Well, in these first several Bible studies in Exodus, we're really slowing down and digging deep because there are treasures to be found that you may just skip over. And I want to title this study, "Uncommon Grace" from Exodus, chapter 2, verses 16 through 22.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, "How is it that you have come home so soon today"? They said, "An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock." He said to his daughters, "Then where is he? Why have you left him? Call him that he may eat bread." And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land."
From the miracle child on the Nile, to a life in Pharaoh's palace, to a murderer in exile, you look at that arc and you would think, "Moses story is done!" He was the promised child, and he blew it; but God had a plan for him and it's not the end of the story. That's not who God is, and that's not how he works. We see that all throughout Scripture. Abraham panicked and had a child from a woman who was his servant, not his wife. David committed adultery. Jonah resisted God's call and ran in the other direction. Peter denied him. And yet, God had a future plan for all of them. That doesn't mean that we should take his call for granted, but none of us can say that we deserve God's favor or a place in his work.
God is a God of uncommon grace and he's not done with Moses. Moses doesn't languish and die in the wilderness. Moses' heart for justice that caused him to wrongly kill an Egyptian now causes him to defend women from shepherds who are keeping them from getting water for their father's flock. That the women are at the well when Moses is there is all part of God's plan. None of this is an accident. God is in the process of rebirthing Moses' story and his usefulness in his plan. Moses is taken into this priest's home, begins to live with him, marries one of the priest's daughters and becomes a father to a baby boy. There's no way you would have predicted that this is where Moses' story would go. And you and I wouldn't tend to think that God would still have any intention to use him.
But this is where we are confronted with the humbling truth that God never calls us because we're worthy; he doesn't use us because we're able. He calls us because he is able, and his grace is patient, and his power is infinite. And he can use whomever he chooses to do whatever he calls them to do. You see, the story of Moses, as we will see, is far, far from over. And no matter what your track record is, your story is far from over too. None of us stand before God as worthy; none of us stand before God as deserving; none of us has everything we need to do what God has called for us to do. But we don't have to be that because God meets us where we are and empowers us to do what he's called for us to do. Don't let guilt and regret make you a spiritual exile. Don't run away from God; run to him in all your failures and weaknesses and watch what he will do!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. In what ways have you considered yourself to be a failure and unworthy to be used by God? How does this part of Moses' story help you to see that even though you may have failed in the past, God is still guiding and directing your life in every way?
2. In the past, how have you seen God show up in the midst of your failures and weaknesses? Take some time to think through some specific examples from your life.
3. How does the empowering Spirit of God give you the ability to be used by him and glorify him even though you might consider yourself unqualified or untalented in specific areas? Why does your weakness mean God's strength? In what ways can you confront your tendencies to rely on your own strength and speak the truth to them in a way that highlights God's strength, capability, etc.?
4. How do your weaknesses and failures point you to Jesus?
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children:
1. What do you think it means to be restored? From this part of Exodus, how is Moses being restored after he killed an Egyptian?
2. What are the bad things you've thought or done in the past that might make you think that God is upset with you and is unable to use you? What lies might you be believing right now about how can and wants to use you?
For Older Children:
1. When it comes to being a Christian, why is weakness an advantage? How do your personal weaknesses present opportunities for you to trust God in the everyday parts of your life?
2. What are the things you've done in the past that have led you to believe that God can't or won't use you anymore? Why are those beliefs about yourself untrue?
3. How does Moses' story here give you personal hope and perspective?
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