Well, we find ourselves in Exodus 6:14-30. I have entitled this passage, "Identity and Calling: God Knows Who He Calls and Why He Calls." Now, in verses 14 through 30, you have this rather lengthy genealogy, which I won't read for you, with all of the strange-sounding Middle Eastern names. But let me read the last couple verses, starting with verse 26.
These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said: "Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts." It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt, this Moses and this Aaron. On the day when the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, the LORD said to Moses, "I am the LORD; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you." But Moses said to the LORD, "Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?"
Now, here's what you need to understand about the biblical genealogies. They have been recorded and preserved for us for a reason. Genealogies are not something you should sigh at, when you come across one, and quickly run away from. You should read genealogies like an archaeologist digging through the bones, because there are bones there, looking for what you can learn about God and the people he chose to call to his work. The genealogy that is stuck here only connects four generations from Jacob to Moses and Aaron. And that's the way it is with most genealogies-they are selective; they're not comprehensive or exhaustive.
So this genealogy starts with the descendants of Jacob and ends with Moses and Aaron. And there's a reason for that. It connects Moses and Aaron to the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom God made his great and irreversible covenant promises. So, God wants the reader to know that Moses and Aaron have been called to stand before Pharaoh because, although Israel has been in captivity for 400 years, God hasn't abandoned his covenant promises. He is in the business of doing what he promised. So Moses and Aaron are a direct fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That means that Moses and Aaron are guaranteed success because the nation of Israel would be the vehicle by which God would continue his plan, which would ultimately result in the sending of his Son, Jesus.
Second, this genealogy functions to reassure the reader that God knows what he is doing. He knows exactly who he has called. He knows who they are and where they have come from, and he knows why he has called them at this time and place to do his work. I love when it says, "this Moses and this Aaron" that God had called. God is being specific, "I know these guys. I know what they have. I know what they don't have. And I've called them to this time and this place to do this work." It's beautiful. The calling of fearful Moses is not a grand mistake; it has existed in the plan of God for generations.
And this is true of you too. Your name and the things God called you to have been in the book of his plans for countless generations. He knows you. He knows where you've come from. He knows why he's called you. He knows what he's placed on your plate. None of this has happened apart from him. All of this is part of his plan. And so you and I can step out in faith. You are not a mistake. You are not a blip. You are part of God's great eternal plan. Your little story has been embedded in the grand story of redemption. And your destiny, because of that, is secure. God knows you. He knows what he's called you to. He knows where you are. You're part of his plan!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. What is your initial reaction when you hear that your life and calling has existed in the plan of God for generations? What is your internal response to the fact that God knows exactly who you are and precisely what he's called you to in life?
2. As you think about the details of God's call in your life, what might be some of the reasons he has led you to the specific place where you are right now (geographically, maturity-wise, emotionally, etc. )? What is currently on your plate that you feel might be an opportunity for God to work in your life and the lives of others in your natural circle of influence?
3. What events or circumstances in your life have made you believe that you might be a blip or mistake? What can you be praying about right now to combat those kinds of thoughts in your belief system?
4. In what ways have you seen God work to use your story as it has been embedded into the grander story of his redemption work around you? How has this helped you to grow closer to God? How has it helped you to trust him with every detail of your life?
5. What might God be calling you to right now that you haven't really paid attention to? What would it look like to step out in faith in specific areas that you're currently reluctant or afraid to step into?
For Younger Children:
1. What do you think God wants to do in your life when you get older?
2. Why do you think it's important to know that God cares specifically about you and what he wants to do in your life? What makes you believe that he will use you right now, even though you're young?
3. If God is good, why is it that we can trust his calling in our lives and know it's good too?
For Older Children:
1. How often do you think about the fact that God knows you completely and wants to be in a relationship with you? What are a few of the reasons why you might be nervous to trust God and his plan for your life?
2. What are some specific ways you've seen God work in your life, in our family, and in your friend groups? How does his work in the past help you to believe that he is good and in control right here in the present...and will be in the future?
3. What events or circumstances in your life have made you believe that you might be a blip or mistake? What can I be praying about for you right now to combat those kinds of thoughts in your belief system?
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