From Milquetoast to Moses ∙

From Milquetoast to Moses ∙

By faith [Moses] endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. – Hebrews 11:27

Hebrews 11:24-29

 24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.

 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.

 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

 29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

Timidity is defined as having a lack of courage or confidence. Those who are timid lack self-assurance and fortitude. They are easily alarmed and go on alert. They are often characterized by self-doubt and the fear of what might happen.

“The timid are afraid before the danger, the cowardly while in danger, and the courageous after danger” (Jean Paul).

“History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid” (Dwight D. Eisenhower).

And yet the Father chose Moses to become one of the most outstanding leaders of all time.

Numbers 12:3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more humble than any other person on earth.

The Hebrew word translated as meek or humble is anav. Anav has the basic sense of being stooped low, bent over, and needy, with the added notion of a lowly and modest mind, which prefers to bear injuries rather than return them. The Targum Palestine has bowed down in his mind, i.e., overwhelmed (pulpit commentary) or plagued (Luther).

Moses was Mr. Casper Milquetoast, incarnate, a timid soul, “the man who speaks softly and gets hit with a big stick.” Think Barney Fife (Don Knox) rather than Charlton Heston.

Moses became a man of faith and a great leader. How? At the outset, he rose up and killed an Egyptian, and things immediately went from bad to worse. He experienced tremendous humiliation and defeat and wound up in the wilderness.

The wilderness is the Father’s school for testing, preparation, and refinement. Moses undoubtedly experienced great discouragement and disillusionment. What motivated his actions as he faced the challenges of life? He had more excellent opportunities than most people could ever imagine. His heart was forever captured when he encountered the Father at Sinai. The Father spoke words of assurance, commitment, and purpose into his heart.

Moses lacked confidence, and his first words after the Father told him what He wanted him to do were filled with recoiling self-doubt, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)

Moses offered many excuses as to why he was a poor choice.

Exodus 4:10 Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

The Father used Moses just as he was, filled with doubt and lacking confidence. Does that hit a little close to home? The Father uses folks just like us.

Despite it all, Moses eventually was used by God to free the Israelites from Pharaoh’s control just like the Lord had promised. By faith. . . he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible (NLT).

Moses overcame Pharaoh by believing that the Father would keep His promises.

Exodus 4:11-12

 11 Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD?

 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

“When we trust God, we get what God can do; but when we trust ourselves, we get only what weak people can do” (Wiersbe).

REFLECT & PRAY

Whatever the Father asks us to do, He will enable us to do as we keep our eyes on Him and depend upon His strength and guidance.

Isaiah 46:11 I have said what I would do, and I will do it. I have planned it, surely I will do it.

Father I see a lot of the worst of Moses in me. Encourage me to walk by faith and trust You.

INSIGHT

Life is fleeting. Wisdom is learning to hear the Father’s voice and make the best choices based on what He says.

“The Bible acknowledges that there is some pleasure in sin, even though it quickly passes. And there is some affliction in godliness, even though that quickly passes. Yet the reward for godliness far outstrips any pleasure in sin” (Stanley).

Of course, it goes without saying that all pleasures are not sin.

1 Timothy 6:17 God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.

But at the same time, many impulses and cravings result in sin. Often our yearnings and desires are an emotional response to what we see, taste, or otherwise experience. Using the conscious mind, we can take these impulses or random thoughts and desires captive and resist them (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Hebrews 11:25 [Moses] choose to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

“Moses chose the imperishable, saw the invisible, and did the impossible” (Havner).

“The decisions we make today will determine the rewards tomorrow. More than this, our decisions should be motivated by the expectation of receiving rewards . . . The Epistle to the Hebrews emphasizes: ‘Don’t live for what the world will promise you today! Live for what God has promised you in the future’” (Wiersbe)!

Hebrews 12:2 Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Safety is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God, the Father.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 8-27-2

© Dr. H 2022