MONTH LY PRAYER MESSAGE
unburdening and renewal
by Rev. Thomas E. Steele
W E WANT TO LIFT OUt for yOU tWO important functions of prayer which in themselves make it a vital part of every believer’s life. For our text we turn to Exodus 5:22, 23: “And Moses returned unto the Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil en treated this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.” This may seem like a rather strange theme, and perhaps a rather extreme prayer on the part of this fledgling leader of God’s people, but I want you to see some interesting truths here that have a very important bearing on our 20th century living. Moses had endured a very bitter ex perience. He had, after forty years in the palace of Pharaoh, repudiated all the learning and position afforded him there, choosing, according to the book of Hebrews, to “suffer affliction” with the people of Israel. Then, repudiated by his own people because he sought to do a right thing (that is, to deliver Israel) in a wrong way, he was sent to the back side of the desert where he became a sheepherder for a man of a different background and over a flock which he did not own. It was here that he received his call from the Lord to return to Egypt, as
a spokesman for Jehovah, and announce to Pharaoh God’s demand for the re lease of the Israelites. After some per suasion, Moses was convinced and sur rendered his heart to the will of God. Upon arriving in Egypt, Moses and Aaron met with the leaders of the Is raelites and presented the plan for their deliverance. Then they went before Pharaoh and announced, “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go” (Ex. 5:1). Whereupon Pharaoh asked, “Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice?” (Ex. 5:2). Thinking that the people were plan ning insurrection because they weren’t working hard enough, he increased the burden of their work, called in their leaders and beat them, and ordered Moses and Aaron off the premises. Thus he delivered a crushing blow to the enthusiasm which Moses had felt for his task. Bruised and tom in spirit, Moses, now eighty years old, possessed of a re luctant call to service, fell before the Lord to unburden his heart. Now, we do not excuse the things which Moses said; however this account is carried in the Word of God in order to teach us that God is understanding, and that He is deeply concerned with both our needs and the attitudes of our hearts. (continued on next page)
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker