??Imagine what it would be like growing up in a palace! That’s where we find little Moses in our Bible lesson today! Ooh, lets imagine were there with Moses, looking down the long hallways with shiny tile floors, seeing the tall marble pillars, and the richly colored fabrics that decorated his new home.
??Moses had the best of everything：fine clothes to wear, the most delicious food to eat, servants to care forhim and spoil him, I'm sure! There was no one in Egypt who had a better education than Moses. He would have had the finest teachers in science, math and history. The Bible tells us that not only was Moses treated like a prince, but also he was princely in his ways. Gods Word tells us that Moses was mighty in words and in deeds. (Acts 7：22) When people saw him, I'm sure they thought, My, what a handsome Egyptian prince. But even though Moses looked and dressed like an Egyptian, spoke their language and ate their food, he never forgot he was a Hebrew. It must have bothered him as he grew up to see the cruel treatment of his people by the Egyptians.
??One day when Moses was about 40 years old, he went out and saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew man. Moses could not bear the unfairness of it, and after making sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. He thought no one knew. But do you know who was watching？Yes, God was watching! The next day Moses again went out. This time he was disturbed to see two Hebrews fighting each other. Again, Moses intervened and tried to stop them. The one who was wrong said to Moses, Who made you a prince and a judge over us？Do you intend to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian？This made Moses realize his sin was not hidden. And sure enough, very soon even Pharaoh knew about it and he ordered Moses to be killed. Moses was already out of Egypt, thanks to God's good care of him. The handsome prince who had life so easy for 40 years, now found himself running for his life across hot dry deserts and mountains.
??Moses came to the land of Midian and sat down to rest by a well, just as a group of 7 sisters came to water their father’s sheep. He watched as some rude shepherds came and tried to run the girls away.
??Again, Moses to the rescue! We know Moses must have been a strong young man, for he ran those rude shepherds away and watered all the sheep for the 7 sisters. They told Jethro, their father, all about this handsome stranger. Quickly Jethro sent them back to bring Moses home to dinner.
??Girls, you will like this part of the story! The Bible tells us that Moses not only stayed for dinner, but he continued to live with this family. Later, one of those 7 sisters became the wife of Moses! God blessed Moses not only with a safe place to live, but a loving family, and then later, 2 sons of his own. Moses settled down to become a husband, a father, and a shepherd taking care of his father-in-laws sheep. For 40 years life was probably pretty settled for Moses. Do you suppose Moses often thought about his family, and all the Hebrews still in slavery in Egypt？I'm sure he did.
??One day Moses led Jethros sheep to the backside of the desert, to Mount Horeb. Suddenly he caught sight of something very strange! It was a bush on fire, but yet the fire was not burning the bush up. As Moses came nearer to get a closer look at this strange sight, he heard a voice：" Moses! Moses!" Moses said, here I am.
??"Don’t come any closer. Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." You may be sure Moses did remove his sandals, but he also hid his face!
??This wasn't just a burning bush! God's very presence and voice were there speaking to him! Moses was standing before his holy, all-powerful Creator!
??Lets you and I think a minute. If you had been there, would you have to hide your face too？Why？Because of your sin. The Bible tells us that all people have sinned. We are not perfect like God is perfect. In so many ways we do things that do not please God, like thinking hateful thoughts and saying angry words, like making excuses for not doing our work. That’s why Gods Word calls us sinners. Sin causes us to be away from God. No sin is allowed in His holy presence or in His beautiful and holy home in Heaven. But Gods Word tells us that He loves sinners! Romans 5：8 tells us that God proved His love
??for us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Christ is the Lord Jesus Christ, Gods perfect and only Son. God sent Jesus to earth to take the punishment for your sin, which meant that Jesus had
??to suffer a terrible death of being nailed to a wooden cross. On that cross the Bible tells us Jesus gave His precious blood to pay for all our sin. He died, was buried, and rose again after 3 days. Now the Lord Jesus is in Heaven. When you believe what the Lord Jesus did for you and ask Him to come into your life and forgive your sin, He will. He will forgive you of your sin and make you clean and ready to stand in the presence of our Holy God. At that burning bush, Moses realized he was standing in the presence of his holy, all-powerful Creator!
??God had a surprising message for Moses："Moses, I have seen, I have heard, and I know all about the affliction and the sorrow of my people in Egypt. I am coming down to help them. And Moses, I am sending YOU to Pharaoh that you may bring my people out of Egypt." What is this？! Moses is 80 years old now! He has been in the desert for forty years. And yet, God had chosen Moses to lead His people out of slavery to freedom! But Moses began immediately to look at himself and all his weakness. Who am I that I should go and speak to a king, or to lead a great people？Moses didn’t think he could do the big job God was asking him to do! And he was right! He couldn’t! But remember our Bible verse？I Thessalonians 5：24 Faithful is he who calleth you who also will do it.
