I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.
Acts 7:34
I always get a little concerned when people tell me they have a little task for me. Often it comes at a time when I’m preoccupied with something else, and I just want to get on with what I’m doing, but I’m expected to help the other person straight away. It might be my mum asking me to set the table. It might be my fiancee wanting me to help her find something that she’s lost. It might be my boss at work wanting me to write a new scholarship paper. Maybe I’m just too selfish, but all I want to do is to get on with what I’m doing!
In today’s verse, Stephen is recalling God appearing to Moses in the burning bush. Moses must have been wondering what on earth was going on; there he was minding his own business when he came upon a bush that appeared to be on fire, but wasn’t burning up. Then, much to his surprise, a voice came booming out of the bush telling Moses that this was God talking! Moses is then given a great task by God; he is to go into Egypt and tell Pharoah, who has been using the Jews as slaves, to let God’s people go. That’s quite a task, and Moses had some misgivings about his suitability for the role.
This verse highlights two key aspects of God to me. Firstly, God deeply cares for all of is people. He saw what was happening to the Jews in Egypt, and wanted to do something about it. Secondly, he uses ordinary people like you and me to achieve his goals. Reflect today on just how much God cares for you, and reflect on how God is trying to use you in his eternal plan!