WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:02.960 Well, good morning and pleased to have a seat. 00:00:03.980 --> 00:00:06.780 If you have a Bible, please turn to Exodus chapter 5. 00:00:08.380 --> 00:00:12.320 What I love about the first song that we sang this morning is it's got the word I in it. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:13.240 Did everyone notice that? 00:00:13.700 --> 00:00:14.900 I, Lord, we adore thee. 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:17.219 It's almost like it was written for Scottish people. 00:00:18.080 --> 00:00:20.300 But it just means, yes, Lord, we adore thee. 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:25.280 And I pray that that is our heart's cries when we look at this passage together. 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:30.280 So let's pray and let's dedicate this time to God. 00:00:32.620 --> 00:00:41.700 Father, we come before you this morning acknowledging your greatness, your goodness, and your abundant grace to us. 00:00:42.659 --> 00:00:45.939 Father, thank you that you are not a God who has remained silent. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:52.359 God, you are not a God who is silent, but you speak today as your word is preached. 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:57.840 And so it's our prayer now, gracious God, that you would come and you would change us. 00:00:57.979 --> 00:00:58.939 You would mold us. 00:00:59.060 --> 00:01:01.519 And, Father, that we would hear your voice. 00:01:02.259 --> 00:01:07.099 And so we pray for your Holy Spirit to come and to do his work in our lives, we pray. 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:08.219 Amen. 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:16.799 So what do you do in life when things don't quite turn out the way that you thought they would? 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:22.420 I've been looking this week at the story of Adoniram Judson, 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:30.659 a young man who leaves Bible college with a clear sense of God's call in his life to be a missionary overseas. 00:01:31.539 --> 00:01:34.200 So he and his wife, they head for India. 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:40.459 And as I was reading his story this week, it struck me that it isn't a story of glitz and glam. 00:01:41.019 --> 00:01:44.379 It's a story of real suffering and tragedy. 00:01:44.379 --> 00:01:47.000 Economic hardship. 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:52.579 Visa problems mean they are forced to leave India and go and settle in Burma, 00:01:53.359 --> 00:02:00.099 where they spend 12 hours a day for three years learning the local language so they can communicate the gospel, 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:04.819 only to be met with relative indifference and hostility from the locals. 00:02:06.120 --> 00:02:09.199 Constantly battling sickness and disease. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:18.039 Treated with suspicion by the government, so much so that he is locked up for 17 months and tortured because they think he's a spy. 00:02:19.359 --> 00:02:24.199 And then only a few months after leaving prison, his wife, Anne, she dies. 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:32.079 And over a spell of about 40 years, 24, 24 of his relatives and close associates die, 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:34.479 including several of his children. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:41.019 What do you do in life when things don't turn out the way that you thought they would? 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:46.780 You know, we left a story in Exodus chapter 4 last week on a real high. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:55.459 We left Moses having left Midian heading back to Egypt because God in his grace has grabbed him, 00:02:56.099 --> 00:02:59.539 has revealed himself to him, and he sent him back to Egypt. 00:02:59.539 --> 00:03:05.859 And not only is God on Moses' side, but the Hebrew people, Moses gets back to Egypt, 00:03:05.979 --> 00:03:12.319 he tells them about what has happened in the desert, and they too worship God. 00:03:13.299 --> 00:03:16.439 Moses at this point is a man brimming with confidence. 00:03:17.539 --> 00:03:23.399 He's a man on a mission, and he gets back to Egypt, and he makes a beeline for Pharaoh's course. 00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:31.120 Now, you can picture him mounting the steps of the palace and so bravely demanding an audience with the king. 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:32.620 The king will hear him. 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:34.500 How's this one going to go? 00:03:35.640 --> 00:03:39.659 Well, let's read verses 1 to 9 of chapter 5 together. 00:03:39.659 --> 00:03:47.020 Afterward, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:50.639 This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says. 00:03:51.159 --> 00:03:56.960 Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness. 00:03:58.639 --> 00:03:59.539 Pharaoh said, 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:03.759 Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? 00:04:04.379 --> 00:04:08.379 I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:10.699 Then they said, 00:04:11.299 --> 00:04:13.379 The God of the Hebrews has met with us. 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:19.560 Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:22.620 or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:25.680 But the king of Egypt said, 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:30.319 Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:32.339 Get back to your work. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:34.600 Then Pharaoh said, 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:39.820 Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working. 00:04:41.260 --> 00:04:46.780 That same day, Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people. 00:04:47.780 --> 00:04:51.280 You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks. 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:54.080 Let them go and gather their own straw. 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:58.600 But require them to make the same number of bricks as before. 00:04:58.720 --> 00:04:59.780 Don't reduce the quota. 00:04:59.779 --> 00:05:01.699 They are lazy. 00:05:02.299 --> 00:05:04.000 That is why they are crying out, 00:05:04.099 --> 00:05:06.159 Let us go and sacrifice to our gods. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:10.639 Make the work harder for the people, 00:05:10.919 --> 00:05:15.500 so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies. 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:21.420 So it doesn't go well for Moses. 00:05:22.540 --> 00:05:25.180 Which, if we're honest, isn't massively surprising, 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:29.040 given the size of the task that he's asking from Pharaoh. 00:05:29.899 --> 00:05:33.120 I mean, he's asking Pharaoh to let an entire workforce go. 00:05:34.339 --> 00:05:37.600 And it's not just the request that's outrageous to Pharaoh. 