Prayer Life Of Moses Series

Text; Exodus 32:11-14

Theme: Prayer Life of Moses

Greetings & Introduction:

Date of Exodus and date of birth of Moses:

According to I Kings 6:1, the Exodus from Egypt occurred 480 years before Solomon began building the Temple in Jerusalem. It is in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, about 960 BCE. So, Exodus would date about 1440 BCE. Moses was probably born in the late 14th century BCE. (Encyclopedia of Britannica). Moses lived 120 years and at 80 he confronted Pharaoh. At what age he left Egypt and reached Midian is not very clear. But later Jewish and Christian traditions assumed till he was 40 he was with Palace and then moved to tend sheep.

Illustration:

George Bush met Moses in heaven, and he wanted to talk to him. So, he said, "Excuse me, sir, aren't you Moses?"

Moses stood perfectly still and said nothing.

Again, Bush called, a little louder, "Excuse me, sir, aren't you Moses?"

Again, Moses was speechless.

Bush tried a third time, with a high tone. "Excuse me, sir, aren't you Moses?"

Again, no words from Moses.

Angel asked Moses, why are you behaving so rude?

Moses replied gently: "Don’t you know that last time when I spoke to the burning bush, I had to spend 40 years wandering in the wilderness."(Adopted).

Today, I would like to introduce Moses as a Man of God (Joshua 14:6), a Servant of God (Joshua 14:7), and a Prophet of God (Deuteronomy 34:12) which he attained through his prayer life. As a man of God, he knew his God and his people; as a servant of God, he bridged God and people through prayer; and as a prophet of God, he did powerful ministries through miracles and teachings.

1. MAN OF GOD

Name Moses, (Hebrew: Moshe – mashah= to draw - Exodus 2:10). Josephus and Philo the Historians, express that this word comes from Coptic: Mo = Water, Ushe=Saved =Mouses, The Egyptian word Mes = mesu (son) referring to Egyptian deity Ra-mesu, Thot-mes. Mose means ‘in born’.

Moses was a Hebrew prophet, teacher, and leader. He delivered his people from Egyptian slavery. He received Torah and Ten Commandments; He rendered and codified supplemental interpretations of the Covenant stipulations. He was an organizer and legislator. He presented to Israel the Pentateuch (Encyclopedia of Britannica).

Moses was called the Man of God not just “a” man of God (2 Chronicles 3:16). He was faithful in all God’s house (Hebrews 3:5). He was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3). Moreover, the Lord spoke to him face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Exodus 33: 11). Moses had several theophany experiences (Exodus 19:18). His staff had divinely power to perform miracles and wonders (Exodus 7:8-13). Moses was exalted as a great person among all men of his times (Exodus 7:1, 4:16, 11:3). Remember that St. Paul’s handkerchiefs had the power to heal people.

James 5:16 says that “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working”. Prayer is the breath of our soul. “Prayer does not bring God to man, but man to God.”

The culmination of Moses’ prayer life was found in Exodus 32: 32. He said to God: "Blot me out of Thy book." If you are not going to forgive the sins of thy people. Again, on another occasion, Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me” (Exodus 17:4). So, God intended to consume the people. God had a deal with Moses that he would destroy the seeds of Abraham but he would make his family a great nation.

Instead of accepting this good deal, Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites. Moses spoke of the goodness of God, and the promises of God to Abraham (Exodus 32:11, 12, 14). As a Man of God, when spies instigated people against Moses and God. He cried out for mercy and forgiveness (Numbers 14:13-19). Moses addressed the Lord and reacted by protesting when the burden of his mission became too heavy (Numbers 11:10-15).

2. Servant of God

Exodus 3 teaches us that the prayer of Moses was a response to God’s revelation, he built his trust in God and strengthened his relationship with God, and he showed his reverence to God in prayer (George Cherian). Moses prayed for his enemy Pharaoh (Exodus 8-10).

Moses’ prayer consisted of thanksgiving after crossing the Red Sea. He kept on praising God’s strength (Exodus 15:2), and His greatness (Exodus 15:11).

“Moses boldly prays for the return of God’s presence. Better than a prayer for safety, traveling mercies, or physical needs, Moses prays for God–nothing more, nothing less–just God. he prays on God’s promises; he prays for the knowledge of God personally, not about God but God himself; and prays for the favor and ways of God” (Exodus 33:12-15, David Schrock).