Bible Tidbits

Gen 50:20-21
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
NIV

Joseph is an inspiration for the abused. At his early age he was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery. Then he was accused of a rape he didn't commit and put into prison. His only hope was a cup bearer's testimony to the king. The cup bearer promised to clear Joseph's name, but he forgot for two years and Joseph was all but hopeless. Then he became 2nd in command for Pharaoh and helped him get through a mighty famine in Egypt. His brothers came back to him looking for food due to the famine. Joseph had a chance to burn them for their mistreatment. While, he did deceive them of his kingly identity and tried to convince them they were guilty of robbing Pharaoh, his reasons were merely to be closer to Benjamin, his youngest brother. At the very end of Genesis, the brothers plead at Joseph's feet for mercy, knowing that Joseph could punish them severely. Instead, Joseph kindly explains that God was in charge of Joseph's fate the whole time and it was truly for a greater purpose. This begs the question: can anyone really do significant damage to us? Sure, people hurt us all the time with their mouths and actions, but will their actions ever be a permanent scar in our lives? If you ask Joseph he would say, "world throw your worst at me, God can take anything and use it for a better me." Truly, putting God at your side changes your attitude on life.

Ex 2:16-20
16 Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 Some shepherds came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock.

18 When the girls returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, "Why have you returned so early today?"

19 They answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock."

20 "And where is he?" he asked his daughters. "Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat."
NIV

Moses has a shaky beginning in his ministry, but one thing he does really well is stick up for smaller people. Maybe it was that small attitude that left God to choose him for the freeing of Israel's people. If Moses hadn't bothered to look out for those shepherd girls he would have never gotten the favor of Reuel. When he stayed at Reuel's house he got a wife and a mission from God. I learned that the good deeds we do have potential to open doors for us. I'm not saying we should do good to get good, but I am saying that a life where you show care and compassion on others is beneficial. Moses continued his compassion on people and God had made him a great leader, a great revolutionary and the only man to see the back of God's head. Our choices have consequences.

Moses is also an example of being in a long list of godly servants that were not right in the head when they started their mission. When God asked Moses to confront Pharaoh about Israel's slavery, Moses said this:

Ex 4:10
Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
NIV

Ex 4:13

13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
NIV

Moses was afraid of this mission and you can't blame him. He had to face off against the leader of the Egyptians. It wasn't until God introduced himself as I AM, told Moses about every step of the plan, gave Moses some miraculous tools, reassured Moses and let Moses take his brother along that Moses finally agreed. We often assume that God and people think very little of those that have fear. God has a history of guiding them every step of the way and reassuring them that everything is fine. God is very faithful in this work.