shocking revelation answers another question: “Why is this generation so non-committal?” There is little doubt that we are in the Laodicean age where the Bible says that church people are lukewarm and Christ stands outside trying to get into the hearts of men. What is our problem? It lies right here. We do not seriously believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead. Consequently, we do not know the power of the resurrection (Philippians 3:10).

If we are going to live by faith, we must believe without a doubt that if we die our bodies will be raised from the grave. To understand the importance of this doctrine, we must turn our attention to I Corinthians 15.

I.) Genuine Faith (Vs. 1-11)

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Genuine faith demands that we believe in the resurrection. In verses 1-4, Paul sets out for us the facts of the gospel. Gospel means good news. Which would you like first—the good news or the bad? Let’s start with the bad. We are sinners (Romans 3:23) and the wage for sin is death (Romans 6: 23). So what is the good news?

The good news consists of five simple facts:

1.) Christ died (vs. 3)

2.) Christ was buried (vs. 4)

3.) Christ rose again the third day (vs. 4)

4.) He did this according to the scriptures (vs. 3&4)

5.) He did it for my sins (vs. 3)

Notice that the resurrection is central to the gospel message. If we do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, we cannot be born again. The earliest church creeds contained statements to this effect and orthodox faith handed down from the apostles affirms it. The same philosophy that gave rise to evolution denies it. The curse of the man who trusts in man is think that life is only what he makes of it, and death is the end.

People who believe in the resurrection are seen as simple, ignorant, and unlearned. This is not new (Acts 17:32). The philosophers that Paul addressed on Mars Hill in Athens are the fathers of the evolutionists and atheists of our day. They have not changed. They daily mock and ridicule those who believe the Bible. They speak of reason vs. faith, as if our faith is unreasoned.

Paul points out (vs. 5-11) that our faith is based upon eyewitness accounts. Hundreds of people saw the risen Christ. Paul who zealously persecuted Christians saw the risen Savior. Not one ever recanted his story even in the face of torture and death. They knew the power of the resurrection and committed themselves to it.

II.) Empty Faith (Vs. 12-19):

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Paul begins with a question. If the resurrection of the dead is central to the gospel message, how is it that some people who profess to be Christians say that there is no resurrection of the dead (vs. 12)? If there is no resurrection, then Christ is a dead body in a tomb (vs. 13). Our faith is vain and empty (vs. 14). The eyewitnesses are liars (vs. 15). Christ is not raised (vs. 16). Our faith is vain and empty, because we have no savior (vs. 17). If we die, our body rots in the grave without hope of tomorrow (vs. 18). We are of all men most miserable (vs. 19)

The last verse applies only to those who have been willing to commit everything to Christ. Those who have sacrificed all for Christ do so because they do not believe this life is all there is. The reason why most professing Christians fail to make any serious commitment to Christ is that they do not seriously believe in the resurrection..

III.) Living Faith (Vs. 20-28):

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Living faith starts with Resurrection Morning and Christ risen from the dead. It then sees Christ as the beginning (vs. 20). Through the first Adam sin and death entered into the world. Through Christ, the second Adam, comes life and resurrection from the dead (vs. 21). In Adam all die, because all sin. Even so, all who are in Christ live (vs. 22). The resurrection of Christ is just the beginning. Those who sleep in Jesus will be raised when He comes (vs. 23).

Christ is coming to rule and reign. He is coming to triumph over all His enemies. The last enemy is death (vs. 24-28).

IV.) Moral Faith (Vs. 29-34):

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

The baptism for the dead is not some Mormon rite. God does not want us to be baptized for dead people. This is simply water baptism. When we go through the waters of baptism, we say that we want to die to self.

Paul asks, “If there is no resurrection what is the point of baptism, where we identify ourselves with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4)?” Why would I give up my past life? Why would I want to live in newness of life? Why would I sacrifice and expend myself in service to Christ? Why would anyone face death by wild beast in a Roman arena, if they did not sincerely believe in the resurrection of the dead?

Paul says that if the dead rise not, we may as well eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die (vs. 32). On the other hand, if there is a resurrection, and we believe it, then we need to wake up and act like it (vs. 33-34). The bottom line is that many in this world do not know God, because professing Christians do not really believe in the resurrection. If they did they would not act the way they do.

V.) Real Faith (Vs. 35-50):

But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

The unbelieving Christian wants to change the subject. They ask, “How are the dead raised up and with what body do they come (vs. 35)?” Paul is blunt. He says, “Thou fool (vs. 36).” We would like to excuse ourselves from the claims of Christ by asking foolish questions.

