WHO AM I? (EXODUS 3:1-12)

 

WHO AM I?

BIBLE PASSAGE: EXODUS 3:1-12

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

Lesson ideas taken from: https://www.blueletterbible.org/

JANUARY 03, 2021

 

LESSON MEMORY VERSE

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

EXODUS 3:11

 

INTRODUCTION:

Before we continue our lesson, I will give you a summary of why I became part of Sunday School ministry particularly in kid’s department. In my early years of being a Christian I had the desire to enter the Bible Seminary so when the pastor’s wife told me to lead the kid’s department, I didn’t hesitate because I saw it as the starting point of entering the seminary, but honestly, I had the fear of not leading the ministry properly. Few months of leading was really stressful; I had a poor leadership. I was diligent but that was not enough; the teachers didn’t respect my authority. Then meeting came, I was demoted to become an assistant, and I accepted the changes because I saw my inadequacy. The emotions it brought, and the hardships were hard on those times. That role came to my hands after months or years, don’t remember anymore. After a year or two, new leaders were appointed and again the ministry was not assigned to me. That was fine because if the authority sees it for the better then that’s okay. I became an ordinary teacher and submitted to the new authority. After a year, the leadership was given to me again. Years passed and the experiences in the ministry helped me to become equipped. I didn’t say I have no room for suggestions and input knowledge. In fact, I haven’t been good, only by God’s grace why we still here. I know someday, I need to let go of this ministry and move on to another level where God wants me to. Why I said this, our theme for this month is about commitment and I know some of us have hesitations in entering the ministry. Your decision is important and like what I always say, the ministry you plan to enter is a great privilege. Someday it will be hard for you to enter the ministry and so today, it’s a great opportunity. Have you noticed why others want to enter the ministry but they’re having a hard time? For example, in kid’s department, this ministry is a great opportunity and why because when you get older, it will be hard for you to go on the field and teach kids because of time and physical problems. Therefore, while you’re young and have the ability grab it. This opportunity wouldn’t be available anymore after so many years. And to the existing teachers, don’t put in mind that you need to take for a rest in teaching, another term for this is hiatus. Let’s wait for God to level you up.  So today I know you already have an idea about our lesson – it’s about MOSES.

 

LESSON BACKGROUND:

In Egypt, the Israelites “were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them”—and “there arose a new king over Egypt, who didn’t know Joseph” (1:7-8). Seeing that the Israelites were growing strong, the king oppressed them and tried to enlist midwives to kill male Hebrew babies (1:15). The mother of baby Moses hid Moses in a basket in the bulrushes, and he was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, who raised him in the palace (2:1-10).

When Moses grew up, he sympathized with his people, who were suffering under their taskmasters. When he saw an Egyptian mistreating some of the Israelites, Moses killed the Egyptian. Then he fled to Midian to escape punishment (2:11-22). There he married Zipporah, the daughter of a priest of Midian, who bore him a son (2:21-22).

And then we read these momentous words: “It happened in the course of those many days, that the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the children of Israel, and God was concerned about them” (Exodus 2:23-25). We will hear echoes of these words in verse 7 below.

In verses 1-6, Moses was keeping the flock – minding his business. God called him through a burning bush. God wanted Israelites to be freed from bondage. Then when God gave His instructions, Moses replied “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

Do you relate with this response? We know some of us have this kind of response and for sure we already have said this response in other areas of our lives.  Why Moses said, “WHO AM I?”

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  REFLECTS MOSES’ UNDERSTANDING OF HIS MODEST RESOURCES AND THE MAGNITUDE OF THE TASK (EXODUS 3:11).