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:40.639 The reasoning is absolutely ridiculous. 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:42.899 See, verse 2. 00:05:42.899 --> 00:05:44.579 Who is the Lord? 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:48.680 And because you've had the brass neck to ask Moses, 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:51.980 your people consider their workload heavier. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:56.199 Now, I remember I had this rugby teacher at school. 00:05:56.860 --> 00:05:59.740 He was absolutely notorious for his warm-ups. 00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:04.519 And his rule was that if you couldn't get yourself out to the pitch on time, 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:07.139 then it was extra laps of the pitch for you. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:09.920 And not just extra laps of the pitch for you, 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:11.920 but for the entire team. 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:14.220 And there was always that one boy. 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:18.100 And you saw the teacher eyeing up his watch, 00:06:18.200 --> 00:06:19.680 whistle getting closer to his mouth. 00:06:19.760 --> 00:06:20.600 You knew it was coming. 00:06:22.760 --> 00:06:24.920 Hated that boy for the rest of the session. 00:06:26.140 --> 00:06:30.560 Expletives aimed at him with every extra burpee and setup that was being demanded. 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:33.579 And that is what's going on here in Egypt. 00:06:34.780 --> 00:06:38.199 The whole group are suffering for the failing of one. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:41.420 Because of Moses' audacity, 00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:45.519 Pharaoh's work taskmasters are told to up the workload. 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:47.339 No straw. 00:06:47.799 --> 00:06:48.839 Same amount of bricks. 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:52.519 That is a pretty much impossible task. 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:55.799 And so the people of Israel go to Pharaoh and they ask him, 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:57.219 why are you doing this? 00:06:59.299 --> 00:07:00.740 To which Pharaoh replies, 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:03.199 blame Moses and Aaron. 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:08.680 Now we have to understand there that they have gone to public enemy number one 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:11.920 in the sight of everybody who's in Egypt here. 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:14.659 So do you see how that's working there? 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:17.259 In the space of 20 verses, 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:20.560 Moses has gone from hero to absolute zero. 00:07:21.719 --> 00:07:23.819 Now how is he feeling at this point? 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:26.560 Dejected. 00:07:28.139 --> 00:07:28.699 Disillusioned. 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:30.139 Despairing. 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:33.759 And all of these things are encapsulated in that word, 00:07:33.919 --> 00:07:34.339 why? 00:07:35.659 --> 00:07:37.199 See verse 22. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:37.939 What does he say? 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:39.399 Why, Lord, 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:41.360 why have you brought trouble on this people? 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:44.000 Is this why you sent me? 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:48.099 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:50.479 he has brought trouble on this people. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:55.279 And you have not rescued your people at all. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:59.240 So why, God, did you call me to do something? 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:01.680 Why did you call me back here 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:04.840 and then allow Pharaoh and the people to turn against me? 00:08:05.660 --> 00:08:08.360 I trusted what you said. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.480 Now, if you hear a few weeks ago, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:14.060 we said the question of chapters one and two is, 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:14.980 where is God? 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:17.939 The question of chapter five is, 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:19.819 why God? 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:21.400 Why God? 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:23.000 It's an identity question. 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:26.960 Now, do you see that Moses is subtly beginning to ask the question 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:28.599 that Pharaoh's asked? 00:08:29.039 --> 00:08:30.359 Who is this God? 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:33.879 I remember what Pharaoh said about what God had said, 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:35.019 that it was lies. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:38.960 That's what Moses is questioning in his head. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:46.920 So what do you do in your life when things don't turn out the way that you thought they would? 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:51.500 I had my first classes back at uni this week. 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:55.240 My church history lecture comes out with this line. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:56.840 He said, 00:08:56.899 --> 00:08:58.200 when it comes to church history, 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:00.320 great accent, 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:03.000 some of us are terribly guilty of hagiography. 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:06.240 Now, we all turned and looked at each other. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:07.580 Hagiography, are you kidding me? 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:09.240 I had to Google it under the table. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:12.100 Hagiography, do you know what it means? 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:15.559 It means you present somebody as if they had no faults. 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:21.139 This is the thing that I love about the Bible that convinces me of its truthfulness. 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:23.379 One of the things that convinced me of its truthfulness, 00:09:23.859 --> 00:09:26.339 that these writers are not into hagiography. 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:31.459 You know, we are so tempted to big up Moses, aren't we? 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:32.500 The Hollywood Moses. 