WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.160 One of the stories that really captured me this week was that on Monday, 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:11.200 the pupils of the army school in Peshawar went back to class. 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:22.039 Their school that on the 16th of December, four Taliban armed gunmen walked in and went on the rampage. 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:30.320 The most atrocious thing that Pakistan has seen for many, many decades. 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:37.299 148 dead, 132 of which were children under 15. 00:00:38.599 --> 00:00:44.739 A further 130 taken to hospital with bullet wounds. 00:00:47.539 --> 00:00:49.679 Kashif Ali said this, he's 10 years old. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:54.780 I came to school after 26 days and noticed all my friends were missing. 00:00:56.100 --> 00:00:59.340 I cried because I miss them so much. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:07.079 Lakit Ahmed, 13 years old, I'm afraid because the Taliban can hit at any time. 00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:12.500 I saw the classrooms where the Taliban killed all my friends. 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:15.340 And I couldn't hold back the tears. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:24.840 Shahrukh Khan, 16 years old, shot in both legs, who only survived because he pretended to be dead. 00:01:25.800 --> 00:01:28.280 Hiding under the dead body of his best friend. 00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:32.260 I've lost 30 of my friends. 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:35.680 How will I sit in the empty classroom? 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:39.340 How will I look at their empty benches? 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:46.740 How will I survive when it is only my jacket on the hook of the classroom? 00:01:47.800 --> 00:01:49.120 My heart is broken. 00:01:50.219 --> 00:01:52.000 All my classmates have died. 00:01:53.140 --> 00:01:54.760 Now my heart hates school. 00:01:55.500 --> 00:01:57.540 And I'm terrified to come back. 00:01:59.540 --> 00:02:00.100 Sickening. 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:02.120 Brutal. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:04.800 So unfair. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:05.540 So unjust. 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:10.460 There is something that is utterly repugnant about the killing of children. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:18.080 Something that was an absolute atrocity that went down in that school in Pakistan. 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:21.800 Utterly inhumane. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:27.340 How each of us should be praying for these children. 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:31.040 And the pain and brutality that they witnessed. 00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:35.139 But when we left Exodus 1. 00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:38.979 There's something even more brutal going on. 00:02:39.079 --> 00:02:40.039 Something even more. 00:02:41.359 --> 00:02:42.000 Inhumane. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:43.479 And something even more. 00:02:44.739 --> 00:02:45.379 Disgusting. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:49.180 You see in chapter 1. 00:02:50.759 --> 00:02:52.599 There's a new pharaoh in town. 00:02:52.699 --> 00:02:53.479 And he's decided. 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:55.500 That he wants to set about. 00:02:56.180 --> 00:02:56.780 Disarming. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:02:57.899 And killing. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:02:59.280 The Hebrews. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:03.800 That are enslaved in his country. 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:09.740 And he tries to do this by enlisting the help of Shipra and Pua. 00:03:09.860 --> 00:03:11.860 These two Hebrew midwives. 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:14.139 Saying that when they give birth. 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:15.379 Don't worry about the baby. 00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:16.159 Make sure. 00:03:16.680 --> 00:03:18.199 If he's a boy he dies. 00:03:19.240 --> 00:03:21.060 But we read it was unsuccessful. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:25.439 These midwives honored. 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:26.659 The Lord. 00:03:26.659 --> 00:03:29.719 That was small scale. 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:30.819 At the maternity ward. 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:32.539 But if you've got Exodus 1 open. 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:34.979 See what it says in verse 22. 00:03:38.979 --> 00:03:41.879 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:44.639 Every Hebrew boy that is born. 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:46.460 You must throw into the Nile. 00:03:46.859 --> 00:03:49.400 But let every girl live. 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.159 It was small scale. 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:53.500 In the maternity ward. 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:55.000 Now it is in the neighborhoods. 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:57.280 Now it is the right. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:58.140 And the. 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:00.219 Responsibility. 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:01.680 Of every Egyptian. 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:04.360 That if their Hebrew neighbor has a baby boy. 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:06.180 Then they've got to be thrown into the Nile. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:10.740 This is not some. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:12.520 Faction of militants. 00:04:12.640 --> 00:04:13.640 Breaking into a school. 00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:15.979 This is state sponsored terrorism. 00:04:16.479 --> 00:04:18.759 To ensure that the Hebrew nation. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:20.500 Is utterly decimated. 00:04:22.899 --> 00:04:24.519 Things have changed overnight. 00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:28.139 It would be something akin to what we saw in Rwanda. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:32.479 Where on the 7th of April 1994. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:34.079 These two communities. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:35.639 That got along side by side. 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:36.159 Suddenly. 