??An 80-year old man couldn't do great things for God without Gods help, for sure! God assured Moses he would have that help. God said, Certainly I will be with you. Moses asked, when I go to the Israelites and say God sent me, and they say, what is His name？What am I supposed to tell them？Now, boys and girls, you will think this is a strange name. God said："Tell them that I AM THAT I AM sent you." We can understand a lot about God from that name. It means that He is the same yesterday, today, forever. He has just as much power and love and life today, as He has ever had! And then God told Moses to tell the people of Israel this name：the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
??But Moses was still afraid to go, so he made another excuse："But they wont believe me." God asked：" What is that in your hand？" Moses answered, my shepherd’s rod. God said, Throw it down. When Moses did, that straight stiff rod became a slithering snake! And Moses ran from it! Wouldn’t you？Pick it up by the tail. And Moses did! Instantly it became a straight stiff piece of wood again!
??That’s not all! Then God said, put your hand inside your coat. When Moses obeyed, and then pulled his hand out, oh! His hand was covered with the terrible disease of leprosy. Now put your hand inside your coat again. Moses did, and when he brought his hand out again, the leprosy was gone!
??If they do not believe when you do these miracles, take water out of the Nile River and pour it on dry land. The water will turn to blood. What amazing miracles! But still Moses made excuses! I can’t speak well enough. God reminded Moses to get his mind off himself! " Who made mans mouth？Didn’t I, the Lord？Moses, go, and I will be with your mouth and tell you what to say." God would do His work through Moses.
??If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour from sin, you are Gods child. He will ask you to do things for Him. But who is really doing the work？It is God working through you. Lets say our memory verse again. I Thessalonians 5：24, Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it.
??God was ready to do a great work through Moses. But oh no, can you believe Moses refused again! O my Lord, please send someone else! The Bible says God became angry with Moses, but He was still patient as He said, your brother Aaron speaks well. I will allow him to speak and you will do the miracles. Moses then made preparation to go to Egypt.
??But even with a brother to help Moses, it would still be God Who would do the mighty work of leading His people!
