010. Prayer Of Moses.

Prayer Of Moses. The Prayer as recorded.—Exodus 3:13. The Answer.—Exodus 3:14.

He who came this time in prayer was Moses, one whose spirit rested on God, who amidst the corruptions of an idolatrous court, and surrounded by worldly allurements, was still the meekest man. There shone a light in the heart of Moses which God had kindled there, one which taught him then as it has taught others since, the emptiness of earth’s distinctions, and that true goodness alone is true greatness. Filled with contempt for honors that he knew could never satisfy his soul, trusting in God, Moses had quitted a high station in life, and retired to a quiet retreat, where he might the better cultivate his friendship towards God, and fulfill the designs of Providence in regard to his future. At the age of eighty he is invested with a high commission, and called to an enterprise which it required all his courage and energy to undertake. The burning bush in which the presence of the Lord was manifested to Moses at this time was emblematical; it represented the state of the church in Egypt, in the midst of flames but not consumed, oppressed, but not forgotten by the great I Am. Maybe all rashness in approaching God is here discouraged, while at the same time friendship is tendered to all who put aside worldliness, and come as all should who come to talk with the great Jehovah. The mercy-seat is holy ground; cast off thy jealousies, thy strife, thy pride, thy bitter feelings, and God will reveal himself to thee. Our friendship with the Almighty must be cultivated as was that of Moses; life is given us that we may not at its close first begin to know Him. We must learn early to trust, and if we remain steadfast we shall find him a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.

Moses, the trembler at Horeb, endured the presence of God forty days and nights in Sinai. As we have come more particularly to notice the nature of his petition at this time, we must carefully examine his feelings. There seems to have been a lurking of pride in the good man’s breast, which to the careless observer might appear like humility; there is not an entire relinquishment of will to that of God, for perhaps the memory of Moses had treasured the question so rudely put to him forty long years back, by the same people he was now sent to teach, “who made thee a ruler?” He doubts the success of his undertaking, and calls upon his Father in heaven, while laboring under these doubts. At this time he does not seem willing to go out, not caring whither he went, because sent by the great Jehovah—who bears with him, and in one short sentence exhibits the fullness of the Godhead, “I am that I am;” for this was the seal he gave to Moses, as he sent him to his afflicted people. The great God bears with our forwardness and often seems to overcome evil with good; doubting and irresolute, Moses urges difficulty after difficulty in this one thing he is called to perform; but God still showed patience and forbearance, promised to fill his mouth with arguments, and teach him what he should say. In the answer to this prayer we see the mercy of God is far above his judgments, even though his anger was kindled against Moses; Aaron his brother is brought out of Egypt—of whom it is written that could “speak well;” strengthened and stimulated by each other’s prayers, they go on their way together, with their message from the great Jehovah.