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:38.879 The Hutu majority turned on the Tutsi. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:39.959 Minority. 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:43.539 And in a hundred days. 00:04:44.599 --> 00:04:46.599 A million people were killed. 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:51.139 If Egypt had 24 hour. 00:04:51.300 --> 00:04:52.639 Scrolling news. 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:55.879 It would read something like this. 00:04:55.879 --> 00:04:59.259 More countless Hebrew boys killed today. 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:01.920 With the video of the Nile. 00:05:02.040 --> 00:05:03.100 And Hebrew babies. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:05.240 Just strewn across the banks. 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:08.819 Some fat crocodiles. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:09.879 Circling. 00:05:12.459 --> 00:05:14.420 Utterly horrendous. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:18.180 Channel 4 documentary. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.560 One drowned every minute. 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:22.379 BBC. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:24.100 Drama. 00:05:24.259 --> 00:05:25.659 Don't bother calling the midwife. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:28.879 Utterly repugnant. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:29.439 Repugnant. 00:05:30.579 --> 00:05:32.860 And if you're a Hebrew in Egypt. 00:05:34.019 --> 00:05:35.920 Where is God in all of this? 00:05:37.779 --> 00:05:41.800 They are literally taking away our future and our livelihood. 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:42.639 Where are you? 00:05:43.659 --> 00:05:45.120 Why won't you do something? 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:47.759 What is going on? 00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:50.740 Abandoned. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:51.600 Bereft. 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:53.100 Hopeless. 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:54.079 Helpless. 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:54.339 Yes. 00:05:55.039 --> 00:05:56.819 And pretty much every Hebrew. 00:05:57.579 --> 00:05:58.459 Is in mourning. 00:06:00.139 --> 00:06:03.000 You may not have had tragedies like this in your life. 00:06:03.919 --> 00:06:05.620 But I'm sure you've asked this question. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:06.479 Where is God? 00:06:07.159 --> 00:06:08.219 What is he doing? 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:09.579 Why am I so alone? 00:06:10.919 --> 00:06:12.459 And as we come to chapter 2. 00:06:12.539 --> 00:06:13.659 It's not like it says. 00:06:13.919 --> 00:06:14.919 And then God showed up. 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:15.779 And it was all alright. 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:19.459 In fact chapter 2 takes 80 years. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:21.539 And God's only mentioned at the very end. 00:06:21.739 --> 00:06:22.599 By name. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:27.819 It's hardly like international rescue is on the way. 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:36.459 Yet I think what we see when we really dig into this verse. 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:37.480 These verses. 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:40.259 Is that God is always working. 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:43.319 God is always working. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:47.519 And we're going to see that so profoundly today in the life of Moses. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:47.799 Jesus. 00:06:49.579 --> 00:06:53.759 We're going to see that God is moving his pieces around the board. 00:06:53.979 --> 00:06:58.399 In order that the greatest rescue the Old Testament ever saw happened. 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:01.939 We're going to see that God. 00:07:02.899 --> 00:07:08.579 Though he may not be front and center blatantly obvious doing his work. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:09.959 He is behind the scenes. 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:12.379 And he's about his business. 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:15.379 We see that God is always working. 00:07:16.180 --> 00:07:17.019 And let me show you. 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:18.800 In the first 10 verses. 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:20.719 So make sure you've got a Bible. 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:24.360 Look with me at chapter 2 verses 1 to 10. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:25.079 Let me read them. 00:07:29.259 --> 00:07:32.759 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman. 00:07:33.219 --> 00:07:35.680 And she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. 00:07:36.420 --> 00:07:38.699 When she saw that he was a fine child. 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:40.259 She hid him for three months. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:42.699 But when she could hide him no longer. 00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:44.819 She got a papyrus basket for him. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:47.060 And coated it with tar and pitch. 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:49.599 Then she placed the child in it. 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:50.839 And put it among the reeds. 00:07:51.139 --> 00:07:52.779 Along the bank of the Nile. 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:55.399 His sister stood at a distance. 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:57.139 To see what would happen to him. 00:07:58.139 --> 00:08:00.699 Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe. 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:03.439 And her attendants were walking along the river bank. 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:05.639 She saw the basket among the reeds. 00:08:05.719 --> 00:08:07.560 And sent her female slave to get it. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:09.639 She opened it and saw the baby. 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:13.079 He was crying and she felt sorry for him. 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:16.039 This is one of the Hebrew babies she said. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.560 Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:21.879 Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you? 00:08:22.159 --> 00:08:23.360 Yes go she answered. 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:26.379 So the girl went and got the baby's mother. 00:08:27.659 --> 00:08:28.959 Pharaoh's daughter said to her. 00:08:29.039 --> 00:08:31.019 Take this baby and nurse him for me. