Exodus 4:18-26 God is looking for men and women who will go toe to toe with the devil
Exodus 4:18-26 God is looking for men and women who will go toe to toe with the devil
18 Then Moses departed and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please, let me go, that I may return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” 19 Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” 20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.
21 The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’”
24 Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet, and she said, “You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me.” 26 So He let him alone. At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood” — because of the circumcision.
Background
Moses return to Egypt with a divine mandate to declare war against Egypt. In so doing, Moses went toe to toe with the Egyptian war machine, the agent of darkness. Unless the Pharaoh release Israel, God’s firstborn son, God will kill his firstborn. For no one can hinder God’s children from serving Him. Ironically, Moses was found hindering his own son from serving God when he refused to circumcise him. Today’s devotion teaches us: God is looking for men and women who will go toe to toe with the devil.
Observation
Then Moses departed and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please, let me go, that I may return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.”
Moses returns to seek Jethro’s blessing to visit his kinsmen. “See if they are still alive” is a Hebrew way of enquiring the general welfare of a person. When Moses returns to Egypt, he is neither the adopted son of the Egyptian princess, nor a fugitive, but as the prophet of Israel seeking their release.
The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go…”
The manifestation of “the wonders” anticipates the resistance of Pharaoh. “I will harden his heart” does not mean God actively causing Pharaoh to resist the divine edict. But rather God will no longer stand in the way of Pharaoh’s rebellion. For God has given Pharaoh over to evil and has left him to his own devices.
The apostle Paul made similar expressions pertaining to God’s attitude towards the intransigent, “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts… For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions… God gave them over to a depraved mind…“ (see Romans 1:24, 26, 28b). That said, is it possible for the God of infinite love and patience to give up on people? No, certainly not! But rather God in His infinite wisdom has determined that such have crossed the point of no return making it impossible for them to repent.
Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My son, My firstborn.
Moses was tasked to warn Pharaoh of Israel’s standing before God, “Israel is My son, My firstborn.” And the consequence of not letting His firstborn son, Israel, go and serve God is death to Pharaoh’s own firstborn son. By that, Moses crossed the redline having declared war against Egypt.
Ironically, Moses was found resisting the very same edict he was about to deliver to Pharaoh. Even as he committed himself to deliver God’s firstborn son, Israel so that they may serve God… By not circumcising his own son, he selfishly shielded his son from the conflicts while hindering his own son from serving God. For this reason, God was not pleased with Moses and sought to kill him. For God had commanded all Hebrews to bring up their sons according to the Abrahamic covenant and to serve Him. The Abrahamic covenant requires God’s people to walk in His ways while bringing His salvation to the nations. Failure to uphold this command as sacrosanct will result in severe or even fatal consequences. Zipporah taking the lead to circumcise the child was an indication that Moses was incapacitated, probably under attack. Zipporah’s action immediately resulted in the release of Moses. So serious was the offense, it nearly cost Moses his life.
Truth
God will do whatever it takes to deliver His people from oppression.
God’s very words, “… but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn” reflects His jealous and possessive attitude towards His people (see Exodus 20:5). Indeed, He will do whatever it takes until His children are freed. In this case, He will kill the firstborn son of the oppressor. In the course of deliverance, the forces of heaven and hell clash in an epic battle. Although the battle belongs to the Lord and victory is certain, the actual battle must still be fought. In the case of Moses, the battle fought through the plagues gave the Pharaoh ample opportunities to relent. But when he hardened himself continually, the angel of death was sent to kill the firstborn of every Egyptian. Only then, the Israelites were released. Even then, the Pharaoh changed his mind shortly after releasing them intending to massacre them at the beach of the Red Sea. It was here, that the Pharaoh’s army was swallowed up by the Red Sea. Indeed, it is through courage and perseverance that victory is realised. Many believers give up because they cannot see immediate results. If believers will persevere in battle, we will in due time see breakthrough and obtain our justice.
God is looking for men and women who will go toe to toe with the devil.
Believers must not hold back.
That said, why are so many believers still trapped in the clasp of oppression unable to break free? Is God unable or unwilling to deliver? Surely not. The Lord said by the words of Isaiah,
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.” – Isaiah 59:1.