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

 

When you say “modest” in this particular sentence, it means “limited in size” and the word “magnitude” means great size or extent. Have you considered in making commitment the limited resources and the great size of the task? Yes, we normally think about that.  Moses was called by God when he was eighty years old. Why he said this, “Who am I”? Let’s go back before this calling. Forty years earlier, he was extremely good-looking (‘proper child’-Heb.11:23, ‘exceeding fair & nourished up” – Acts 7:20, ‘goodly child’ – Exo.2:2), he was well-educated (Acts 7:22-23), “And Moses was learned in all ^athe wisdom of the Egyptians, and was ^bmighty in words and in deeds”.  And when he was full forty years old, ^cit came into his heart ^dto visit his brethren the children of Israel., and he felt a divine commission. Of these characterics, you would be confident enough but why he said, “Who am I?”. Yes, he was raised in the palace, but that was long ago. He killed an Egyptian and fled for his life. He has been living anonymously in a foreign land for many years. He has become a simple shepherd. His next forty years spent as a nothing shepherd. From being in line to the throne of Egypt to herding sheep. What a come down. It was really excellent training in the wilderness shepherding sheep. For he was to lead God's sheep forty years in this wilderness. He went from a self-centered, self-sufficient person to a "Who Am I?" How can a shepherd negotiate with Pharaoh?

His self-image pretty shattered.

Ø  “Who am I?” - No ability vs. 11.

Ø  “What shalt I say unto them” - No message vs. 13.

Ø  “They will not believe me nor hearken my voice” - No authority vs. 4:1.

Ø  “I am not eloquent-slow in speech & tongue” - No eloquence vs. 4:10.

Ø  “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else” - No desire vs. 4:13.

Do you relate to this excuses? They are normal excuses, right? We usually hear these excuses? God responded to every one of these excuses w/ His perfect solution, His perfect plan, & His perfect wisdom. So, whatever excuse you’re going to throw at God today WHEN – NOT IF – He calls is flimsy, flawed, & will fall apart when it comes up against God’s perfect plan for your life. May as well go ahead & realize right now that you’re not going to win that debate w/ the Almighty Creator of the Universe who is calling you into an eternal relationship w/ Himself, & into a lifetime of obedient service to Him. We may be understood by our love ones and friends for not committing to the ministry but in God, we can’t give our excuses; He knows everything.

I know you have experiences like this regarding this matter. DO you know the feeling that it is understandable that you wouldn’t commit but if you feel deep down in your heart, there’s something troubling you, right? You’re trying to convince yourself that this is the right decision. Like what this lesson implies, whatever excuses or reasons you have, you wouldn’t win the debate with the Lord.

2.  REFLECTS OF MOSES’ RECOLLECTION OF HIS EARLIER ATTEMPT TO HELP THE ISRAELITES (EXODUS 2:11-15).

 

Moses had gone out one day among his brethren he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew. He looked this way and that way and saw no man and slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (2:11). The sentence, “Moses looked this way and that way and saw no man”, is something we need to see; he did not look up. What lesson we’ll get in here? He was man-conscious not God- conscious. Moses smote the Egyptian and killed him. He then attempted to bury him in the sand. He knew his purpose and mission but he was attempting in the energy of the flesh to do the work of God. He could not successfully bury one Egyptian. God desired to bury their whole army. We know for sure that he was taught and oriented by his mother to the task but he had committed himself to a task, not to God. Sometimes we have this spiritual condition wherein we become weary of the calls to commitment to church, programs but let’s put in mind that we need to be committed to Christ.

Back to the story, the next day when he went to break up a fight between two Hebrews, the identity crisis began. The two fighting Israelites said, “Who made you to be ruler over us?" These words shattered him. He saw the plan of God so clearly, he thought the Israelites all knew. Let’s read Acts 7:25, “For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not”. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.  Moses was shocked and afraid then he fled.

If you have failed, the tendency is to resist the call of God.  Moses says, "WHO AM I?"  What Moses does not realize is that, he is just like the burning bush.  There are thousands of bushes, but what makes the burning bush so special is that God is in it. And do you know what makes you so special to God?  It is that He is in you.  If you do not recognize that it is God in you that makes all the difference you will come up what sounds like such good excuses for not serving God. 

What lesson do you see? If you fail in the first attempt, it doesn’t mean that the task is not God’s will, maybe because God’s presence is not there. That’s the reason why Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” because we will fail if we do it unto men.