00:09:33.459 --> 00:09:35.859 Like, William Wallace meets Winston Churchill. 00:09:36.019 --> 00:09:36.839 You know, that kind of Moses. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:42.339 And if anything, as we've got to know this guy over the past few weeks, 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:44.279 he is a moaning wimp. 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:46.360 And here he is, 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:49.419 as a man who is so easily rattled, 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:53.600 because he's a man with a very small view of God. 00:09:54.339 --> 00:09:58.399 And I find that immensely comforting and yet challenging. 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:01.819 Because I know my own heart. 00:10:02.459 --> 00:10:05.079 And I know how puny my faith is at times. 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:09.639 How easily stuff comes up that rattles me, that shakes me. 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:12.299 And here he is, 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:15.120 Is Moses a man just like us? 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:20.639 And in passing, I think that's the reason why that genealogy that comes up in these verses, 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.719 that's why that's here. 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:25.399 Just to show us that Moses and Aaron, they're just ordinary guys. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:28.019 With an ordinary family tree. 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:28.919 They're nothing special. 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:32.240 Moses asks, 00:10:32.579 --> 00:10:34.059 Why God? 00:10:35.059 --> 00:10:36.519 Now, have you ever been there in your life? 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:42.059 Well, notice in passing, where Moses takes his why. 00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:46.259 Moses takes his frustrations and his pain to God, 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.799 not away from God. 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:51.559 He takes it all to God in prayer. 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:59.479 Moses takes his why. 00:10:59.479 --> 00:11:00.819 To the sky. 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:06.959 How often, brothers and sisters, when we ask why, 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:10.059 we never bother to take it to God in prayer. 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:15.500 We complain about God instead of taking it to God. 00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:18.659 You know, Tim Keller writes this. 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:19.000 He says, 00:11:19.079 --> 00:11:25.879 To pray is to accept that we are and always will be wholly dependent on God for everything. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.539 If you want to see how that works, just read some of the Psalms. 00:11:31.099 --> 00:11:32.059 Full of questions. 00:11:32.839 --> 00:11:33.699 Why God? 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:35.379 How long, O Lord? 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:41.179 And I think the conclusion we're meant to draw is that God wants us to pour out our hearts to him. 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:44.039 I mean, this pain is real. 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:52.120 But what we must do is allow God's voice, his words, to speak into our questioning. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:56.939 And allow him to declare into our despair. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:12:00.539 Because here is the other thing to see here. 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:03.559 The question that Moses is asking is, 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:05.279 Why is this happening, God? 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:10.960 The question we'd always expect God to reply back to Moses is, 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:12.399 Why are you surprised? 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:17.860 Because the reality is that what's happening here is something that God's already told him about. 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:20.620 Chapter 3, 19. 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:23.679 The king of Egypt will not let you go. 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:26.220 Chapter 4, 21. 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:32.519 I will harden his heart so that he will not let my people go. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.860 Why are you surprised Moses? 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:38.580 Again, how true, friends, is that for us? 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:45.800 How often do we buy into the lie that because we put faith in Jesus that somehow this means we're immune from suffering? 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:51.620 You know, that stand that you made for Jesus at work, the values that you stood for, 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:57.159 that actually in the end got you in a lot more trouble and cost you a lot more than you thought it would? 00:12:57.159 --> 00:13:03.100 You know, God says in his word that through many trials we will inherit the kingdom of God. 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:10.399 That friend or colleague who you took that bold stand for Jesus, you told them the gospel, 00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:13.740 expecting a hug and a high five, what did you get? 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:15.740 You got anger and resentment. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:17.379 You got mocking. 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:23.139 Again, the Bible will tell us that the gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing. 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:28.320 Nowhere in this is God saying that life is going to be easy. 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:32.399 Why are you surprised Moses? 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:37.819 What I love about this section is that's not how God responds to Moses. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:43.899 He is gracious and he is patient with his stumbling servant. 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:46.559 What wonderful truths about God that we see in here. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:51.120 You know, Moses was on a massive high as we entered chapter four. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:55.439 Now he's on a massive low note as we end chapter five. 00:13:55.440 --> 00:14:03.960 What do you do in your life when God's called you to something and it doesn't turn out the way that you thought it would? 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:11.480 Well, the really important thing for us to see in this section isn't Moses' questioning. 