God is looking for men and women who are willing to go toe to toe with the devil, to break his agents until the people are freed. Unless such men and women rise up and go all the way, God’s people will remain oppressed. Moses went all the way to declare war with the Pharaoh. Jesus went all the way, even unto death on the cross to break the devil’s stronghold. Many today who serve in some form of deliverance ministry wonder why they cannot heal insomnia, autism or certain diseases. Some wonder why they cannot deliver families in their midst from incessant conflicts, bondages and adulterous affairs. On closer examination, the ministers themselves harbour selfish ambitions while being driven by personal agendas. They are not willing to risk their standing with the people by confronting their unrighteous ways. As a result, God cannot use them to tear down the strongholds that reside in established denominations and organisations.
What are these evil strongholds?
Strongholds reside in age-old beliefs and stifling cultures embraced by the communities themselves. For example, certain cultures deprive women from inheritances. They vilify women relegating them to menial and domestic tasks. And many more were oppressed by unscrupulous rich people and dictators.
There are also strongholds in the form of false doctrines imported by popular culture. The surgence of worldliness in the churches propagated by “hyper grace” teachings. Such replace the goal of Christ-likeness with the prospects of blessing and salvation. Even mainstream churches are not spared from the waves of legalism and political ambition. Such churches are founded on doctrinal correctness having lost the desire to encounter God in the spirit. And the incessant wranglings within their ranks close off their minds from fresh revelations of heaven. They unwittingly cast out the prophets that God has sent to deliver the people from oppression. Jesus rebuked the Jews in His days, “Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and it was your fathers who killed them.” – Luke 11:47.
Why it took so long for Israel to be delivered?
One reason why it took 400 years for Moses to emerge is the scarcity of willing and suitable candidates. For most are concern only for their own welfare and are unwilling to lay down their lives to serve others. But Moses is willing to cross the redline by prophesying death to the Pharaoh’s firstborn should he refuse to release the people. That said, one does not need to be in “full-time” ministry to obtain the prophetic anointing. Moses himself was an activist, a politician, Daniel was a governor, and David was a soldier. However, one who aspires to be a prophet must be discipled by a minister who is apostolic or who possesses the prophetic anointing. God is willing to use all in their respective vocations to become His prophet.
The command to bring up a child in the ways of God is sacrosanct.
God’s intent to kill Moses revealed the dire consequence of excluding one’s children from God’s covenant of faith. Indeed, every parent is bound by a sacrosanct duty to bring up their children in the covenant of faith. Failing to do so will incur God’s displeasure. But obedience to God in this aspect will bring unprecedented blessings. The bible speaks of the blessing of raising a child in the fear of God,
Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also delight your soul. – Proverbs 29:17
“All your sons will be taught of the Lord;
And the well-being of your sons will be great. – Isaiah 54:13
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord. – Psalms 128:3-4
Many in the church today will not lead their family to serve the Lord. Because their minds are fixed on blessing and salvation, not Christ-likeness. While they attend the church’s weekly service, they discourage their children from going all the way to serve God. Such will certainly incur God’s displeasure and will not experience the promise of Abraham.
Application
Are you under oppression and wondering if God has given up on you? Oppressions include bullying in the family, workplace and community. They include stifling cultures and gender bias. Declare war on the devil by keeping yourself free from unrighteousness, do not take revenge or ingratiate yourself to men. Jesus was telling the people to persevere in doing what is right and to trust in God. For He will bring about justice for you quickly (see Luke 18:1-8).
Do you tend to take the easy road and refrain from standing in anyone’s way. You have a fear of trouble and will do all to stay out of conflicts. If you want God to use you as a prophet to make a difference in the world, you must stand on God’s side even though there may be dangers. Learn to stand up for the truth by fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves. When you go toe to toe against the devil, do not be afraid for God will protect you and empower you as He did for Moses.
Are you doing all to train your child in the ways of God by setting a right example? God judges a parent and a leader by the way he/she leads a child. Make it your goal to sanctify your attitudes and personal habits. Children may not believe what you say. But they will most definitely be inspired by your attitude and actions.
Dear Lord, I believe that you will do whatever it takes to free me from my current oppressions. Strengthen me to stand firm in righteousness and to persevere in putting my trust in you. Cause me to rise up with courage and to go all the way in battle against the agents of darkness. Give me wisdom to raise up my children and disciples according to the ways of God. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.