A thematic study of obedience in the Bible involves examining different instances of obedience or disobedience across various biblical narratives, focusing on recurring themes or concepts related to obedience. Instead of simply studying individual characters in isolation, a thematic approach draws connections between different stories, revealing broader principles and insights about obedience. Our first story is the life of Moses and the gigantic task of leading Israel out of slavery.
Moses’ Fear: Power of Obedience
Moses’s life is a testament to the reality that God’s calling often intersects with our deepest fears. His story isn’t one of a fearless hero, but of a man who wrestled with profound anxieties, yet chose obedience. This study explores the specific fears that surrounded Moses and how God’s empowering presence enabled him to step into his divine assignment, demonstrating that true obedience is not the absence of fear, but faith in action despite it.
1. The Crippling Fear of Inadequacy: “Who Am I?”
(Exodus 3:11, 4:1, 10, 13)
At the burning bush, Moses’s initial response wasn’t a confident “Yes!” but a cascade of self-doubt. His conversation reflected many fears;
- He questioned his very identity (“Who am I?”),
- His credibility (“What if they do not believe me?”),
- His abilities (“I am slow of speech and tongue”).
He even desperately pleaded God to send someone else. This wasn’t mere humility; it was a deep-seated fear of failure, rooted in his perceived inadequacies. Moses felt deeply unqualified for the monumental task of delivering Israel from the slavery of Pharaoh’s. This highlights a crucial truth: God often calls the unqualified, not because of their strength, but to showcase His own.
2. Terrifying Shadow of Pharaoh’s Power: Facing the Giant
Exodus 5-14
Imagine standing before Pharaoh, the embodiment of imperial might. Moses knew the weight of Egypt’s power and the ruthlessness of its leader. The escalating plagues, each met with Pharaoh’s stubborn resistance, must have intensified Moses’s fear. Yet, he consistently obeyed God’s commands, confronting Pharaoh again and again. Each encounter was a test, a step of faith into the very heart of his fear. This illustrates that obedience often demands facing our greatest fears, trusting God’s protection in the face of overwhelming opposition.
3. A Rebellion: Fear of betrayal by His Own
(Exodus 14:10-12, 16:2-3, 17:1-4)
Moses’s trials weren’t limited to Pharaoh. The very people he was trying to liberate turned against him, their cries of fear and doubt echoing his own. At the Red Sea, in the wilderness, their grumbling and rebellion added immense emotional pressure. To lead a nation that constantly questioned his leadership and longed for their former captivity was a crushing burden. Yet, Moses remained steadfast, clinging to God’s guidance, trusting that God would provide even when those he was trying to help opposed him. This teaches us that obedience sometimes involves standing firm even when surrounded by fear, doubt and opposition.
4. Moses Antidote to Fear: God’s Obedience
(Exodus 3:12, 4:11-12, 17)
God didn’t merely command Moses. He assured him by doing the following;
- God assured Moses of HIS presence. (“I will be with you”).
- God addressed his anxieties about speaking (“I will help you speak”).
- God provided Aaron as a support.
This demonstrates a core principle: God never leaves us to face our fears alone. He provides the necessary resources, the empowering presence, and the divine guidance to overcome our limitations. God’s provision was the foundation upon which Moses’s obedience was built.
Conclusion: Courage Forged in Fear, Strength Found in God
Moses’s journey is a powerful reminder that obedience is not the absence of fear. His story shows that God’s strength;
- is made perfect in our weakness.
- when we surrender to God, HE empowers us with HIS presence.
- HE faithfully equips us for the tasks HE has called us to.
So true obedience is not about eliminating fear, but allowing God to use our fears and walking in obedience to showcase His power and faithfulness.
This post ends here.
**********May HIS presence be with you as you walk your journey**************
