On Page 92 Moses is having a dialog with God. I can’t imagine what that would be like today with all the craziness that is going on in this world. And frankly I probably would be as reluctant as Moses to follow God’s instructions based on my inability to to perform up to God’s standards. Which, of course, are my own imposed standards that make me feel inadequate or not up to the task. But in this case, God used Aaron to be the speaker in Mose’s stead. This reassures me that God really knows what’s best for me and He will make a way for me to accomplish His will. If I listen and really understand His will. Which is not always crystal clear. The real wonder is that Moses actually could have a dialog with God and hear exactly the words God spoke and have a clear understanding of the steps that God wanted him to take to free the Israelites.
Imagine how Moses would have felt being told by God “Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh and your brother Aaron will be your prophet…” and “I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.” (Pg 93) Then God proceeded to use Moses and Aaron as his instrument to show Pharaoh “...you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth. By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth. But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth”.
No wonder the Egyptians had become favorable toward Moses and the Israelites. I think I would have been very upset about all the hardship and loss the Egyptians faced through all the plagues. Especially knowing that Pharaoh was the one bringing it all upon them. (Can we see a parallel with what is going on in our government today? And feeling hopeless to do anything about it. Leaving our elected officials to do the right thing and having no control over what that is). But the final straw came when God instituted the instructions for the Lord’s Passover. “Remember these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever…. Then your children will ask, “What does this ceremony mean? And you will reply, “It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.” (Pg 102). Now I understand better why the Passover celebration is still being celebrated today. It was a huge deal to the Israelites and their descendants!
Be blessed!