Training for Life - Pt 7

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus 3:1-6 ESV).

We have returned to our reading from yesterday to see another principle that is often overlooked. The last verse reads: And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God (v. 6). While the Chinese proverb shown in the illustration today is undated and of unknown origin, it teaches a very common principle found throughout the Scripture. Greatness should not be measured in sheer strength or superiority to others, but by one’s ability to bow down to others with modesty and compassion. During the years while he lived in Midian, Moses often had to learn and practice humility. Back in Egypt he had acquired knowledge and power. Then in Midian, where he spent forty years as a foreigner and a shepherd, he realized that there were many times when he wasn’t in control of his situation and he didn’t know as much as he thought he knew. The forty years God placed Moses in Midian was not wasted time. Though he may have felt like a failure, wasting his time and previous training, God was still preparing him for the greatest work of his life. The work of tending sheep taught Moses more than humility. Sheep need shepherds to lead them to green pastures and quiet waters. They need shepherds to separate aggressive sheep from timid sheep, ward off predators, and keep strays from wandering. Moses learned how to do these things for his sheep in preparation for having to do them for God’s people. Israel would need someone to lead them in a way that directed their attention to God. That’s humble leadership. Israel would also need someone who could lead them to food, water, and safety, and who could gather them when they wandered. That’s capable leadership. I wonder how often you may have felt the same as Moses? I wonder if you have felt that life had passed you by and the lost opportunities had closed the door on your effectiveness? Nothing could be further from the truth. As long as we draw a breath in this world, we are being trained for each opportunity yet on the horizon! Thank God for that training and commit yourself to a life of humble service.