The Life of Moses the Prophet, Part 3
Pope Shenouda III discusses in this sermon God’s dealing with Moses, Pharaoh, and the people of Israel in the story of salvation from Pharaoh’s slavery. He explains that God worked through several stages, beginning with understanding, words, and gentleness, then using miracles, and afterward the plagues, according to the response of man. Pharaoh appears in the sermon as an example of a hardened heart that does not respond to God’s word, His warnings, or His promises. In contrast, the sermon explains how God was long-suffering even with His enemies and did not resort to severe punishment as His first action. It also explains that the delay in fulfilling God’s promise does not mean that God has forgotten His promise, but that the delay may have a spiritual purpose.
Spiritual Message
Pope Shenouda emphasizes the necessity of not hardening the heart when a person hears God’s voice, because God’s long-suffering is an opportunity for repentance and salvation. A person also needs to have faith in God’s word even when external circumstances appear to contradict the promise. The delay in fulfilling the promise can be a test of faith, patience, and steadfastness in the face of the devil’s spiritual warfare and doubts. The sermon emphasizes that God works with gentleness and long-suffering, and that this way reveals His love, justice, and wisdom.
Educational Lesson
The story of Moses teaches us that the results of God’s work cannot be judged by the beginnings alone, because at first it seemed that Moses’ going to Pharaoh had resulted in greater hardship for the people, but God ultimately fulfilled His purpose. Long-suffering also gave Pharaoh several opportunities, while at the same time revealing God’s power and miracles and exposing the weakness of Pharaoh, the magicians, and the Egyptian gods. Moses himself learned through these events spiritual experience in life with God, and he learned long-suffering until this quality became evident in his life.
Practical Application
A person should learn to wait for God’s work without setting his own timetable for the fulfillment of His promises. When the answer is delayed, he should preserve his faith and patience and not become weak because of circumstances or doubts. We should also learn long-suffering toward others, because God Himself is long-suffering with us. This lesson encourages us to remain steadfast in prayer, service, and trials, knowing that the things of God may seem bitter at first but end with sweetness and blessing. Therefore, we should not judge God’s work by its beginning, because with God the end of a matter is better than its beginning.
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