And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Deuteronomy 34:10-12
Moses was used by God in a mighty way. His life was miraculously spared by God as a baby in the bulrushes of the Nile. His family defied a king's edict by keeping him alive. He was miraculously prepared by God, both by being brought up in the household of the king of Egypt, and by fleeing to forty years of wilderness shepherding as a nomad in the desert. His life was uniquely empowered by God. When he was called to lead Israel at the burning bush, God gifted him supernaturally and that power God gave to him followed him right to the end of his days.
The text here eulogizes Moses with three quick statements. They describe his unique ministry and life. First he was was known by God "face to face". God has a very personal relationship with Moses. At least twice on Sinai Moses had these encounters where he conversed with God in His very presence as the hand of God wrote the law of God for Israel. Moses' habit was to regularly enter "the tent of meeting" to talk with God and discern His will.
The second unique characteristic of Moses had to do with the power of God displayed through Moses to Egypt. No prophet ever had a more powerful and unique relationship with a superpower of human government. And God used Moses to teach the world a lesson in God's sovereignty over human nations, people groups, and individuals.
The third unique fact about Moses had to do with that same power of God displayed by God through Moses to Israel. Moses helped birth a covenant nation... a people still unique to the heart of God. And Moses still has his ministry beating at the heart of Judaism to this very day.
I learn a lot from the faith lessons and the leadership lessons in the life of Moses. Finishing up a time in the Pentateuch has been instructive. And really the impact of God's use of Moses still reaches my heart today. That is a powerful story of the work of God that will continue impacting generations. What a testament to the life that will hear God, respond to God, and let himself be used by God! That's what Moses did, and really, that is the challenge for me as well.
- Posted with my iPad. The Apple Kool-Aide tastes fine.
No comments:
Post a Comment