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:14.560 It's how God answers Moses. 00:14:15.380 --> 00:14:17.140 So let's just read some verses. 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:20.960 Verses one to eight of chapter six that help us see this. 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:28.160 Then the Lord said to Moses, 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:33.200 Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:37.240 Because of my mighty hand, he will let them go. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:42.200 Because of my mighty hand, he will drive them out of his country. 00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:44.960 God also said to Moses, 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:47.500 I am the Lord. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:52.160 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty. 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:56.360 But by my name, the Lord, I did not make myself fully known to them. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:15:02.259 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:10.279 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving. 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:13.079 And I have remembered my covenant. 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:15.620 Therefore, say to the Israelites, 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:17.360 I am the Lord. 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:20.759 And I will bring them out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:24.980 I will free you from being slaves to them. 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:31.319 And I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:35.080 I will take you as my own people. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:37.220 And I will be your God. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:40.779 Then you will know that I am the Lord, your God, 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:43.379 who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:46.759 And I will bring you to the land. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:50.980 I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:54.939 I will give it to you as a possession. 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:57.200 I am the Lord. 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:02.159 So what is God's answer to Moses' question? 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:06.759 Do you notice here that God doesn't offer explanation? 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:10.100 God offers revelation. 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:13.080 Moses doesn't need therapy. 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:15.519 He needs theology. 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:19.100 God steps forward in grace, 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:22.539 and he declares himself into Moses' despair. 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:26.360 Now, my old lecturer at Cornhill, 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.679 he always used to tell this story. 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.659 I've told it in here before, 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:31.439 but preacher's prerogative and all that. 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:35.219 A story about a small Quaker hall down in Birmingham. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:38.059 And the land next door to them 00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:40.819 had just been bought over and developed by John Lewis. 00:16:42.099 --> 00:16:44.459 And John Lewis, they wanted to expand. 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.719 And so they wrote a letter 00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:48.819 to this tiny little Quaker congregation, 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:50.039 and it said this. 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.120 It said, 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.960 Dear sirs, 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:55.240 As part of our ongoing expansion work, 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.100 we would be grateful 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:59.220 if you could allow us to purchase your land. 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:01.759 Let us know what you decide. 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:04.000 You're sincerely, John Lewis. 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.900 A few days later, 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:10.000 a response arrived in the John Lewis boardroom that read, 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.400 Dear sirs, 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.519 thank you for your letter. 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.920 Subsequent to your offer, 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:17.660 we would in fact like to purchase your land. 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:20.359 Please let us know what you decide. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:24.419 Now you can imagine the mocking and the laughter 00:17:24.419 --> 00:17:26.039 as that was read out in the boardroom 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:29.019 until they saw the signature at the bottom. 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:30.759 It read, 00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:31.699 Yours sincerely, 00:17:32.219 --> 00:17:33.379 John Cadbury. 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.279 John Cadbury, 00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:38.299 the founder of the Cadbury's chocolate empire 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:42.559 and a member of this tiny Quaker congregation. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:48.740 Sometimes we need to be reminded of where the power really lies. 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:53.460 That is exactly what Moses needs reminded of here. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:56.319 In preparing on this passage this week, 00:17:56.379 --> 00:18:00.859 I'm convinced that this is why God allows him to experience this low moment, 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:04.419 to get him to see his utter hopelessness, 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:08.779 and to get him to see his utter dependence on this God. 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:12.240 God is saying to Moses here that his identity, 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:16.680 it shouldn't be in the way that he perceives things going on around him, 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:20.060 nor in the people who are walking alongside him, 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:22.840 nor in his own capabilities. 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:28.360 Moses' complete confidence needs to be 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:31.539 in what this God has said is true about himself. 