Exodus 3:16

Exodus 3:16

“Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob, has appeared to me saying, “I have given heed to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt.” ‘ “

    
     Well, this is a powerful way to start a 3:16 study.  Genesis 3:16 talked about our relationship to God, our “position” and now in Exodus 3:16 Moses is learning his position.  Chapter three begins with the burning bush scene and ends with the promise of plunder from the Egyptians when the Hebrews leave Egypt.  God reveals his divine name, the “I AM” to Moses in verses 13-15 and then in verse 16 says “assemble the elders of Israel and tell them that “I AM” has sent you….”

       Oh, so let me get this straight…..Moses was to be his messenger, his errand boy?  No, his official, spoken representative, “the suit” ?

His Ambassador. 

He shows his credentials…”tell them the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has sent you….”  Moses speaks  - and the leaders will listen.

WOW!

   But chapter 4 begins Moses conversation with God about his lack of skills, his doubts, his general unworthiness, in other words FEAR!  Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight”. 

     I have felt this kind of fear.  Not “afraid” or “scared”, but the weight of responsibility.  The knowledge that the job is big and I am small.  The wondering how it can turn out ok.  The obvious possibility that this situation could take a number of turns that I don’t know how I will handle. 

     This kind of fear is the beginning of faith.  Not uncertainty but HOPE.  The beginning of trusting in the one who makes the paths and knows the future.  He knows how it will “turn out”.

    Furthermore, obedience is expected.  My actions are necessary; my responsibility level just went up! The reward isn’t just the plunder of Egypt, that’s too simple.  (If I do what God asks he rewards me.)  The true reward is that peace that only faith can give.  The knowledge that obedience is the real reward.  

 

Genesis 3:16

     Genesis 3:16 "To the woman he said, 'I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.' "

     Wow! I was surprised that the very first verse was directed to women.  This is just like God to show such respect to women and give to them the same priority and attention that he gives to men.   Jesus was born of an earthly, normal, human woman,  women are listed in his genealogy, women followed him and believed in him, women wept for him at the cross and they were first to the empty tomb. Women were counted among the  believers in the upper room and helped fund and support the first century church. Women have always been close to the heart of Jesus. 

     God is aware of our particular differences and needs as women.  That is why this verse is a curse and a comfort.  It is of course, the result of the sin and fall of mankind.  Any women who has given birth to a baby knows that the birthing process is only the beginning of the price we pay for love.  Our lives are marked by the pain of sacrifice, both physical and emotional.  A sacrifice that is not always appreciated.  

   As women, we find ourselves in situations that can only be handled by a women, a mother, a sister, grandmother or aunt. Being "ruled over" has its curses and blessings.  We are to consider what others need first and still find protection (many times from ourselves) in the loving arms of a good husband. As women, we set the "tone" in our home.  We are the music playing. 

    This verse talks mostly about a positional relationship.  As women, we are not beneath men only to be subservient, slaves or property.  We are not lower, just in a different position.  We have a different place in the home then men. I could never be a father to my children and a man could never be a proper mother.  But this relationship is spiritual as well as physical.  We are equal but different.  We are in a position of love and authority by God and our husbands.  So the curse is a blessing also.  It is God's order of things while the earth is still in this fallen, broken state.  

    This positional gives us great spiritual confidence.  We have the same love and affection from our Lord.  We prays for us, watches over us and provides for us....the big question is...do we trust that.......

  
 

Verse of the Day

Proverbs 9:10 "To be wise you must first have reverence for the LORD. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding." (GNT)

Planting Blueberries

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Watch this blog this weekend for my latest adventure in "yard farming"  LOL