MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Exodus 4:29-31
THE FIRST INTERVIEW OF MOSES AND AARON WITH THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL, AND THE WELCOME THEY RECEIVED
I. They acted upon the Divine suggestion. “And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the Elders of the Children of Israel.” This is what God told them to do. All Christian work should be undertaken according to the Divine suggestion, and in harmony with the Divine will. God generally tells men how to work as well as what to do. If we were left to mark out our own methods of toil, we should often involve both ourselves and the enterprise entrusted to us in great danger.
II. They spake according to the Divine dictation. “And Aaron spake all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses.” In a great mission the sayings of a man are as important as his doings: hence these must be divinely directed Great workers require to be taught by God. In this consists their safety and success. A man who speaks to the world the messages of God will always be listened to.
III. They succeeded according to Divine intimation. “And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the Children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.” Thus Moses and Aaron awakened the—
(1). Faith;
(2). Hope;
(3). Direction—of Israel. Moses had previously said that Israel would not believe him. We mistake our missions. We cannot form an estimate of success. If we act and speak according to the instruction of God, we must succeed.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Exodus 4:29. The declaring of God’s will is suitably united to the assembling of His people.
God’s spokesmen made by Him are the best to declare His mind to His people.
God may unfold His mind more fully to one servant than to another.
Exodus 4:30-31. The faith of the people should closely follow upon the word of God ministered, and by His works confirmed.
All professed believers receive not God’s word with the same faith.
God’s gracious visitation of His Church, and providential sight of its afflictions are made known by His servants, and are welcome to them.
The tidings of God’s visiting love and redeeming providence must affect God’s Israel.
Worship is the most suitable return to God for His redemption.
HUMAN AND DIVINE ATTITUDES
I. The attitudes predicated of the people:—
1. Their belief.
2. Their reference.
3. Their devotion.
II. The attitudes predicated of God:—
1. He saw the affliction of Israel.
2. Visited Israel.