Sticks: Root Your Decisions in Godly Wisdomಮಾದರಿ

Taking Notice When God Is Trying to Get Your Attention

The storyline of trees has deep roots throughout Genesis and into the book of Exodus. When Adam and Eve leave Eden, the Garden and its trees are guarded by flaming cherubim. When Noah constructed the ark, he cut down a lot of trees. How did Noah know the flood had finally receded? Through a sign - a branch from an olive tree. When Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, he chopped down trees to prepare sticks for a fire. Many years, trees, and dramatic family histories have passed by the time we get to Moses’ story.

As an Israelite adopted by the Egyptian pharaoh’s daughter, Moses enjoyed the privileges of royalty, but he also saw the ruthless injustices his people were suffering under the pharaoh’s rule. One particular act of cruelty set Moses off, and he murdered an Egyptian who was beating up a Hebrew slave. Moses fled the palace and left Egypt to escape punishment in Midian.

The Egyptians continued to exploit the Israelites as slaves. God heard the cries of his people and recruited Moses to rescue them through what we now know as “the Exodus,” the greatest act of salvation in the Old Testament. But before Moses led his people out of Egypt, he experienced God’s power and presence for himself—at the Burning Bush.

While keeping his father-in-law’s flock in the wilderness of Midian, Moses encountered a bush ablaze but was not consumed. Moses’ curiosity compelled him to explore what was happening. Only then did God reveal himself and what he was about to do.

Some of our most important moments with God include God’s willingness to disclose himself to us and our ability to take notice when he is already at work. God always chooses how he reveals himself to people, Moses included. But at this moment, as the tree burned in front of him, the most important thing Moses needed to hear was that this God is the one, true, living God whom his ancestors followed. Just as many of us trust others faster when a family member or trusted friend recommends the relationship, this connection to Moses’ forefathers was a signal that God can be trusted.

When God told Moses he’d heard the Jewish cries for help, Moses started asking questions that anyone might ask: Who am I that I should go? How is this going to work out? What am I supposed to tell people to get them to believe me?

Moses followed God’s call by focusing on God’s identity rather than his own. If we are paralyzed in the face of God’s current assignment for our own lives, we may need to refocus our attention. It’s not about how unqualified we may feel—but about the God we follow. If we focus on him instead of on our ability, pasts, and the difficulties ahead, God’s powerful presence in our lives will give us the courage to face our fears and go anyway.

Prayer: God, I am often tempted to focus on my abilities or fears. When I am full of questions and doubts, help me focus on my identity rather than my insecurities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.