3.  EXPRESSES HIS UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WOEFUL INADEQUACY (EXODUS 4:13).

And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

Moses was conscious of his failure, this helped to now qualify him. Of the excuses beside from the character of Moses, others will include:

·         Gideon (Judges 6:15) -  And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

·         Saul (1 Samuel 9:21) - And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

·         and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6) - Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

Do you see? Gideon, Saul and Jeremiah had excuses too? These excuses were not enough. God knows everything and He can put everything into place; He is in control. Back to Moses, we see that he had many objections (see also 3:13; 4:1, 10, 13) and his final plea will be simply, “O Lord, please send someone else” (4:13). In tagalog, “SA IBA NA LaNG LORD”. I hope these excuses Moses made makes you realize your stand and situation in the ministry. Don’t wait for the time that your strength fails before you realize your purpose.

“(Yahweh) said, ‘Certainly I will be with you'” (v. 12a). This is the answer to Moses’ objection. It doesn’t really matter who Moses is, because Yahweh will enable Moses to work by Yahweh’s power. Yahweh will be there with Moses, and Yahweh will not let Moses fail. This shows of “Not self-reliance, God-reliance”, “Not my strength, ability, wisdom”. When God said, "I will be with you”, He is capable to do any work He has called you to perform. WHO AM I doesn’t really matter, it is WHO GOD IS that counts.

 

CONLUSION:

One of my best verses I have read so far in the Bible is in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “Faithful is He that calleth you; He also will do it (He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it)”.

When Moses said I can’t do it, God said because of me, yes you can.

Whatever circumstance that you see that stands before you, it's not too big for our Big God. He is calling you to do something great for him, what is your answer going to be? I am not strong enough? I am not wise enough? Or is your answer going to be, God I know you are faithful, and I will do as you ask.

But also, we need to be careful not to think that we can do it without God’s help. The psalmist also writes,

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

You have the power, but it is not your own. As a Christian, you have the power of God living inside of you. That same power that lives in you, raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Will you use it? Will you decide to live a life of power that has been given to you through your relationship with Jesus Christ, or will you simply, stand back and let life pass you by.

WHERE WERE YOU?

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August 12, 2018

BIBLE PASSAGE: JOB 38: 1-41

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Peter 4:12 (KJV) 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: Explanations and some words were taken from: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/job-the-revelation-of-god-in-suffering

INTRODUCTION:

When we are asked if we’ll continue serving the Lord despite struggles, it’s easy for us to respond “YES, AMEN” but it’s easy saying it rather than doing-especially if we weren’t in that situation. How can you go on or press on if you think your sufferings are greater than you could imagine?

Have we experienced losing our love ones not just one but many? Have we experienced losing our jobs and nothing to sustain? Have we experienced losing our other sources of income like businesses? Have we experienced losing a good relationship with our spouse or any family members? Have we experienced losing our strength and now in pain because of sickness?

If we have this kind of situation is it considered okay that we utter questions to God like “Why Lord?”?  Is it normal for us to be disheartened and lose hope in a situation like this? Let’s see in our lesson for today titled, “WHERE WERE YOU?”

Our lesson is taken from Job chapters 38 -42. We know what happened to Job. Job had been lying in unrelieved misery for months with open sores all over his body. During this time, he bore the grief of seven dead sons and three dead daughters. All his wealth had vanished in one afternoon. He had become repulsive to his wife, loathsome to his brothers, and even little children despised him as he lay on the ash heap outside of town.

At first, Job bore these calamities with amazing submission: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord . . . Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil?"

But as the misery drug out over the months, Job wavered in his confidence that God was for him. In defending himself against the bad theology of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, he said things about God that was not true. He began to insist on his own righteousness at the expense of God's justice.

During our sufferings, sometimes we say, “What have I done wrong? I have served God all of my life” and you started questioning God’s ways. This is what happened to Job; pride grew in his heart.