00:18:33.699 --> 00:18:37.179 You know, these opening verses at chapter 6 that we read, 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:40.479 it's just God reaffirming his absolute dedication 00:18:40.479 --> 00:18:42.019 and determination 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:44.719 to do what he said he would do 00:18:44.719 --> 00:18:48.279 and to be who he has revealed himself to be. 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:52.699 And he does this through wedding language. 00:18:53.679 --> 00:18:55.079 I tried to stress it as we went through. 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:56.059 Maybe you picked up on it. 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:58.279 Now, any groom will tell you 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.539 that there's really only one line 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:01.099 that you need to remember on your wedding day. 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.599 I will. 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:05.799 I practiced it several times in the mirror before mine. 00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:06.319 I will. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:06.919 I will. 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:07.879 I will. 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.740 You want to get it right? 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:13.259 Because it is the language of commitment. 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:15.419 It's the language of love. 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:17.339 It's the language of intention. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.039 And see that God here, 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:23.619 he makes seven I will statements from verses 6 to 8. 00:19:23.679 --> 00:19:24.819 Just scan your eyes over them. 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:25.599 See if you can see them. 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.539 I will. 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:26.599 I will. 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.059 I will. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.440 I will. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:27.519 I will. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.559 I will. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.519 I will. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:31.519 I will. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:34.460 Bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.960 I will. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.940 Deliver you. 00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:39.980 I will. 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.899 Redeem you. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.500 I will. 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:44.059 Take you to be my people. 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:45.359 I will. 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.419 Be your God. 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.799 I will. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.039 Bring you to the land. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.500 I will. 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.359 I will. 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:51.619 Give it to you. 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.980 As a possession. 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:55.019 Bookended by. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:57.440 I am the Lord. 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.200 This is who I am. 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.799 Says God. 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:01.879 God. 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:04.879 A covenant keeping God. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:07.659 And this is what I am about to show you. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.399 Moses you don't need explanation. 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.680 You need revelation. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:16.419 That the power lies with God. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:18.240 Not with man. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.819 This is who God is. 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.779 And the question is. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:26.039 How do you respond to this God? 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:31.079 You'll notice that there's three responses to him in this passage. 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:32.879 Firstly. 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:38.160 Who is this God? 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:41.019 Who is this God? 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:43.819 Defiance and ignorance. 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.980 Now maybe you're here this morning. 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.920 And if truth be told. 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.460 If I pressed you on that question. 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:52.279 Pharaoh's answer is actually your answer. 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.799 You know. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.200 You might have seen it in the news this week. 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:55.940 Stephen Fry. 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.019 Coming out. 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.460 Nailing his colors to the mast. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.779 And what he believes about God. 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:03.000 A man who finds the goodness of God. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.420 A ridiculous statement. 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:08.460 Who is this God? 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.420 Well if that's you this morning. 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.819 Then can I encourage you. 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:15.160 Not to see yourself in this passage. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.200 As almighty Pharaoh. 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.200 Actually. 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.960 You are like Moses and the Egyptians in this story. 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:24.559 You are helpless to save yourself. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:29.539 You know the Bible would say that we are slaves to our sin. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:32.700 Our sin against this God. 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:36.759 But not only is God the offended party. