The story of Exodus is an enthralling one. It reveals so much about the human condition and about God’s heart. Because God is perfect, His Word is timeless and holds meaning for us in our current season. Even though these words were written in a different time period under a different set of circumstances, God tells us His Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). This means it continues to produce fruit in the hearts of those who are ready to receive it (Isaiah 55:10-11).
For us today, the words found in Exodus still hold power because they teach us the character of God. And when we know who God is, we are filled with strength — a quiet confidence that can not be taken by the world and something only our God can give us.
Since the purpose of the Word is to show us who God is, I like to note God’s character in each passage I read. In reading the first few chapters of Exodus, I am already deeply encouraged. Here is how I see God revealing His heart to us.
God is with us.
God chose Moses to be His mouthpiece and to play a vital part in freeing God’s people from slavery in Egypt, but Moses felt unqualified. When Moses asked God what qualified him, God did not respond with why Moses was so great. God responded with an affirmation of His own character. He declared, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). This is so beautiful and powerful.
The fact that God is with us is enough. When God chooses us (which He has, to be ambassadors of His gospel), it is not about us but about His power at work within us. When we partner with Him and obey His call, we get to experience His power making us strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Zechariah 4:6). Nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26).
God is patient.
All Moses could think of were reasons that exempted him from being used by God. He claimed that the people would not believe him or listen to him. He was not eloquent enough. Moses even asked God to send someone else.
God, in His patience and kindness, did not give up on Moses. He continued to reveal His almighty power. God gave Moses signs to perform to the people so that they would believe in His message (Exodus 4:1-9). God gave Moses assurance that He would guide his tongue and provide him the words and strength to speak (Exodus 4:10-12). God even provided Moses with Aaron, his brother, to help him speak to the people, and God promised to be with both of them (Exodus 4:13-16). God wanted to use Moses because He wanted Moses to witness His power and understand His character more deeply. God wants to show us His power, too.
God is trustworthy.
As Moses journeyed back to Egypt, The Lord reminded him that he was equipped. God also told Moses that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 4:21). Although we do not always know why God works things out the way He does, we can trust Him. His heart for us is good.
God did not forget His people. He heard them. God remembered His covenant, and He saw His people. God knew and cared about their suffering (Exodus 2:24-25). He knew what they were going through, and He would save them. He had good plans for them and a good place for them — a land flowing with milk and honey.
This is the same God we serve. His character has not changed, so we can trust Him.
These are only a few of the ways we see God’s character in the first chapters of Exodus. I encourage you to keep looking for God’s heart in each passage you read. And as Exodus 4:31 so beautifully shows us, our response to God’s good character should be reverent worship.
For the Israelites, God visited them through an encounter with Moses. For believers today, He has come to us through Jesus Christ who is God in the flesh. God saw our affliction caused by sin and made a way for us to be fully redeemed. We are dearly loved, and Exodus is a story of encouragement to trust in the God who loves us.
