Staff, Snake, River and a Rock
There's a story that's been on my mind a lot lately.
A true story.
A story of challenges.
A story of human weakness.
A story of human kindness and thoughtfulness.
Add some obedience in there as well, because I don't think it would have turned out the way it did if the humans disobeyed.
A story of a staff.
Enter human character number one ~ Moses.
Back in the Old Testament days, a man named Moses was used by the Almighty God to help save a group of suffering people. God's beloved people, the Israelites.
During the multi-staged rescue mission ~ an effort to influence the Pharaoh of Egypt to change his mind about enslaving Israelites and to allow them freedom ~ God turned the Nile River into blood.
Yikes.
Imagine that.
But, yes, it became blood. That's a big river.
In the process, God used Moses and a shepherd's staff.
Human character number two ~ Aaron.
He plays a supporting role - a powerful speaking role, a prophet to his brother Moses. A co-helper in turning all the Egyptian water (in rivers, canals, marshes and reservoirs) to blood.
Together these brothers went to the Pharaoh to seek permission to lead their people out of Egypt.
And now, yes, human character number three ~ the grand Pharaoh himself. Grand and potent.
But not omnipotent - that's a quality saved for the Almighty God Himself.
Oh, how this Egyptian Pharaoh had no idea what was coming. Even when he was warned. Even when great miracles occurred right in front of him. No, he had no idea, not at this point in the story, anyway.
Before the Nile waters changed, Moses and Aaron went to talk to the Pharaoh.
While they were there, they followed God's instructions about the above mentioned staff.
After throwing it down, it turned into a snake, which then prompted the Egyptian leader to command his magicians to do the same.
Success, in his eyes.
Yet, that special staff-snake of God turned and swallowed up the snakes of the magicians.
A miracle with a punch.
Pharaoh did not have the last word on that one.
And now, let's go back to the Nile River. (We read about that in Exodus 7.)
And that staff.
God instructed Moses to take the staff that turned into a snake with him to the Nile River. Moses had to strike the river with the staff, and it would turn to blood.
And that, it did.
Skipping ahead a few chapters in the book of Exodus, to chapter 17, we see that staff again.
The people had been wandering in a desert for a bit by now, and are getting a little thirsty and irritated. They became angry with Moses.
Moses spoke to God and shared his concerns. Well, I think it was more impassioned pleading than just simply sharing a concern or two. He pleaded for God to help him with the restless, angry people.
And God answered.
He told Moses to take the staff - specifically the one he used when he struck the Nile River.
A rock was to be struck with it this time, and water would pour out for the people to quench their thirst.
And so it happened.
Interesting that it was the same staff Moses was to use in these three situations.
Interesting that is was a shepherd's staff.
Interesting that this man Moses ~ a prince-turned-shepherd-turned-leader of one of the most famous rescue missions ever ~ was chosen by God to do great miracles, and lead a huge group of people to safety.
Interesting that years and years later, God sent another One on a great rescue mission - the greatest and most successful rescue mission of all time.
This One was a humble carpenter who became a shepherd of people.
This One was a shepherd who searched out the lost sheep, who rescued them from certain death.
This One was Jesus.
A true story.
A story of challenges.
A story of human weakness.
A story of human kindness and thoughtfulness.
Add some obedience in there as well, because I don't think it would have turned out the way it did if the humans disobeyed.
A story of a staff.
Enter human character number one ~ Moses.
Back in the Old Testament days, a man named Moses was used by the Almighty God to help save a group of suffering people. God's beloved people, the Israelites.
During the multi-staged rescue mission ~ an effort to influence the Pharaoh of Egypt to change his mind about enslaving Israelites and to allow them freedom ~ God turned the Nile River into blood.
Yikes.
Imagine that.
But, yes, it became blood. That's a big river.
In the process, God used Moses and a shepherd's staff.
Human character number two ~ Aaron.
He plays a supporting role - a powerful speaking role, a prophet to his brother Moses. A co-helper in turning all the Egyptian water (in rivers, canals, marshes and reservoirs) to blood.
Together these brothers went to the Pharaoh to seek permission to lead their people out of Egypt.
And now, yes, human character number three ~ the grand Pharaoh himself. Grand and potent.
But not omnipotent - that's a quality saved for the Almighty God Himself.
Oh, how this Egyptian Pharaoh had no idea what was coming. Even when he was warned. Even when great miracles occurred right in front of him. No, he had no idea, not at this point in the story, anyway.
Before the Nile waters changed, Moses and Aaron went to talk to the Pharaoh.
While they were there, they followed God's instructions about the above mentioned staff.
After throwing it down, it turned into a snake, which then prompted the Egyptian leader to command his magicians to do the same.
Success, in his eyes.
Yet, that special staff-snake of God turned and swallowed up the snakes of the magicians.
A miracle with a punch.
Pharaoh did not have the last word on that one.
And now, let's go back to the Nile River. (We read about that in Exodus 7.)
And that staff.
God instructed Moses to take the staff that turned into a snake with him to the Nile River. Moses had to strike the river with the staff, and it would turn to blood.
And that, it did.
Skipping ahead a few chapters in the book of Exodus, to chapter 17, we see that staff again.
The people had been wandering in a desert for a bit by now, and are getting a little thirsty and irritated. They became angry with Moses.
Moses spoke to God and shared his concerns. Well, I think it was more impassioned pleading than just simply sharing a concern or two. He pleaded for God to help him with the restless, angry people.
And God answered.
He told Moses to take the staff - specifically the one he used when he struck the Nile River.
A rock was to be struck with it this time, and water would pour out for the people to quench their thirst.
And so it happened.
Interesting that it was the same staff Moses was to use in these three situations.
Interesting that is was a shepherd's staff.
Interesting that this man Moses ~ a prince-turned-shepherd-turned-leader of one of the most famous rescue missions ever ~ was chosen by God to do great miracles, and lead a huge group of people to safety.
Interesting that years and years later, God sent another One on a great rescue mission - the greatest and most successful rescue mission of all time.
This One was a humble carpenter who became a shepherd of people.
This One was a shepherd who searched out the lost sheep, who rescued them from certain death.
This One was Jesus.
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