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:40.640 But praise him that he is the gracious rescuer. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:43.580 True to his rescuing promise. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.700 God sent Jesus. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:47.080 To die for your sin on the cross. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:49.519 He died so that you could be forgiven. 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:52.279 He died so that you could be set free. 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:56.420 And you need to see that it is this God. 00:21:56.840 --> 00:21:59.640 Who is speaking to you this morning from the Bible. 00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:02.300 It is he alone that can save you. 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:08.120 Secondly see how the people of Israel respond at verse 9. 00:22:10.020 --> 00:22:12.820 So God at this point has specifically told Moses. 00:22:13.020 --> 00:22:14.860 To go and tell the people of Israel. 00:22:15.520 --> 00:22:17.040 What he's seen and what he's heard. 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:21.300 Because God knows what is on the minds of his people. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.960 He knows that they are doubting. 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:26.279 So go and tell them Moses. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:28.880 Go and tell them who I am. 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:31.980 Go and tell them that you have met with me. 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:36.100 Go and tell them that I know intimately their suffering. 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.759 So what does Moses do? 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.680 He goes and tells them. 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.000 And how did they respond? 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.680 Verse 9. 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:46.860 Moses reported this to the Israelites. 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:59.959 So here's a group of people who cannot get beyond the why. 00:23:01.439 --> 00:23:02.000 Fix. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:05.779 Fixated with how things look in front of their eyes. 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:08.619 Even though God is speaking to them. 00:23:09.219 --> 00:23:11.799 The God who later would call them his children. 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.959 They won't listen to him. 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:17.759 They cannot get beyond the why. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.960 And maybe that's a description of where you're at this morning. 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:24.079 You're stuck at why. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:28.779 Actually you're harboring bitterness towards God. 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:31.960 Because things didn't turn out the way that you thought they would. 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.279 Well if that's you this morning. 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:37.160 Then see the third response. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:40.240 What do you do in life. 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:42.539 When God's called you to do something. 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:45.139 And it doesn't turn out the way that you thought it would. 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:49.519 How is Moses going to respond to God. 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.960 Given everything that's happened. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:53.619 Is he going to take God at his words. 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:55.819 Or is he going to get stuck at the why. 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.000 Is he going to live by faith. 00:23:58.220 --> 00:24:00.759 And what God has told him is true about himself. 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:03.339 Or is he going to live by sight. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:08.200 You know Moses has been on an absolute roller coaster of emotions. 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:11.600 Started on a real high at the end of chapter 4. 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:14.720 Hits the real low of chapter 5. 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:19.200 And having encountered God once again. 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.799 He obeys. 00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:23.460 I trust you God. 00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:25.279 See verse 6 of chapter 7. 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:33.079 Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them. 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:38.220 You know given everything that we've just read previously. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.920 All the commotion. 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.099 All the anger. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.180 All the accusations. 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.779 All the questions. 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:47.000 There's a deliberate shortness. 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.440 And stillness. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.700 To that sentence. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:54.259 There's been a total transformation. 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:55.500 In Moses. 00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:55.920 Hasn't there? 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:59.039 He's moved from being a quivering wreck. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:01.220 To an obedient servant. 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:02.840 Now we have to ask. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.759 What's caused that change in Moses? 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:08.340 Because his circumstances haven't changed. 00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:11.519 Pharaoh's still saying no at this point. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.799 The people. 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.640 They're still very much against him. 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:16.680 And he's still the same Moses. 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.660 Failings and all. 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:19.800 So what's changed? 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.680 Well he's changed. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:25.700 Because he's encountered this God. 00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:27.980 The speaking God. 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.840 The all powerful God. 