Read His Words Before Ours!
Exodus 4:10-17
Exodus 7:1-13
Exodus 17: 8-16
As we make our way farther into the desert, the sun is beginning to descend, bringing welcome relief from the heat. I’m walking, hot and tired, replaying everything that’s happened in the last few days.
Wasn’t I just standing in front of Pharaoh telling him to let us go?
Wasn’t I just telling him all that God would do if he didn’t let us go?
And then did we actually get away?
And, wait a second, did my brother’s staff really just part the Red Sea and then close again once all of us got through safely?
This surely wasn’t happening. Moses and I had dreamed of freedom for so long, and now it was here. We were on our way to the Promise Land. All those years, 400 of them, under the cruel hand of Pharaoh; and I, Aaron, get to walk into that land of milk of honey by the hand of the Almighty!
This wasn’t going to be an easy journey. It surely hasn’t been so far, but God is doing incredible things all around us. I mean, He leads us with a pillar of cloud during the day, and a pillar of fire during the night. He is taking care of us, guiding us. Incredible!
I stop to catch my breath for a minute, allowing the slow breeze to sweep over my sweaty skin. The people are becoming more and more agitated, asking Moses why he would lead us out of Egypt only to be thirsty.
Don’t they realize how much better it is to be a little thirsty and free, then satisfied and enslaved? I scoffed a bit at my own thoughts, as if we were satisfied under Pharaoh!
I watch Moses lift his eyes to the Lord, and within a minute, he strikes a rock with the very rod that has just parted the Red Sea, and out of it gushes water. God is providing for us. Again! My eyes sting with tears, seeing first hand the great love of Yahweh for His people!
Moses and I have spent a lot of time together, as God has appointed me as Moses’ mouthpiece. Moses speaks to God and I speak to the people. It’s an honor to speak to so many.
The evening’s rest flies by, and as the sun rises anew, I notice Moses walking towards me. The Amalekites are preparing for battle in the distance. My adrenaline surges knowing we must fight them in order to move forward. The tall, broad shouldered frame of Joshua momentarily blocks my view as he speaks with Moses. Just within earshot, I hear Moses’ quiet but commanding tone, “I will be on top of the hill watching the battle”, as he points ahead to a rise in the horizon. It’s what Moses says next that catches me off guard, causing me to motion towards Hur. “Joshua, the Lord has told me that as long as my rod is above my head, we will prevail, yet if my rod drops down, the Amalekites will prevail.”
What is this that the Lord will do now? What if Moses gets tired? It’s too important of a battle to lose over weary arms; Moses cannot be alone on that hill. Hur and I will go with him. Now I just need to tell Hur…
______
Moses and Aaron are my best friends. We’ve spent countless hours together; they are my family. I had no problem following their lead as we left Egypt, doing whatever I could to support them. I’ve already seen Yahweh do so much as we’ve made our way out of slavery.
I decided to walk in the back of the group; mind you, there are roughly two million people here, so I’m a long ways back from the leadership at the front, but still Aaron and Moses know I’ve got their back. I wanted to make sure no one would be left behind. I’m drawn towards the small, seemingly insignificant jobs. I just want Moses, Aaron, and the young leader Joshua to be supported. Honestly, I like this view; I catch up young ones, sometimes carry older ones, and bring encouragement to as many as I can.
I didn’t think I would ever see the day of our freedom. It wasn’t even like our families talked about it anymore. We accepted we would be slaves to Pharaoh until death. So when Moses told Aaron and I that God was freeing us, I had to laugh a bit.
How would God do this? Didn’t He know Pharaoh? Pharaoh didn’t let anyone go. But God! His power has proven unstoppable!
I look up for a split second and see Aaron running towards me shouting something about a war between the Amalekites and us, signaling me to run to the top of that hill with Moses. I nod, my legs picking up speed. I’m here to do whatever I can. Use me, Yahweh!
Aaron and Hur stood with Moses atop that hill overlooking the war that day. Moses started at sunrise holding his rod high, allowing Israel to win, but as any human would, Moses grew tired. Because lowering his arms meant defeat, Aaron and Hur moved a rock under Moses so he could sit while, together, they held his arms up for him.
You have battles. I have battles. In each of them, the Lord longs to be our Victory, but sometimes we need others to hold our arms up for us. Hur is only recorded in the Bible twice, yet his role is too significant to be ignored.
Sweet sister, that feeling of being overwhelmed like you don’t have a way out can be carried by the Lord. Lean in to community on your journey! And if you see a need, don’t count it as insignificant, take your cue from Hur and lead others little by little!
He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me. Psalm 18:19
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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!
Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched II Week Two!
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in Sketched II!