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:32.439 And I will pay you. 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:35.760 So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 00:08:36.060 --> 00:08:39.420 When the child grew older she took him to Pharaoh's daughter. 00:08:39.780 --> 00:08:41.140 And he became her son. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:45.960 She named him Moses saying I drew him out of the water. 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:50.259 It's probably the most famous story in Exodus isn't it? 00:08:50.300 --> 00:08:51.940 Moses in the bulrushes. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:53.840 It always strikes me. 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:57.960 That one of the things that expectant parents need to buy is a Moses basket. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:02.660 And what goes into my mind is that none of the things you're buying are seaworthy. 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:08.399 And I just have visions of you floating your newborn baby and abandoning them down the water of leaf. 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:15.919 What we see in this section is the floating Moses. 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:19.759 And I want to show you where God is at work. 00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:26.559 And I want to show you it through four pieces of delicious irony that we see all over this passage. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:28.879 Here's the first one. 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:36.860 Out of the river of death is drawn life and deliverance. 00:09:37.559 --> 00:09:42.059 Out of the river of death is drawn life and deliverance. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.759 There's this Levi couple. 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:44.679 They have a baby. 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:47.799 They managed to protect him for three months. 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:49.939 But they can't hide him any longer. 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:52.200 Do you know when the neighbors come round? 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:54.320 Is that a baby crying? 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:55.460 Oh no, that's the cat. 00:09:55.799 --> 00:09:56.980 Is that the baby crying? 00:09:57.019 --> 00:09:58.059 Oh no, that's the wind. 00:09:58.059 --> 00:10:07.219 And it gets to the stage where they just need to get him out of the house and trust that God knows what he's doing. 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:12.199 And so they build this basket, this literally ark. 00:10:13.299 --> 00:10:14.979 And they float him down the river. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:23.199 And I think they do it quite strategically because I guess where Pharaoh's daughter bathes is quite a well-known place. 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:25.120 And they float to him. 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.660 And she finds him. 00:10:28.160 --> 00:10:32.820 I love the great irony here that Moses' mother is paid to look after him. 00:10:32.900 --> 00:10:35.020 It's like the beginning of the welfare state in Egypt. 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:38.879 But do you see this great irony? 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:51.319 The river Nile that had now become synonymous with the death of babies is from this Nile that Moses is drawn out and with him life and deliverance because God is working. 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:54.519 God is doing something. 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:55.519 God is doing something. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:56.519 God is doing something. 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:58.019 Second great irony is this. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:01.179 Pharaoh's order and Pharaoh's daughter. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:09.079 Out of Pharaoh's house goes this horrible edict that Hebrew boys must be thrown into the Nile. 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:17.759 And yet it's into Pharaoh's house that this baby Moses is brought as a haven against that hostility. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:23.580 It's an incredible irony showing that God is at work. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:29.419 And the third delicious irony is like what God is always up to. 00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:34.819 Weak women and a baby versus the most powerful man in the world. 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:39.200 Women in this society are not valued. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.679 They're not treated as equal. 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:42.960 They're very much seen as possessions. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:49.680 And you have Moses' mom, Moses' sister, the female slave and Pharaoh's daughter. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.720 And they all work together. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:58.980 The most underwhelming rescue team you've ever seen. 00:12:00.300 --> 00:12:08.080 And it's through their efforts that Pharaoh's downfall begins. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:11.759 It's an incredible truth. 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:13.360 And it's true, isn't it? 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:15.139 We get so familiar with artists. 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:21.000 So if I show you these paintings, you'll be able to guess who painted them. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:26.279 Van Gogh or Van Gogh, depending on where you come from. 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.179 Or this one. 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:33.259 Picasso. 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:34.819 Good old Pablo. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:38.139 We just get used to how he works, how he draws. 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:40.559 We see his hand in everything. 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:41.879 One for the younger people. 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:46.840 Banksy. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.580 The stencil graffiti artist. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:51.059 We just know how he paints. 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:56.600 We can see his hand at work in situations. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:13:05.840 And I think when we really get in to Exodus 2, we see that God's hand is all over the place. 