Two steps forward, one step back…

      Yet, on to victory!

 Have you ever survived a drawn out struggle? Or perhaps this is where you find yourself now.

 Julia was a fit young climber and sports teacher. She gazed up at the rugged mountain, her teenage class around her, as the sun broke through a blanket of billowing white clouds.

 “Do we have to climb that, miss?”

 “Yes, Emma, it may be tough, but it's worth it—I recommend you turn around and take in the scenery. It’s beautiful, but from the summit, we’ll see the ocean and a 360-degree panorama of the entire island. It will take you breath away. Are we ready?”

 They trudged up the steep incline, pocked with pebbles and rocks that slithered under their feet.

 Bump! Julia slipped, twisted sideways and landed on her butt. A few feet down the slope, a granite boulder loomed. She angled her feet and braced for the impact. Her feet hit the rock, and she crumpled, slamming her knee into her forehead.

 The group huddled around Julia. "Ooh! Are you okay, Miss?” 

Julia nodded, seeing stars before her eyes. She had to stay alert with ten teenagers to supervise.

“Yes, I’ll be fine, Emma, once I catch my breath. She rubbed her forehead and blinked. "You’ve seen for yourselves just how slippery it is. We've all got to watch our step if we’re going to enjoy that view at the summit. One slip won’t stop me. Come on, let's get going!" And she scrambled to her feet. 

 Since Adam and Eve left Eden, obstacles and problems have interrupted the human experience.  In Moses' experiences, Pharaoh waylaid the Israelites ten times, and God had rebuked him. Yet, he would not relent.

 Each refusal felt like a slap in the face to Moses and his people. If God could have softened Pharaoh’s heart at the outset, why didn’t he? Through Moses and Aaron, God issued Pharaoh with one last dire warning, preparing the Israelites for the impact and their immediate departure from Egypt. 

God spoke to Moses. “Find a perfect lamb from your flock. Care for it, and on the fourteenth day, slaughter it, and paint the blood on the doorframe of your house. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and your firstborn will be spared my wrath. Roast the lamb in the fire and eat it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread.”

 In every Egyptian household, death reigned over the firstborn, from Pharaoh to the least of his citizens. Loud wailing rang throughout Egypt, and Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron.

 “Up, leave Egypt, you and every Israelite, take the last of your livestock, and BLESS ME!”

 Although Pharaoh never intended to follow Israel’s God, he craved relief, but God has showered his purest blessings on his worshippers and mercy on anyone who repents. In Egypt, the locals handed gold, silver, and clothing to the Israelites, and they journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. At night, God led them by a pillar of fire, and a cloud by day until they camped at the Red Sea. They looked up and 600 of Pharaoh’s chariots were pounding through the desert toward them. Had Moses failed them again?

“What have you done? If we’d died in Egypt, that would have been better than in the desert.”

Moses relied on the Lord, knowing this onslaught belonged to God’s plan.

“Stand firm and watch God rescue you. While he fights your battle, you can stand still.”

Success lies with God in his time.

That night, Moses raised his hand over the sea. God restrained the water with a mighty east wind, and the Israelites walked on dry land across the ocean floor. The Egyptians pursued them with their chariots. As dawn arose, the wheels fell off their chariots, and they fled. The sea folded over them, and they perished. God had rescued his people because Moses had been the Lord God’s humble and faithful servant.  Pharaoh could have relented and saved his soldiers, himself and his people. His stubborn pride led to their death, but through this victory for Israel, both the Israelites and Egyptians realized the God of Israel is the great I AM. He rules the universe. Let's bow to him before it is too late. 

Why did Moses become such a great leader?

 Pharaoh and Moses were two leaders with opposing world views. At the outset, Pharaoh believed he was the supreme ruler, a god living on earth. He demanded power to enhance his kingdom, and he expected Israel’s God to bow to him. Pride prevented him from submission, at the expense of his nation and the life of his firstborn son.

As a young man, Moses believed he could and should rescue his people. He killed an Egyptian who assaulted an Israelite slave. Despite this righteous cause, he was not ready to lead the nation. God sent him into the desert for forty years to learn patience by gathering wandering sheep. He developed survival skills in the desert and spent lonely, starlit nights with God. Humbled, God kept training him even while he met with Pharaoh. He needed utter dependence on God and eventually led Israel from Egypt and through the desert for forty years.

Jesus taught his disciples to be humble by word and example. “The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

He also lived with humility, serving the people through miracles of compassion and love. Jesus lived among humanity to show us his Heavenly Father, whom he served with perfect obedience, even to death. God raised him and we've been redeemed if we've trusted in his grace and mercy. The essence of Jesus' humility as a man lay in his relationship with God. He did whatever God told him to do. He was a leader who lived to serve. He faced battles because he walked with God, who has wanted this relationship for everyone ever since he created humanity. He continues to seek us. Will you come to him today? His way is not easy, but it is best, and he rewards those who diligently seek him.

 Next episode, while we explore Moses’ friendship with God, we will discover the blessings he enjoyed while walking closely with his Creator. This is the reward and experience of God's beloved people. Is this your wish, too?