How can we press on if we are bearing great burdens and trials? In our lessons, let’s consider what were the questions asked to Job by the Lord when he was in pain.

LESSON OUTLINE

       1.     WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I LAID THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH? (JOB 38:4)

In verse 3 of chapter 38 God said, “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me”

In 38:4–7 God focuses on the earth: "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." You weren't there, Job, and you don't know how I did it.

In 38:8–11 God focuses on the sea: "Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth as if it had issued out of the womb?" It was I, Job, I set its limits, not you. You weren't there, and you don't know how I did it.

In 38:12–15 the Lord focuses on the dawn: "Has thou commanded the morning since thy days and caused the dayspring to know his place?" You never did it. You can't do it. You don't know how to do it. I have always done it. I always will.

In 38:16–18 God focuses on the depth and breadth of the sea and land. Job, you have never even been to the bottom of the ocean or around the world. And you think you know enough to argue with God.

I remember my first time flying in an airplane, I was so amazed by the beauty above the clouds and our recent flight, our third time flying internationally, I was still amazed and thankful to God. I always have reflections every time I see the creation above. You see yourself very little compare to the hands of the Lord upon His creation. What I have seen was just a glimpse of God’s knowledge and how about if you’ll see the whole world. How all things go into place. All you could say there’s SOMEONE who controls everything. KNOWING GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING GIVES YOU THE COURAGE TO PRESS ON!

We can see in this lesson that if your situations make you doubt God’s ways and control and these hinder you from the press on just look at God's knowledge of everything.

2.    WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I CREATED THE DWELLING PLACES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS? (JOB 38:19)

Then in the last half of chapter 38 God takes his focus off the world below and turns it to the world above.

First, in verses 19–21 he queries Job about the origin of light and dark: "Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof," You don't know where it is or how to get there. But I do, Job. I made the light.

Then, in verses 22–30 (paraphrased) God asks him about snow and hail and rain and frost: Do you know anything about how to store up hail for the day of battle? Would you know how to cut a channel in the sky to make it rain on a land where no man is?

Or lift your eyes even higher, Job, (verses 31–33) and look at the constellations: Pleiades, Orion, Mazzaroth, the Bear! "Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?"

If not, come back down then and we will just talk about the rain again (verses 34–38). (paraphrased) Can you make it rain? Do you know how to whistle for the lightning so it comes and says, "Here we are!"? Can you count the clouds with your wisdom? Or do my earthly pastimes stretch your mind a bit too far?

So, whether we focus on the earth or the sea or the dawn or the snow or hail or constellations or rain, the upshot is that Job is ignorant and impotent. He doesn't know where they came from. He doesn't know how to make them work. He is surrounded, above and below, by mysteries. And so are we, because the scientific advancements of the last two hundred years are like sand-pails of saltwater hauled from the ocean of God's wisdom and dumped in a hole on the beach while the tide is rising. God is not impressed. And we should be overwhelmed with our ignorance, not impressed with science.

Last 2016, our 2^nd trip internationally, I was sitting on a porch in my sister’s house then I heard something falling, it sounded like small stones or pebbles. I was puzzled and called my sister and she shouted “hail,” she hurriedly opened her car and parked in the garage.  Then I said to myself “oh I see, that’s hail.” Our recent trip, I was checking my mother’s garden and I noticed something on the grass; I asked my sister and she said those were frost. After a few days, my mother called us to see the snow. Those were just simple experiences, but those are learning. Another thing is their time changes every season. I think one of the reasons why they’re workaholic is there sunset and sunrise. I live in the Philippines where the sun sets early (5:00 -6:00pm) but there, it sets 9:00 – 9:30 pm in spring and summer. That’s why they can have more jobs and they can do the mowing after work because their eyes see that’s still daytime and have plenty of time to work.

Those simple experiences make me think of God’s knowledge.  I couldn’t imagine and contain in my mind the knowledge of God on how he controls the different seasons and weather in different countries. I remember the verse in Psalm 139:6 “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” YOUR REALIZATION ABOUT GOD’S KNOWLEDGE GIVES YOU THE HEART TO TRUST HIM AND PRESS ON!!!