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:09.720 And these amazing ironies that he is working. 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:15.600 Though it's not front and center, blatantly obvious, God is at work. 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:18.360 That brings us to our fourth great irony. 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:27.620 The crushing hand of oppression from Pharaoh is going to be thwarted by the gentle hand of providence as God does his work. 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:32.360 God is always working. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:36.920 If we've got eyes to see what he's doing, we'll see that he's doing it. 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:38.840 And he's doing it all the time. 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:44.340 So often we miss providence because we're looking for miracle. 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:47.040 God has two hands. 00:13:47.300 --> 00:13:50.019 He has a miraculous hand and a providential hand. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:53.639 And his miraculous hand blows our mind. 00:13:55.320 --> 00:14:00.660 But his hand of providence working through the mundane and the mediocre should blow our minds as well. 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:06.360 Jesus says, doesn't he, my father is always working. 00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:08.839 He's always doing something. 00:14:08.959 --> 00:14:09.959 He's not slumbering. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.139 He's not sleeping. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:15.100 He's in control and he's making sure that his purposes work out. 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:17.839 That's true in Exodus 2. 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:19.120 That's true in your life. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:23.039 That he is like the master craftsman working. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:33.399 In order that you might be part of his family and conform to his likeness. 00:14:33.699 --> 00:14:35.599 He's working in your life. 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:37.779 He's working in your life through the life of others. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:40.579 He's providing good things that you enjoy. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:42.259 He is working in the world. 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:46.360 And he's at it 24-7, 365. 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.039 Doing it all the time. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:50.919 God is at work. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:53.399 He's doing it all for his glory. 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:55.779 John Piper says this. 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:58.679 God is always doing 10,000 things in your life. 00:14:59.079 --> 00:15:00.819 And you may be aware of three of them. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:06.099 You see that God is working to make his mediator ready. 00:15:07.479 --> 00:15:12.419 God is working in order that his purposes will happen. 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:16.480 Look with me at the second half of the chapter and we'll see. 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:20.799 That he's not only at work in preserving Mercer's life. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:24.659 But he's at work in preparing Moses for his job. 00:15:25.599 --> 00:15:26.799 Chapter 2 verse 11. 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:34.299 One day after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. 00:15:35.479 --> 00:15:38.860 He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:44.000 Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:48.120 The next day he went and saw two Hebrews fighting. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.399 He asked the one in the wrong, why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew? 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:55.240 The man said, who made you ruler and judge over us? 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:58.600 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian? 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:03.740 Then Moses was afraid and thought, what I did must have become no. 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:06.680 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:12.500 But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:21.120 Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.360 Some shepherds came along and drove them away. 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:27.159 But Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock. 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:33.299 When the girls returned to Reuel, their father, he asked them, why have you returned so early today? 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:36.620 They answered, an Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. 00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:39.360 He even drew water for us and watered the flock. 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:41.019 And where is he? 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:42.699 Reuel asked his daughter. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.500 Why did you leave him? 00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:46.299 Invite him to have something to eat. 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:51.319 Moses agreed to stay with the man who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:55.299 Zipporah gave birth to a son and Moses named him Gershom. 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:58.899 Saying, I have become a foreigner in a foreign land. 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:01.959 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. 00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:05.200 The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:10.680 And their cry for help, because of their slavery, went up to God. 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:16.379 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:21.059 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:29.599 You have to say, God has worked quite well in preserving Moses' life, but it seems a little bit pathetically slow. 00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:35.819 Hebrew babies are being killed everywhere and God's answer is, let's preserve the life of one baby. 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:38.440 Seems really slow. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:45.319 By the time we get to Exodus 2 verse 11, Moses the boy is about 40 years old. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:53.139 And he thinks he's ready to be the savior of his people. