My dear siblings
Today, I’m thanking God for you, for your presence in my life, as we reflect on the work together. If my memory serves me right, I began reflecting on scripture 9+ years ago. Some of you were there at the beginning, patient with me as I reflected on the Word. Little did we know what God had in store for us.
Others of you, especially my sisters, were in the cheering team when I began to think in sermons and realised that, truly, something was shifting. I bless God for your unwavering support, and thank you.
Reflecting on Today’s Holy Nougat, these thoughts rush to the fore, as it is the text I used for my first ‘real’ sermon back in the day.
Exodus 14:13-14 CEB
[13] But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never ever see again.
[14] The LORD will fight for you. You just keep still.”
Who Seh So?
During my childhood, there were two questions we’d ask our peers when they said something incredible, or they acted out of the norm. Who seh so (who gave you that instruction, or do you really believe that), and Wha go so (does that make sense/that’s unbelievable/it’s preposterous). I believe that those two questions might have been like a recurring decimal in Moses’ ears as he led the Children of Israel out of Egypt.
Self-Check
What situation, if any, do you think would lead you to ask such a question?
Digging Deeper
Siblings, it’s possible that they asked Moses both questions at that moment. The people we’re caught between the devil, called pharaoh and his armies, and the deep Reed Sea! The danger wasn’t imminent anymore. It was present. And they were fully aware of what those Egyptians were capable of. 400+ years in bondage to Egypt taught them a lot. Their muscle and generational memories both knew what was in store if pharaoh’s team caught them.
Before we completely discard them as faithless and whiny, let’s consider: the Children of Israel had most likely cried out to God, with seemingly no response. Moreover, they lived through the increased punishment after each plague (not every single one, but you get my drift). And, now, at the point when they thought they finally got a break (for pharaoh had released them and they were given reparations), there was pharaoh and his men coming to get them. They might have left Egypt with wealth, but those Children of Israel had no military might.
It’s not surprising that they got angry with Moses, for they couldn’t accept that they left Egypt only to die at the border! I suspect they felt that God was disappointing them one more time. They had become accustomed to expecting evil, not good. Positive acts were suspect. Can you hear the furore at that moment?
I know some of us have been there before. Despite our time in Psalm 22, some of us are still there.
So then, how would we respond to Moses’ command to be still? Would we have asked him, a who seh so?
Point to Ponder
And now, how do we hear Y’shua saying Peace, be still? And what if He replied, A Me seh so (i.e., ‘I said it’. How would we respond?
Selah
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May all we seek be found in Christ
