1.25.25 ~ Ready to Rescue
Good morning!
Here in Utila, we had a little break in the rain for about six hours, but the rain has come back again today, to add to the beauty of this Shabbat morning (Isa. 55:10,11)!
Over the past week, we have been looking at family and relational abuse through the story of the Exodus (Ex. 1 – 11). We have concluded that there are three groups of people involved in every act of abuse. There’s a perpetrator, a victim, and the bystander who either becomes a savior or a perpetrator by their choice, but they can’t remain neutral.
Yesterday‘s study may have been the most pivotal one yet. And hopefully on this beautiful Shabbat morning we can follow up with something that’s practical for all of our relationships.
The question that we all face is, “am I willing to take on the role to rescue somebody out of their abuse“? The answer to that question is determined by my personal mindset, “Do I have the capabilities, the skill set, the tools in my tool bag to make it happen“ (Gal. 6:1-4)? Am I willing to invest my time"? "Do I really care" (1 Cor. 12:25).
This week we are studying the Torah portion Vaera (Ex. 6:2–9:35). Within our study this morning, I want to focus on Moses and his uncircumcised lips (Ex. 6:12,30)
"And Moses spoke before the Lord saying, 'behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me, how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips. (Ex. 6:12)
This is the same conundrum that we all face when it comes to taking on a savior role in the lives of anybody experiencing abuse. And like myself too often, Moses doubts his calling again. Just like last week we hear Moses downing his ability to do what God has called him to do. He doesn’t believe he can persuade either pharaoh or the Israelites to trust in his God-given authority; despite God‘s assurances and promises of deliverance.
Why does he hesitate? Why do I hesitate? Why do we? The answer is the same: It's due to perceived inadequacies in our ability to be the mouthpiece of God, questioning his capability to effectively convey God‘s instructions, commands and demands into the life of another (Gal. 1:10). Hence, he describes the condition as being one of uncircumcised lips (A condition that stems from other areas of life that are uncircumcised: as a tree/a disciple (Lev. 19:23), our heart (Lev. 26:41; Jer. 9:26), our flesh (Gen. 17; Eze. 44:7-9), our ears (Acts 7:51)).
However, God reaffirmed Moses' role and provided him reassurance stating that Aaron would act as his spokesperson. He told Moses that even though pharaoh might resist, despite witnessing his miraculous signs, the ultimate goal was to show God’s unlimited power, ensuring the recognition of his sovereignty by both the Egyptians and the Israelite (Ex. 9:14). Ultimately, success wasn’t dependent upon Moses. God could have wiped the enemy off the face of the earth with the breath of His nostrils, but He chose to use a savior figure to rescue men from their abuse; He was only a tool in the hands of the king of the universe.
On this Sabbath day, as you reflect on the goodness of the Lord, may your confidence in Him grow so you can be the vessel He desires to use to rescue the captive!
Shabbat shalom!
Over the past week, we have been looking at family and relational abuse through the story of the Exodus (Ex. 1 – 11). We have concluded that there are three groups of people involved in every act of abuse. There’s a perpetrator, a victim, and the bystander who either becomes a savior or a perpetrator by their choice, but they can’t remain neutral.
Yesterday‘s study may have been the most pivotal one yet. And hopefully on this beautiful Shabbat morning we can follow up with something that’s practical for all of our relationships.
The question that we all face is, “am I willing to take on the role to rescue somebody out of their abuse“? The answer to that question is determined by my personal mindset, “Do I have the capabilities, the skill set, the tools in my tool bag to make it happen“ (Gal. 6:1-4)? Am I willing to invest my time"? "Do I really care" (1 Cor. 12:25).
This week we are studying the Torah portion Vaera (Ex. 6:2–9:35). Within our study this morning, I want to focus on Moses and his uncircumcised lips (Ex. 6:12,30)
"And Moses spoke before the Lord saying, 'behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me, how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips. (Ex. 6:12)
This is the same conundrum that we all face when it comes to taking on a savior role in the lives of anybody experiencing abuse. And like myself too often, Moses doubts his calling again. Just like last week we hear Moses downing his ability to do what God has called him to do. He doesn’t believe he can persuade either pharaoh or the Israelites to trust in his God-given authority; despite God‘s assurances and promises of deliverance.
Why does he hesitate? Why do I hesitate? Why do we? The answer is the same: It's due to perceived inadequacies in our ability to be the mouthpiece of God, questioning his capability to effectively convey God‘s instructions, commands and demands into the life of another (Gal. 1:10). Hence, he describes the condition as being one of uncircumcised lips (A condition that stems from other areas of life that are uncircumcised: as a tree/a disciple (Lev. 19:23), our heart (Lev. 26:41; Jer. 9:26), our flesh (Gen. 17; Eze. 44:7-9), our ears (Acts 7:51)).
However, God reaffirmed Moses' role and provided him reassurance stating that Aaron would act as his spokesperson. He told Moses that even though pharaoh might resist, despite witnessing his miraculous signs, the ultimate goal was to show God’s unlimited power, ensuring the recognition of his sovereignty by both the Egyptians and the Israelite (Ex. 9:14). Ultimately, success wasn’t dependent upon Moses. God could have wiped the enemy off the face of the earth with the breath of His nostrils, but He chose to use a savior figure to rescue men from their abuse; He was only a tool in the hands of the king of the universe.
On this Sabbath day, as you reflect on the goodness of the Lord, may your confidence in Him grow so you can be the vessel He desires to use to rescue the captive!
Shabbat shalom!
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