SOAP = Scripture Observation Application Prayer
S: Exodus 2:1-10 - “The Pieces of the Puzzle”
O: These 10 verses amaze me. The Israelites (Hebrews) are being oppressed by brutal Egyptian slave drivers. The king of Egypt (Pharaoh) even orders all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. Enter a Hebrew woman who has a baby and hides him in a reed basket in the Nile River.
Pharaoh’s daughter sees the baby, takes him, and even pays “one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby” (vs. 7). The woman, ironically, was the boy’s mom! The Princess then adopts the baby and names him Moses. He gets the best education, food, and training money can buy. And then, decades later he becomes Israel’s deliverer. Go figure!
A: All this made me think about God’s timing and our timing. In our 4G world it’s hard to process what God does in Exodus. The Hebrews are in slavery. They cry out to God. God’s promises them something better. They wait.
A baby is born. He’s adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. He grows up. He kills someone. He runs away. He leads a quiet life. God speaks to him in a burning bush. He makes excuses. God patiently prods. He finally accepts the call. More delays.
Decades later the Hebrews are still en route…yet the puzzle pieces are being put together. Slowly. Methodically. Exoduses and Promised Lands don’t happen overnight. What a great reminder for me/you. Things may seem “pokey” but God’s at work. He sees the finished puzzle. He’s moving the pieces (us) into place at His pace. My/our response needs to be one of trust.
P: Father, you are the Grand Orchestrator. Your plans prevail. Point me in the direction you want me to go. Take me like you took Moses and use me for your purposes. Use me to put the next puzzle piece in place. Amen!
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Posted on
Tue, October 11, 2011
by Phil Print