       3.     WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I PROVIDE SHELTER AND FOOD FOR ANIMALS? (JOB 38:39)

Then come the queries about the world of animals.

In 38:39–41 God asks who Job thinks provides lions and birds with their food? "Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God and wander about for lack of food?" I do, Job—all over the world. Can you do that?

Or consider the birth of the young (39:1–4). "Do you know when the mountain goats bring forth? Do you observe the calving of the hinds?" Think of it, Job! I am on top of all these things. Every wild deer in northern Minnesota that gives birth—I am there. Every mountain goat in Switzerland and Nepal—when they bring forth, I am there; I know their months. I care for the young.

Think of it, Job! When a man sees a work of God, like your suffering, can he see its connection to ten thousand other realities in the world like I can? If not, how will he dare to judge its wisdom!

Consider the wild ass (39:5–8). "Who has let the wild ass go free?" Do you think there are wild and unpredictable creatures in the world, Job? Guess what? I set them loose. I give them a wilderness for running and the mountain for pasture. They are the work of my hands. Things are quite in order! And you have nothing to do with it.

And so, it goes. The wild ox (39:9–12): you don't know how to bind him or use him. He is mine.

The unwise ostrich (39:13–18): she walks away from her eggs; she treats her young cruelly. Who made her forget wisdom? I did, Job. Even the foolish things are by design. Ostriches and Minnesota mosquitoes and black flies. I govern them all by perfect design.

Of course, not all animals are foolish and useless. Take the war horse (39:19–25), for example. "Do you give him his might? Do you clothe his neck with strength?" You don't know how to do it, Job. I am the only one who does.

Finally, Job, (39:26–30) "Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and spreads his wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high?"

No! Whether we consider the prey of lions, the birth of mountain goats, the freedom of the wild ass, the insubordination of the wild ox, the stupidity of the ostrich, the might of the warhorse, or the flight of the hawk and eagle, the upshot is the same: Job is ignorant and impotent. He did not make them. He does not know how to control them. He cannot see what they are doing. And yet this ignorant Job presumed to question the ways of God!

In my sister’s place there are animals which I can only see in pictures; there are deer, different turtles, birds, raccoons, moles, geese, squirrel, skunk, buzzard and many more. One time, we saw a dead deer along the side of the road and my sister informed us that most of the time the deer is hit by the car that’s why there are warning signs posted. I don’t usually care about deer or any animals but there’s one time our brother-in-law informed us that there was a deed fawn (young deer) in our front yard. Of course, we need to get the fawn out of there. When I saw the fawn, I felt pity for that animal; I saw many buzzards eating the fawn. We tried to sweep away the buzzards and got the fawn out of the way.  One thing that makes me realize is the buzzards, they eat dead animals. There are animals need to die for them to be fed.

I know some of us here experienced trials and problems and at first, we didn’t know the reasons why we suffered those but along the way of our journey, God allows you to see the good out of bad things. Like the animals, God can see the details in their lives. He can see everything happens in each of us therefore if something happens to you, don’t think God allows it to just hurt you; this is to make you better. Also, don’t be surprised if you face trials like what mentioned in our memory verse.

 1 Peter 4:12-13 (KJV)

¹² Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

¹³ But rejoice, since ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

KNOWING THAT YOU ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS MAKES YOU TO PRESS ON!

CONCLUSION:

Job 42:1-6 King James Version (KJV)

42 Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

² I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

³ Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

⁴ Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

⁵ I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

6       Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.

,We can see in verses 1-2 on how Job submits to God's absolute sovereignty. In verses 3-4 He submits to God's infinitely greater wisdom and knowledge: he has spoken about things of which he is very ignorant. In verse 4-6, he again quotes God and made his own response. In verse 5, the words “but now mine eye sees” caught my attention; he now saw what God wanted him to see during trials. Therefore, it’s important to have spiritual discernment. And the most important, in verse 6, Job repented.