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:33.220 And you see how the word of God has molded his mind. 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:38.200 Because remember he hasn't yet experienced God as deliverer or rescuer. 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:42.920 But he's trusting and he's walking in what God has said. 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:46.160 That God is who he says he is. 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:49.279 And that the power lies with God. 00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:50.480 Not with man. 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:52.980 He trusts and he walks. 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.580 And if you're a Christian here this morning. 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:59.320 What a wonderful example of what it means to live by faith and not by sight. 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:05.120 And how much more should we be people who live by faith and not by sight. 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:09.639 Because not only do we know how this Exodus story ends up. 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:15.659 But we're privy to the great and greater rescue that God won for his people through Christ. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:21.819 Jesus we have him as our perfect example of what it means to entrust himself. 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:25.559 He entrusted himself to God who judges justly says Peter. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:29.819 You know Moses didn't know that God would deliver his people. 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:34.240 But we do know as we look at Christ and what he accomplished for us on the cross. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:38.220 We can trust this God. 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:41.759 That he is sovereign and that he is in control. 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:44.720 That he is who he says he is. 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:47.079 And we can take him at his words. 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:52.180 And we need to allow this truth to define our reality. 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:54.779 To shape our lives. 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:58.440 To get us beyond the whys of life. 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:02.319 That the power lies with God and not with us. 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:08.359 And we have to allow God to declare himself into our despair. 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:12.279 Let's finish with Mr. Judson again. 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:15.359 I loved reading about him this week. 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:19.799 You know despite everything that went on in his life that we looked at at the beginning. 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:23.019 He keeps telling the Burmese people about Jesus. 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:27.759 And he keeps translating the Bible into their language. 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:30.059 And when he died. 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:32.440 Finished his translation. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.980 A hundred churches had been planted. 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:38.619 Eight thousand Burmese people had given their lives to Jesus Christ. 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:43.980 His translation of the Bible is still used in what is Myanmar today. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:48.279 And his spiritual legacy continues to bear fruit. 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:52.240 This is what the head of the Myanmar Evangelical Fellowship said. 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:57.759 He said today there are six million Christians in Myanmar. 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.700 Incredible. 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.960 Six million Christians. 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:04.559 And every single one of us trace our heritage to one man. 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.220 Mr. Judson. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:12.460 What do you do in life when God calls you to do something. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:15.880 And it doesn't turn out the way that you thought it was going to turn out. 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.799 Said these words. 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:29.440 Oh slow of heart to believe and trust in the constant presence and overruling agency of our almighty Savior. 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.599 What a wonderful quote. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:34.779 Here is a man who has suffered greatly. 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:40.720 Yet he flourished because he had an overwhelmingly massive view of who God is. 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:45.480 A man who allowed God to declare into his despair. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:51.059 And a man with a testimony that the power doesn't lie with us. 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:53.299 It doesn't lie with how it looks on the outside. 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:56.059 But the power lies with God. 00:28:57.319 --> 00:29:00.099 We will leave this morning with Moses back on his feet. 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:07.140 Next week we'll see how round one proper of this royal battle between him and Pharaoh is going to pan out. 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.140 Let's pray. 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:20.240 Lord God we are so incredibly grateful for this time that we've had together this morning. 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:22.520 Gazing at your grandeur. 00:29:23.600 --> 00:29:28.640 And Father I pray that you would help us this week to be people who listen to your voice. 00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:31.860 And who allow you to transform us. 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:33.180 To mold us. 00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:33.960 To lead us. 00:29:34.060 --> 00:29:35.120 To define us. 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:37.959 So Lord I help us. 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:43.039 I pray that you would help us this week to be people who live by faith and not by sight. 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:47.419 Father that we would see Jesus high and lifted up in our own lives. 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:51.139 And so it's in his worthy and conquering name we pray. 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:52.259 Amen. 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.519 John.