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:56.700 So he sees this fight going on and he kills the Egyptian. 00:17:57.980 --> 00:18:00.059 And he buries him and thinks he's got away. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:05.240 He knows he's doing something wrong because the writer clearly says he looked this way and that. 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:10.039 He knew this was wrong and therefore he did it in such a way that he might not get caught. 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:19.119 But the word got out and the next day the Hebrew people that are fighting confront him saying, 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.920 we know what you did yesterday. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:23.879 Do you see how privilege has led to pride? 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:28.420 Moses has had the most privileged upbringing you could ever imagine. 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:31.899 Growing up in Pharaoh's house, he wanted for nothing. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:35.319 Yet do you see he also knew that he was a Hebrew. 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:38.980 He calls them my people when he says Hebrews. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:41.099 One of his own people. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:45.980 And therefore the privilege that he had led to his pride thinking, I know what. 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:49.000 I can solve my people's problems. 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:55.299 He takes matters into his own hands and he kills the Egyptian. 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:59.839 Rash, foolish, proud, arrogant. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:04.539 And when word gets out, he knows that Pharaoh will have his head. 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:08.860 And so he flees to the desert of Midian. 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:15.920 Midian would be like Alawa. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.120 It's just like the back of nowhere. 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:20.079 There's nothing going on. 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:24.900 Every time I mention a place in Scotland, there's always someone from here and I spend the rest of the day apologizing to them. 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:28.320 There's nothing going on there. 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:30.820 Moses thinks, I've really messed up. 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:40.700 He flees because he was rash and tried to take matters into his own hands, thinking that he had all the answers to his people's problems. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:45.560 Proud, arrogant, conceited. 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:54.319 But we're going to see that God uses this mistake to prepare Moses's character. 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:59.159 That God was working in the first place to preserve his people. 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:01.899 Now he's preparing his mediator. 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:05.720 And the first thing that happens is remarkable. 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:12.960 Seven daughters of the priest of Midian get some hassle from some local shepherds. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.960 Moses. 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:19.160 And Moses' attitude in their rescue is completely different to what he does in Egypt. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.120 Do you see how he's humble? 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:25.140 He has absolutely nothing to do with these women. 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.360 And yet he steps in. 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:30.720 He rescues them and he goes above and beyond because he says, do you know what? 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.960 I'll water your flock. 00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:33.579 Take it easy. 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:38.679 And he's done it really well because their dad is surprised that they're back so early. 00:20:40.939 --> 00:20:46.699 Do you see where proud arrogance was his problem, he now shows real humility. 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:53.759 Where it was proud arrogance, he now exhibits humility. 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.939 God is at work. 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:02.079 Moses thinks he's made a mess, but God is preparing and working in his life. 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:05.899 And produces mediator. 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:10.539 Eventually, he marries Zipporah. 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.740 And they have a son. 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:16.559 And they call him Gershom or Gershi for short. 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:20.779 And that name means foreigner in a foreign land. 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:25.399 Do you see that God has not only been at work to humble Moses. 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:29.119 He's now given him empathy as well. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:33.399 Moses knows that his people, the Hebrews. 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:36.299 Moses are foreigners in a foreign land. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:39.019 But he knew nothing of it. 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:43.000 He grew up at the Pharaoh's table in the Pharaoh's house wanting for nothing. 00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:47.559 And yet here in Midian, God works through this mistake. 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:53.179 So that finally he can empathize with his people. 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:55.980 God is at work. 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:59.160 He's working on Moses' character now. 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:01.740 So that his mediator will be ready. 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.900 It takes a long time. 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:08.700 Forty years in Egypt. 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:12.839 Forty years in Midian. 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:16.759 And not one day God isn't at work to prepare his mediator. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:20.160 To preserve him and then to work on his character. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:22.660 Do you see though? 