Soli Deo Gloria.
The Glory of God Alone.
It’s what I was reminded of this morning as I read through these chapters. Earlier, in chapter 3 God revealed himself to Moses in the burning bush and when Moses asked who he should say sent him, God replies, “I AM WHO I AM“. Yahweh. This is what it refers to whenever we see his name spelled LORD.
In the ESV Study Note for that particular verse (3:14): The divine name Yahweh has suggested to scholars a range of likely nuances meaning:
- that God is self-existent and therefore not depending on anything else for his own existence.
- that God is the creator and sustainer of all that exists.
- that God is immutable (unchanging) in his being and character and thus is not in the process of becoming something different from what he is.
- that God is eternal in his existence.
Today, as I read chapters 4-7 in light of this, I was reminded that the Lord does all things for the glory of his name. These chapters aren’t about Moses and what he accomplished. These chapters are about how the Lord made himself known. And he makes himself known that he would be glorified, praised and worshipped. One thing that struck me is when he called Moses into service and instructed him, the response was always ‘But Moses said’. We see it in 4:1 after the Lord had laid out the plan for Moses at the end of chapter 3. We see it in 4:10 after God turned the staff into a snake and back into a staff, then turned Moses’ hand white then back to normal. Again in 4:13, and another form of this in 5:22, 6:12, and lastly in 6:30.
What was God’s response? Did he hold Moses’ hand and tell him “Oh dear Moses you can do this. Remember, you are enough”? Did he beg Moses to trust him? Did he offer more information and explanation to Moses to completely put him at ease? Did he tell Moses how wonderful he was and how much he needed Moses?
No.
In all of these instances, the Lord reminded Moses of who HE was. He reminded Moses of HIS power. Remember, he does all things for HIS glory.
At the end of chapter 5 (5:22-23), Moses basically accuses God of not following through on his promise. We don’t see God try to smooth things over for Moses. What we see in chapter 6 is several I AM and I WILL statements from the Lord. A reminder to Moses, the original audience of this book, and to us – that God IS who he says he is; HIS purposes WILL come to pass; and he WILL be glorified in all things.
It’s a reminder that we all need. There is so much false fluffy teaching – especially for women – that tells us that we are the point. It is a lie from the pit of hell. God created all things, he sustains all things, and he ordains all things for one purpose – His Glory. And when God is glorified, it results in the good of those who trust in him for their salvation in Christ. His glory results in our good. The two cannot be separated. But it isn’t about us. It never was. We are not the focus. So, reject the teaching that tells you otherwise. It’s idolatry to believe it.
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