Exodus 14:1-3
‘Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. “For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ ‘
This is another mystery of God’s guidance. We respect strength and wisdom. We like to order our lives which demonstrate these attributes. God wanted to send a different message. God wanted to make them appear confused. Moses was obeying God, but his obediance made him look fickle; like a poor leader.
How much are we willing to obey God? The normal mark of a life of obediance to God is honor and respect. Psalm 23 says that “He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies”. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean we go off into a life of wierdness. However, He may ask us to do something that we don’t get; something that others don’t get.
Naaman, a foreign military general, contracted leaprosy. This was a death sentence on the man. It was the AIDS of his day. He came to Elisha for healing. He was told to wash himself in the Jordan River seven times. He got mad and refused. “And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:13-14). His ego was interfereing with the healing that God had for him.
To become a Christian is such a move for some; it’s becoming a simpleton to them. Kirsten Powers, a Washington news columnist, who grew up and was raised in elite circles had such a struggle. She became a christian, but feared what all of her colleagues would say. None of them were believers of that sort. She was becoming what they all would ridicule in print. Her parents had a very difficult time with her decision. Yet, she came to Christ and told her story.
Just remember that the norm of God’s life for you is honor and respect. Yet, on occassion, we may be asked to do something we don’t understand. Moses did. It had the appearance that he was lost. Some of the Hebrews may have lost respect in his leadership. However, it was God’s will.
Lord, give us the the courage to fear You over others. Help us not to be crippled by the opinions of others. Just as when people set down their nets and followed You, give us the clearity to hear You and the courage to follow.