Paul likens the resurrection to a seed planted in the ground. The farmer puts the seed in the ground and it dies. But out of it springs forth new life. At Easter, we have the example of a lily bulb. It looks very humble, rude, crude, and even ugly. Planted in the ground, the bulb dies. In its place though rises something glorious and wonderful. Christ said “that even King Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like on of these (Matthew 6:28-29).”

Think of the picture! Our resurrection bodies will be so much more glorious than what we have now that we cannot even fathom how wonderful it will be!!!!

Real faith apprehends that truth. It is prepared to give all to the glory of God. It is willing to commit itself to Christ. It is will to sacrifice all. It will go to the grave for Christ. It will even live for Christ, because our destiny is a glorious eternity bearing the image of the heavenly (vs. 49).

VI.) Triumphant Faith (Vs. 51-57):

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul says, “I show you a mystery (vs. 51).” Here is something very mysterious. Not every believer will die. Some will be alive when Christ comes to rapture the church. We may very well be alive, when Christ returns, but we will be changed. It will happen so fast that you will not even be able to see it (vs. 52). The dead in Christ will be raised with their glorious and wonderful new bodies.

We will be changed—transformed instantaneously into the image of Christ. We will put on incorruption and immortality (vs. 53). When that happens, “Death is swallowed up in victory (vs. 54). The sting of death will be no more. Our sin nature will be gone forever more. We will sin no more. “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 57).”

Conclusion (Vs. 58):

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

”Therefore”—”In light of that,”—we ought to commit ourselves to Christ. We ought to put all on the altar for Him. We ought to give up our self life and live for Him. We ought to be “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” We can do this, because our labor is not in vain!!! He is risen, and we will, too!!!!

Next Lesson: God Seeks To Kill Moses

Moses: Part III—The Problem

Living By Faith

Before we can set out on the journey of faith, we must deal with the issues revealed in the life of Moses. We must recognize that we are dependent upon God for everything. We must also understand that God has the answer to any excuse we might use. He patiently answered the objections of Moses, but the stubborn persistence at rejecting God’s call reveals a deeper problem that we sometimes refer to as self-image.

This is probably one of the hottest topics in man’s thinking today. Unfortunately, much of what has been written is foolishness. One example is the idea that we need to learn to love ourselves. Nothing could be further from the truth! The basic assumption of Scripture is that we already love ourselves too much. Hence, Scripture records, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Romans 13:9, Matthew 19:19, etc.)

People who have self-image problems do not suffer from a lack of self-love. They may have a warped sense of it, but they definitely have self-love. In fact their over-active sinfully corrupt self-love is part of the problem.

If we are going to gain the victory over this issue, we must recognize it as a sin problem for that is exactly what it is. We must then look to God for victory and understand two concepts:

1.) We are not alone (I Corinthians 10:13)

Many people have had problems with self-image and have overcome them. Moses is just one example.

2.) The problem of self-image is self

Sometimes the simple and obvious truths are the most difficult and profound. Much of the literature misses the real problem, which is self. Someone has rightly said that “I” is in the middle of sin. We have a sin nature and one of the ways this nature manifests itself is in a self-oriented life which results in self-image problems.

I.) Two Categories of Self-Image Problems:

A.) High Self-Esteem:

The first category is high self-esteem. According to the world, this is not a problem. In fact, most counseling is directed toward achieving this position, but, unfortunately, as Christians this merely undoes what God is trying to accomplish in our lives. The first thing God wants to do is lower our self-esteem.

Moses began with high self-esteem. It was so high that he thought he could single-handedly deliver his people from the Egyptians (Exodus 2:11-15). Of course, he failed. God is not interested in feeding our ego (II Corinthians 4:7). Like many of us, when our high self-esteem fails, he fled out into the wilderness, where God lowered his high opinion of himself and humbled him.

This is a primary goal of God in the life of each believer. He wants to humble us.

Scripture: Proverbs 21:4 and 11:2

An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

There are literally dozens of similar verses. God desires to lower man’s high opinion of himself. He wants to lower our self-esteem. The wilderness is the school that God uses.

B.) Low Self-Esteem:

The second category is the one that seems to most concern us. We think this is the real issue. We think we can solve all our problems if we just have high self-esteem. Instead, we should understand that low self-esteem merely indicates that God is working. He first lowers our self-opinion, but that is not the end. He does not desire His people to have low self-esteem. This is only a stopover on the way to victory.

