The Moses of today’s verse – standing strong in the Lord, encouraging the Israelites to bravery and faith – is a far cry from the Moses of yesterday, begging to be released from his God-given call. Since that feeble moment, he has experienced so much of God working in him and through him that he now knows God is trustworthy and able, and can speak of him confidently and in truth.

 

Not only had Moses just been the one to hold out his staff so the waters would miraculously retract, allowing the people to cross over on dry ground, but he had also had to bargain with the powerful Pharaoh at least ten times, warning of the plagues God would send upon Egypt if Pharaoh refused to obey him and let his people go. Obedience, courage and perseverance achieved this goal for Moses, and his faith grew steadily through “knowledge of the Holy One” (Proverbs 9:10) as with each encounter he would deliver God's message.

 

The book of Proverbs speaks of “the fear of the Lord” as “the beginning of knowledge”, but adds that “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7) – a profound, yet rational, consideration when we stop to think of its implications. This truth played out clearly in the unfolding of events between Moses and Pharaoh. Where Moses grew in faith through obedience, Pharaoh repeatedly refused to submit, becoming increasingly defiant – to his, and his nation’s, ruin.

 

Our attitude toward how we live our life is vitally important at any age or stage because we will have to live in the future our choices and actions shape. When we pay little attention to wisdom, we open ourselves to potential sorrow and difficulty which may last a long time and leave scars. But revering God’s knowledge and greatness enables us to grow – as we learn and keep growing in wisdom, he will equip us to make good choices that lead to a satisfying, well-lived life – even though on earth it will never be perfect.

 

James reminds us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

 

Unlike Pharaoh, who had wisdom set plainly before him and refused it, we are invited simply to ask – and God, in his generosity, will provide. God is unchanging. What he did for Moses he can do for us today.

 

Prayer: Father God, I need your wisdom. Thank you that the wisdom that comes from above is “pure … peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit ...” (James 3:17) May these qualities continue to shape my growth in faith and trust in you and bring honour to your name. Amen.