Sunday, January 16, 2011

Genesis 50-Exodus 4

As the Genesis story ends with the death of Jacob, Joseph reminds us that God's ways are higher than our ways.  His brothers fear that he harbors ill will toward them, but he speaks God's truth, "what you meant for evil, God used for good."  We are reminded that while evil exists in and around us, it cannot divert God from his eternal plan.....he loves us relentlessly and the day will come when evil will be vanquished and we will all reside in the land of milk and honey, eternally.


Exodus is the story of Moses and God's deliverance for the nation of Israel.  Just a couple of observations: little is said about Shiprah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives, but many sermons could be preached about their courage in the face of powerful, evil forces.  In the shadow of Pharaoh, they refused to obey commands to kill baby boys in peril of their very lives.  We should be so brave and so resolute in our obedience to what we know to be God's will.

Moses deliverance and preservation from the waters of the Nile are reminescent of God's deliverence of Mankind from the flood.  Delivered from destruction in an ark.  Delivered to preserve God's preferred future for mankind.  Out of destruction, saved from the flood, preserving our future.

God speaks out of the whirlwind, in a still small voice and for Moses out of a bush that was on fire but was not consumed by the fire.  It was "Holy Ground".  Any place where God is found is holy ground.  Have you noticed on the 1st Sunday of the month how some of our congregation come to the communion table without their shoes.....like Moses before them, they have recognized a sacred place.... "Holy Ground".  Watch for it....maybe you too will find a place where God speaks to you.

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