September 25, 2008 - Acts 7:34a

“’I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free.’” Acts 7:34a.
Stephen retells the story of God’s calling of Moses to go back to Egypt to set the Hebrews, God’s people, free from the oppressive fist of Pharaoh. Moses, born in a Hebrew household and raised, through a bizarre turn of events, within Pharaoh’s household, had fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian guard, who had abused a fellow Hebrew. He had witnessed the oppression of the Hebrews firsthand and tried to take matters into his own hands, only to run away for fear of his life. Now, after 40 years of being a herdsman and family man in the wilderness, Moses was called by God to fulfill the calling of his life – to go to Egypt and lead the Hebrews into freedom.
I find the first few words very interesting. Stephen quotes God, saying, “I have indeed seen….” Isn’t it nice to know that there is a God who is involved enough that He actually “sees” into our world? And what is it that comes under His view? “The oppression of my people…” And not only does He see, but He hears their groans. And He comes down “to set them free.” It is so interesting that God doesn’t just go there Himself and do the work; He sends somebody. Moses was God’s ambassador, empowered to represent God’s kingdom to Pharaoh. Even with his faults and personal wounds, Moses was called to be God’s representative before the king of the most powerful nation in Moses’ world.
Questions to consider: As God’s ambassador, how are you representing God’s kingdom? Are there ways that you could represent your King better than you are? What does that look like?
Prayer: Father, it is my desire to be the ambassador that You called me to be. Give me courage to represent You well. Amen.