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Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 26

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith..." Jude 20

Text: Exodus 3 : 18

SUPPORT FROM THE ELDERS

Did Moses fear that there would be people who would question his leadership role, as it happened some forty years ago, when he tried to resolve a dispute between two Hebrew men? He need not fear. The Lord assured him that he would have support from the elders.

“Then they will heed your voice;
and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel,
to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him,
‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us;
and now, please, let us go three days’ journey
into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the
Lord our God.'”
EXODUS 3:18

The support of the Elders of the children would be welcome for a number of reasons. Let us consider just three.

1. Acceptance of the leadership role of Moses

If the elders of the children of Israel were to heed Moses’ voice, that meant that they would accept the leadership role that God had assigned him.

2. Solidarity Needed

The work of deliverance involved all that made up the children of Israel. At the very least, solidarity among the leaders, the elders of the children of Israel must be achieved and displayed. It would not do if there was dissension among those who formed the council of elders.

3. Joint Ministry

God wanted Moses to know that he was not alone in this venture. The elders could go with him to the Pharaoh. That would certainly be a great source of encouragement to his heart as he stood to deliver a message from the Lord.

A CAREFULLY CRAFTED REQUEST

How would Moses even broach the real subject as to why he wanted an audience with the Pharaoh? In the most politically correct language, Moses would present a request to the Pharaoh. He would deliver this message as God’s emissary. The gist of the message may be summarized as follows:-

1. The request came from the God of the Hebrews

This was deemed important. The request did not originate from the children of Israel but from God Himself.

2. The request was for “time out” for the Hebrews to worship their God

Would the Pharaoh grant this most reasonable request?