Prayer Fuel
CONVERSATION
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was chosen from a military career to lead Egypt in July 2013 after mass protests against President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood party. Sisi’s government gained and maintained stability by arresting militant Muslim Brotherhood leaders, shutting down their media outlets and shooting around 50 of their militant protesters.
Egypt’s current leadership have taken a harsh stance against terrorism and has made it clear to the whole population that coming out on the streets to demonstrate against the tough economic reforms and cost of living will not do anyone any good.
Egyptian leadership tends to be figureheads who act with authority through social hierarchies. They may take on a paternal role with their juniors listening to problems, offering advice and mediating disputes. However, lower-ranking individuals rarely question their superiors or offer them advice.
In contrast, Moses’ response to the Lord at Mount Sinai is quite remarkable. Firstly, he has a conversation with God! Secondly, he questions the Lord’s directives!! What is even more remarkable is that five times the Lord clearly answers Moses and gives him more details, reassurance, signs and even a concession.
| Moses Objections | The Lords Responses |
| Who am I that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? | ‘’I Will Be With You’’ ‘’And this shall be the sign to you that I am with you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt you shall worship God on this mountain.’’ |
| Suppose the Israelites don’t believe that you sent me. | Go assemble the elders tell them The LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob appeared to me and that he sees you and is going to fulfil his promise to bring you into the land of Canaan. The king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. I will strike the Egyptians with all my wonders. After that he will let you go. |
| What if they don’t believe me or listen to me? | Throw your rod on the ground.– it became a snake.Put you hand in your coat. – it become leprous – repeat and it will be well again.Pour water from the Nile on dry land.– it will become blood. |
| I am not eloquent, but slow in speech and tongue | ‘’Who gave man his mouth, tongue and sight? Go I will help you’’ |
| ‘’O Lord, please send someone else to do it.’’ | Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses. You speak to Aaron and Aaron will speak to the people. |
The Lord must have appeared in a manner that Moses felt able to talk with him freely, despite being ‘slow of speech and tongue.’ This speaks to me of the remarkable gentleness, grace and humility of the Lord.
Reflection
- Which of Moses’ responses above can you relate to?
- What it the deepest concern in your life?
- Which people are you called to serve and lead?
- What is the ‘Mountain,’ he has called you to?
- What will it look like when you are worshipping the Lord at that Mountain?
- If you knew for sure the Lord, his authority and his power were with you as he was with Moses what might you be doing differently?
Have you tried talking with the Lord about the six questions above?
Prayer
Now please pray earnestly for the one person who is seeking the Lord out of the hundred or so people who will visit Mount Sinai today. May they be given answers this day to overcome their fears, doubts and insecurities and find the courage and determination to do what the Lord has called them and his church to do.
