Moses' Rise to Greatness

​Moses.  So far, his life has been one epic drama, full of highs and lows.  However, all these things were molding him into the man God needed him to be for the task ahead.  And eventually, when he was completely following the Lord and carrying out his mission, Moses rose to greatness among all the people, Egyptian and Israelite alike.

​Do you remember the last time we took a close look at Moses?  What was he doing?  He was complaining to God and asking to give up.  He was discouraged, disheartened, and doubting his calling.  But God reminded him why he was there and gave him the courage to keep going.  And Moses did.
 
From that point on, Moses walked forward without looking back.  He trusted God’s word and carried out His instructions without question and with great courage.  The plagues were not popular among the Egyptians, and since the Israelites experienced the first three, they didn’t enjoy them either.  But that didn’t stop Moses.  He continued on with great authority and faith. 
 
But Moses’ transition from a discouraged, ready-to-give-up leader to the greatest man in Egypt didn’t happen overnight.  It was a process.  A process of faith as he obeyed God’s word and saw Him come through time after time.  A process of growing in his love for his people and embracing as his own his God-given mission as the deliverer of Israel. 
 
Remember back at the burning bush when Moses was complaining about his lack of speaking ability and God eventually allowed Aaron, his brother, to be the spokesman?  Have you ever worked through a middle man?  It’s kind of annoying and cumbersome.  Sometimes the wording doesn’t get translated perfectly or he doesn’t say exactly what you thought he should.  It’s also one more place for communication to break down, which is why God never intended it to be a two man job.  But that’s what Moses wanted…at first. 
 
However, through the journey of the ten plagues, we see Moses transitioning into his rightful role as leader and advocate for Israel.  At the beginning, Aaron was doing all the talking and all the work, but by the fourth plague, Moses stepped up to the plate.  He began doing the talking to Pharaoh and performing the miracles, so that by the tenth plague, his reputation had spread far and wide.  He became a household name in Egypt as Exodus 11:3b states:

“Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.”

​But what was the secret to Moses’ greatness?  How could he be considered great among both his people and his enemies?
 
The answer is simple.  He did amazing things, by the power of God.  But to me, more amazing than the fact that through him God brought the ten plagues, is that at Moses’ word God stopped them.
 
Think about that…
 
God the all-powerful, sovereign One, who can do whatever He pleases, chose to listen to Moses’ requests.  Amazing!  While Moses wasn’t in charge, his prayers did carry weight with God.  When he asked for a plague to be removed, God did it, even though He knew that Pharaoh wouldn’t stick to his word. 
 
But why would God listen to Moses?  The answer to that question lies in the simple truth that Moses and the LORD shared a powerful, personal relationship.  They were in it together and were unified in their desire to see the people of Israel go free.  Their relationship was unique, and it made for a powerful combination.
 
So what’s our take-a-way from this?  What can we learn?  Personal, intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe is a game changer.  All the great men and women in the Bible had a deep personal relationship with the Lord.  So if we want to aspire to greatness and want God to do amazing things through us, we should whole-heartedly pursue the Lord first and cultivate a meaningful relationship with Him.  Then who knows what God can and will do through us?!  

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.”
~Matthew 6:33

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​Your turn:  what are some things/methods you’ve found helpful in developing, cultivating, and maintaining intimate relationship with the Lord?