Good Morning.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. (Exodus 14:21-22)
Why did God direct Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea? Most likely it was so that those who saw this would connect this action to what transpired afterward — the strong east wind and the parting of the sea. In other words, God wanted the people to see that He was the One, through His servant Moses, who was leading them to safety. Through one action, God would be magnified in the eyes of the people and, simultaneously, His chosen servant would be acknowledged.
Later at Mount Sinai, another dramatic demonstration would accomplish the same objective: the Almighty would come down on top of the mountain and be exalted in the eyes of the people. At the same time, the one He had chosen to be His representative to the people would be validated before them. Thus He told Moses, “And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever” (Exodus 19:9). In both cases, God is glorified through a demonstration of His power and He identifies the one He chooses to lead His people.
From the very beginning of time, it is clear God chooses to work through His people. It is also very clear that He chooses specific people for specific purposes. That is not to say the people are special per se as much as it is to say that have a chosen to do something special. When it is clear that someone has such a calling, it is imperative for others to honor God by respecting His servant. God wanted Israel to realize that, through Moses, He was speaking to them as well as leading them through a difficult situation. It was their responsibility to hear him and believe him.
For Moses — and all who have been chosen for a special purpose — it was necessary that he understand the importance of representing the Almighty in the proper way before the people because God is no respecter of persons. Furthermore, it behooves us to recall that Moses was not allowed to go into the land of Canaan because he did not sanctify God in the eyes of the people when he struck the rock a second time in anger.
The point today is to remember that, as God’s people, we must recognize the order He has established in the Body and respect that order. Some people are chosen for missions that garner a lot of attention and carry a lot of responsibility. Some are chosen for a purpose that will never attract the world’s attention but may, in fact, impact the entire world. In other words, whatever He has chosen someone to do should be respected by all because it is God’s will. Furthermore, each of us has the obligation to fulfill our purpose and walk it out in such a way that God is glorified in the eyes of those we engage. In all things, may we always sanctify His great Name in the earth.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments