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The Deliverer a Humble Shepherd, July 3
God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses.
And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes
from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Exodus 3:4, 5
.
The time for Israel’s deliverance had come. But God’s purpose was to be
accomplished in a manner to pour contempt on human pride. The deliverer was to
go forth as a humble shepherd, with only a rod in his hand; but God would make
that rod the symbol of His power. Leading his flocks one day near Horeb, “the
mountain of God,” Moses saw a bush in flames.... A voice from out of the flame
called him by name. With trembling lips he answered, “Here am I.” He was warned
not to approach irreverently....
Humility and reverence should characterize the deportment of all who come
into the presence of God. In the name of Jesus we may come before Him with
confidence, but we must not approach Him with the boldness of presumption, as
though He were on a level with ourselves. There are those who address the great and
all-powerful and holy God, who dwelleth in light unapproachable, as they would
address an equal, or even an inferior. There are those who conduct themselves in His
house as they would not presume to do in the audience chamber of an earthly ruler.
These should remember that they are in His sight whom seraphim adore, before
whom angels veil their faces. God is greatly to be reverenced; all who truly realize
His presence will bow in humility before Him....
As Moses waited in reverent awe before God the words continued: “... Come
now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my
people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”
Amazed and terrified at the command, Moses drew back.... Moses saw before
him difficulties that seemed insurmountable. What proof could he give his people
that God had indeed sent him? ... Evidence that appealed to his own senses was
now given. He was told to cast his rod upon the ground. As he did so, “it became a
serpent; and Moses fled from before it.” He was commanded to seize it, and in his
hand it became a rod.... The Lord assured Moses that His own people, as well as
Pharaoh, should be convinced that One mightier than the king of Egypt was manifest
among them....
God blessed his ready obedience, and he became eloquent, hopeful, self-
possessed, and well fitted for the greatest work ever given to man. This is an
example of what God does to strengthen the character of those who trust Him
fully and give themselves unreservedly to His commands (
Patriarchs and Prophets,
251-255
).
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