This week I was at a day-long orientation for the School of Ministry, and the speaker (quoting from something a pastor once told her) told us: “Don’t think you have to take notes on everything a speaker says. It’s more important to listen. Write something down when the Holy Spirit tells you the something you need to hear.”
On Sunday, during Pastor Greg’s message, I remembered that advice, and here’s what the Holy Spirit prompted me to take note of when Moses asked the Lord to “Please send someone else.” If you’ll recall, “the Lord’s anger burned against Moses” when He heard Moses’ excuses. But instead of continuing to be angry, the Lord already had a plan in motion. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite?” God asks. “I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you.”
How often do we try to “go it alone”? I know I do. I don’t want to trouble someone else. Inconvenience them; depend on them. Be in their debt. But here in this story, God brings a brother. Moses hadn’t even asked for help. Or thought of asking. He had left his family long ago when he went to live in Pharoah’s court. I can only imagine that he thought he would never see any of them again.
But God has other plans. He knows the value of two walking together; the power of the “three-fold cord.” Now, the brothers are about to be re-united. And I love what God says next about this union he is creating. “I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.” Oh, my!
Do you have anyone in your life who knows you so well that they can finish your sentences? Is there anyone who calls you back when you’re about to step over the line? Who challenges you to be more like Jesus, and continually invites you to His table to break bread?
Moses and Aaron – and their sister Miriam – will have their ups and downs in the Lower Story. But I think we see the true meaning of ‘community’ coming into focus as the Exodus unfolds.
And that’s what the Holy Spirit told me to write down.
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