God took Moses from a position of royalty in Egypt to lowly shepherd in Midian. In the process, Moses lost his self-confidence. He went from extroverted leader of men to introverted tender of sheep who was afraid to even speak in front of people.

Previously, we said that the problem of self-esteem is self. Now that we have laid the groundwork, let us demonstrate this.

The Difference Between High and Low Is This:

1.) High focuses on our strengths.

2.) Low focuses on our weaknesses.

Both share a common denominator. Both focus on self.

II.) The Solution:

The solution to the problem is to change our focus. We need to stop looking at self. Instead of focusing on my strengths or my weaknesses, God wants me to focus on Christ. He expects me to die to self and live to Christ.

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

This is not some religious platitude. Paul was not an ignorant hypocrite, telling us to do something that he knew nothing about. He, like Moses, began with very high self-esteem.

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-6

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Observe that esteem issues stem from our trust in the flesh. When our trust appears well-founded, we have high self-esteem. When it does not, we have low. It is our trust in the flesh that creates the issue. Instead of walking by faith, we walk by sight and suffer this as a consequence.

Prior to salvation, Saul, who later became Paul, trusted in his self. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews. He was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). Gamalial was His world-renowned teacher. He was zealous in his religion trying to keep the Law for salvation. Then He met Christ on the road to Damascus.

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

On the way to kill Christians, he met Christ and fell to the earth. We may think we are something, but that will change when we meet Him. Saul made his boast in the Law. He thought he could keep it and save himself. He rested in his self-confidence and self-control. But this self-esteem condemns us to hell, because it does not reckon with our sin nature. We substitute zeal and effort for perfection, but God is holy (I Peter 1:16).

Scripture: Romans 3:23 and 6:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Face to face with Christ, he recognized his own inadequacies in measuring up to the perfect standard of God. He fell to his knees as Saul, the self-righteous, but arose as Paul, the crucified with Christ—dead to self and living by faith in the Son of God.

To be victorious over self-image as Christians, we must recognize and believe two truths:

1.) For without me, ye can do nothing (John 15:5)

2.) I can do all things with Christ (Philippians 4:13)

This is how I deal with my self-image problems. If I feel inadequate, I simply trust the promise of Philippians 4:13 and ask God to help me. If I get puffed up, I remind myself that without Christ I can do nothing and confess my pride as sin.

It is not he flesh that counts, but God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). We are merely the vessels that God has chosen to use. Our job is to allow God to displace self with Himself. The solution then to self-image is God-image. If we have a proper image of God, we do not have to worry about self. We just need to trust Him.

III.) The God-Made Man:

Both Moses and Paul were God-made men. Trusting in self left them defeated and humbled. Trusting in God made them great.

So how did God accomplish this great feat?

Scripture: Exodus 4:13-14

And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

These two verses are the turning point for Moses. Four times, he objected and four times God answered. Still Moses resisted. Then God provided two motivators.

Two Motivators:

1.) God became angry (vs. 14a)

First God became angry. This put the fear of God into Moses and that [fear] is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). This healthy fear of the Lord is much like a child’s fear of his parent. We spoke out of turn and expect the rod of chastening to fall. We desire to please Him and the discipline serves to reinforce in our memory that we have displeased Him.

God loves and cares for us (Psalm 103:13). He will patiently deal with us, but sooner or later, obedience is demanded (Hebrews 11:6) Trusting the promises of God’s Word is simply a matter of determining in our minds that we are going to obey regardless of our feelings or doubts. Victorious Christians are not without ill feelings or doubts, but they do not allow these to defeat them.

2.) God gave companionship (vs. 14b)

Second, God gave companionship. The text says that God brought Aaron to meet Moses and help him. Much effort in Christianity fails because we try to go it alone. It is interesting that Paul never went anywhere by himself. He always had helpers, because he recognized the value of godly companionship.

There is nothing like good fellowship to overcome self-image problems. Godly friendship does not put other people down. It is self-sacrificing (I Corinthians 13) and it turns our attention away from self. That is one of the advantages of a godly marriage. We have built-in companionship.

Conclusion:

—Gaining victory over self-image problems is a matter of changing our focus. Instead of concern for self, we need concern for others. Instead of self-image, we need God image. We need to:

1.) Fix our eyes on Christ (Hebrews 12:1-3)

2.) Spend time in God’s Word (Romans 10:17)

3.) Seek out Christian fellowship (Hebrews 10:24)

4.) Do for others (I Corinthians 15:58)

Paul sums it up in a sentence, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).”

Next Lesson: The Resurrection