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:29.840 That Moses is now a great go-between for the job that God has for him to do. 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:36.580 God needs someone to mediate between Pharaoh in Egypt and the Hebrew people. 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:39.039 And so what happens? 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:43.359 He spends 40 years learning all about the Pharaoh and the Egyptian people. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:48.159 And then he spends 40 years empathizing with the Hebrews who are in slavery. 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:51.079 That seems like a great mediator to me. 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:53.019 Somebody who understands both sides. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:56.299 And yet we read in the book of Hebrews. 00:22:57.799 --> 00:23:01.420 That Moses is only the second best mediator that the world has ever seen. 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:05.139 Because the best mediator the world has ever seen. 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:10.779 Is somebody who's able to mediate between a holy God and sinful people like you and me. 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:17.299 And yet God wasn't working on Jesus' character. 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:22.400 Jesus was perfectly fit for the job. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:25.960 Somebody who was, as Hebrews 1 says, fully God. 00:23:26.800 --> 00:23:30.740 And somebody who was, as Hebrews 2 says, fully human. 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:35.700 The perfect go-between for sinful people is the Lord Jesus. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:37.680 Fully God, fully human. 00:23:38.820 --> 00:23:39.240 Perfect. 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:43.759 Says also in Hebrews that he's able to sympathize with us. 00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:47.780 He knows exactly what we're going through all the time. 00:23:47.780 --> 00:23:49.960 And he says more than that, I'm able to help. 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:54.519 He says, I'm able to represent you to God and God to you. 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:57.180 He says, I'm a friend forever. 00:23:58.039 --> 00:24:03.160 I am someone who made you, who likes you, who's with you, who's for you. 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:07.840 And because of my death and resurrection, we'll be with you. 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:11.360 Even into eternity. 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:15.179 We all need a mediator. 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:18.240 We've got merit to come before God. 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:22.559 We've got lives that are soiled before God. 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:25.899 We've got lives that have fallen short before God. 00:24:25.979 --> 00:24:27.659 We don't have a leg to stand on. 00:24:28.959 --> 00:24:30.179 And yet there's this one. 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.659 This mediator like Moses. 00:24:33.219 --> 00:24:34.539 Who gets us. 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:35.979 Who loves us. 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.419 Who knows us. 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:40.900 Who's done everything possible to forgive us. 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:43.920 And he says, you're welcome because of me. 00:24:44.800 --> 00:24:47.640 Jesus is a perfect mediator. 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:51.300 God is always at work. 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.340 Look at verse 23. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:56.860 You get kind of a summary at the end of this section. 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.880 Still really tough for the Israelites. 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.320 Verse 23. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.700 They groan and cry out. 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:08.759 Isn't it amazing that after 80 years they finally decide praying might be a good idea? 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:13.939 And it would be silly for us to think that it's on their prayers that God finally does something. 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:18.759 I'm so pleased that God doesn't wait for me to pray before he does work. 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.599 It's really reassuring. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:27.599 I'm so pleased that the power of this sermon doesn't depend on how long that I prayed before I stood up here. 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:30.119 Because God's always at work. 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:35.679 He loves to hear our prayers but he's been no means dependent upon them. 00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:39.219 God's plan is gaining traction. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.779 He's preserved his mediator. 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:44.559 The mediator is now ready. 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:50.539 Having exhibited godly character that now he's going to be useful to God. 00:25:51.479 --> 00:25:53.099 What do we learn in Exodus 2? 00:25:53.179 --> 00:25:54.079 He's always working. 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:57.799 He's working in your life and my life and our lives together. 00:25:57.799 --> 00:26:02.339 And he's doing it all for his glory and his plan. 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:05.659 I was really struck by this this week. 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:10.919 And here's some ways I think we can respond to what God is always doing. 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:17.279 The first thing I think it reminds us of is that God is really interested in our character. 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:26.560 He's really interested that we're those that exhibit servant hearts, humility, and empathy. 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:37.519 And therefore I wonder whether this week you wouldn't take a whiteboard marker and on your bathroom mirror you wouldn't write the fruits of the Spirit. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:41.059 Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control. 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:47.299 So that every time you look at yourself in the mirror you see that character imprinted on your face. 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:54.339 And every time you clean your teeth you'll go, actually God's really interested in the character I'm exhibiting in my life. 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:59.819 Make sure it is a whiteboard marker because if it's a permanent marker it'll be with you for the rest of your life. 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:02.220 Life, which would by no means mean a bad thing. 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:08.419 Secondly, to really trust that God knows what he's doing. 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:12.119 Though I don't know what many of you are facing at the moment. 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:18.939 But one thing we do read in God's word that he's working all things together for the good of those who love him and are called with a purpose. 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.200 So we can trust him. 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:25.039 And when difficult things happen we're so ready to go, why God? 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:27.639 Why don't we shift that question? 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.779 And go, how? 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:35.539 How God can I walk through this in a way that makes you look good? 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:37.819 And then the what question. 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:42.259 What are you trying to teach me through this experience? 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:44.920 Not the why question, this is unfair. 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.099 But the how question. 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:49.279 And the what question. 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:54.740 Thirdly, write a list of all the ways that God is working in your life. 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:57.200 Because you'll so easily forget them. 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.680 And the number four, pray. 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:05.599 Pray that what he's doing would be to his glory. 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:09.079 Pray and pray and pray. 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:12.180 That God might be at work in your life. 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:16.599 Obviously they're all things you're going to do if you're a Christian here this morning. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:19.240 But what if you're not a Christian? 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:21.220 Somebody who doesn't know the Lord Jesus. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:25.680 Or perhaps you're here at a point in your life where you don't know where to turn. 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:30.380 You think no one really gets me and I've got no hope and nowhere to turn. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:35.579 Can I say that you've got a friend forever who wants to help in the Lord Jesus? 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:40.720 A friend forever who wants to help in the Lord Jesus. 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:44.799 You never know, he might have even brought you here this morning. 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:47.600 As a way to be at work in your life. 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:51.539 Do you know, God is always working. 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:53.860 He's always doing something. 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:56.420 And if we get with his plan. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:29:00.539 And look out for it every minute of every day. 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:05.139 Then it will be for our great blessing and his great glory. 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.559 Why don't we pause. 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:09.099 Take some time to pray through this ourselves. 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.779 And then I'll pray. 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.539 And then we'll sing. 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:22.500 Father God, thank you that you're always working. 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:26.420 Father, that you never give up on us. 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:31.680 But you're always shaping us and molding us and transforming us. 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:35.440 In order that we might be conformed to the image of your son. 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:39.000 Father, I pray for my friends in this room. 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:40.180 Whether they know you or not. 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:42.560 Be at work in their lives. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:45.680 Father, thank you that you've ultimately worked. 00:29:46.580 --> 00:29:48.380 Through the person of your son. 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:52.320 That he is our mediator who fits us. 00:29:52.800 --> 00:29:53.539 For heaven. 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:55.100 Who forgives us our sins. 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:57.679 And that our lives are now hidden. 00:29:58.199 --> 00:29:59.439 With Christ in God. 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:02.819 Father, I pray that you would be at work. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.919 In the rest of our service. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.539 Father, you would be at work. 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:09.599 As we share coffee and tea afterwards. 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:12.139 Father, you would be at work. 00:30:12.199 --> 00:30:13.119 Around the dinner table. 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.359 You would be at work. 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:16.299 This afternoon. 00:30:16.439 --> 00:30:17.359 You would be at work. 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.559 As we all gather back. 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.519 This evening. 00:30:19.719 --> 00:30:20.839 Father, you would be at work. 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:22.240 On Monday and Tuesday. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:25.279 Father, be at work. 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.339 In our lives. 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:29.779 Father, be at work in my life. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.980 I pray. 00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.559 In Jesus' name. 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:33.680 Amen. 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:33.779 Amen.