??Moses went back to Jethro and asked him to let him return to Egypt. His father-in-law agreed and soon Moses was traveling back through the deserts and mountains to return to Egypt after forty long years of being away. What would happen to Moses？Would Pharaoh listen？Will the Hebrew leaders listen？Moses would have to depend on God for His help!
??在王宫里长大的人会是什么样呢？我们今天圣经故事里的摩西就是在王宫里长大的。OOH，让我们来想象和摩西一齐看着那闪闪发亮走廊，高高的大理石柱子，还有新家里各种色彩鲜艳的装饰品。我想，摩西一定拥有最好的东西：最高级的衣服，最好吃的食物，还有仆人照顾他，宠他。在埃及，没有人比摩西受的教育更好。他有最有学问的老师来叫他学习科学，数学，历史。圣经告诉我们，摩西被当做王子一样对待，而他也处处显出王子的样子。神的话告诉我们， 摩西学了埃及人一切的学问，说话行事都有才能 (使徒行传7：22)。
??当人们看见摩西的时候，他们肯定会想：OOH，多么英俊的埃及王子啊！ 虽然摩西说埃及人的话，吃他们的食物，看起来象是一个十足的埃及人，可是，他没有忘记他本来是一个希伯来人。当他渐渐长大，看到埃及人残酷地对待希伯来人，他感到很不平。
??当摩西40岁的时候，有一天他出去，见一个埃及人在打一个希伯来人。摩西实在不能忍受这样的不公平，他左右看看，见没有人，就把埃及人给打死了，藏在沙土里。他以为没有人知道。但是你知道谁在察看吗？对，是神！第二天摩西又出去，这次，他见有两个希伯来人在打架。摩西又要试图介入，劝阻他们。那欺负人的对摩西说：“谁立你作我们的首领和审判官呢？难道你要杀我，像杀那埃及人吗？”摩西知道他打死埃及人的罪不再是一个秘密。很快，连法老也听见这事，他就想杀摩西。
??感谢神恩待摩西，他逃离开了埃及。这位英俊的埃及王子，40岁以前的生活是那么舒适。可是现在，他得穿过炽热的沙漠，翻过高高的山，来逃命。摩西来到米甸这个地方，他在井旁坐下休息，这时，有七个姐妹，她们来打水，要喂她们父亲的羊。有一些很粗鲁的牧羊人来把她们赶走了。再一次，摩西起来帮忙。摩西一定很强壮，他赶走了所有的牧羊人，又饮了七个姐妹的羊群。这七个姐妹告诉她们的父亲这个陌生人怎样帮助她们。她们的父亲就让女儿们去请他来吃饭。听故事的女孩子们，你们肯定会喜欢这一段故事。圣经告诉我们，摩西不但来吃饭，他还和这一家人住在一起。后来，七个姐妹中的一个成为他的妻子。神祝福摩西不但找到一个安全的地方居住，还有一个充满爱的家庭，神还赐给他两个儿子。摩西成为一个父亲，丈夫，他还成为一个牧羊人，牧养他岳父的羊群。摩西这样度过了又一个40年。摩西会不会怀念他的家，和仍然在埃及做奴隶的希伯来人呢？我想他一定会的。
??一天，摩西领羊群往野外去，到了何烈山。突然，他看见奇怪的事情。一团荆棘被火烧着，却没有烧毁。摩西走过去要看清楚，他听到一个声音说：“摩西！摩西！”他说：“我在这里。”那声音说：“不要再往前走了，把你脚上的鞋脱下来，因为你所站之地是圣地。我是你父亲的神，是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。”摩西不只把脚上的鞋脱下来，他还蒙上脸。这不只是燃烧的荆棘，而是神的显现，神在对他说话。啊！摩西正站在这位圣洁，全能的创造主面前。
??让我们来想一想。如果是你站在那里，你会把脸蒙上吗？为什么？是因为你的罪。圣经告诉我们所有的人都犯了罪。我们都是不完美的。很多时候我们做不讨神喜悦的事，比如恨恶人的思想，说生气的话，找借口不做功课。这就是为什么神的话说我们是罪人。罪使我们与神分开。在神那神圣的同在里，在他那天上美丽圣洁的家里是不能有罪存在的。但是神的话告诉我们他爱罪人。罗马书第5章第8节说：“惟有基督耶稣在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。”神让耶稣到世上来，为我们承担了罪的惩罚，耶稣为我们的罪被钉在十字架上，痛苦的死去。在十字架上，耶稣流出宝贵的血，买赎我们的罪。他死了，被埋葬了，第三天他又复活了。现在主耶稣就在天上活着。当你相信主耶稣为你所作的，让他进入你的生命里，并原谅你的罪，他一定会的！他会原谅你的罪，使你洁净，能够来到神的面前。面对燃烧的荆棘，摩西知道他正站在圣洁，全能的创造主面前。
??神的话使摩西很惊讶。神说：“我的百姓在埃及所受的困苦，我实在是看见，听见了；我下来是要救他们脱离埃及人的手。我要打发你去见法老，使你可以将我的百姓以色列人从埃及领出来。”什么？摩西已经80岁了，他已经在沙漠里度过了40年。神却要派他去把他的百姓从埃及领出来。摩西开始打量他自己，看到他的软弱。“我是什么人，竟能去见法老，将以色列人从埃及领出来呢？”摩西实在觉得他作不了这么大的事。他对了，他当然不行！但是，帖撒罗尼迦前书第5章24节说：“那召你们的本是信实的，他必成就这事。”
??如果没有神的帮助，一个80岁的老人实在不能为神做什么大事。但神应允摩西他会得到神的帮助。神说：“我必与你同在。”摩西问神说：“我到以色列人那里，对他们说：是神打发我到你们这里来的。’可是他们若问我说：‘他叫什么名字？’我要对他们说什么呢？”小朋友们，你们会觉得这是一个奇特的名字。神对摩西说：“我是自有永有的。”又说：“你要对以色列人这样说：‘是那自有永有的打发我到你们这里来的。’”从这个名字，我们可以更了解神：他是昨日，今日，永远不变的神。他的全能和爱从来不改变。然后，神又让摩西告诉以色列百姓，他是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。
??可是摩西还是不敢去，他又找到一个借口，说：“他们不会相信我的。”神对摩西说：“你手里是什么？”他说：“是我牧羊用的杖。”神说：“丢在地上。”他一丢下去，那又硬又直的杖就变作一条滑溜溜的蛇。摩西赶快跑开。听故事的小朋友，你会不会呢？神对摩西说：“伸出手来拿住它的尾巴。”摩西照做，它又变成杖。还不只这些。神又对他说：“把手放在怀里。”他就把手放在怀里，抽出来，不料，手上长了大麻疯。神说：“再把手放在怀里。”他就再把手放在怀里，从怀里抽出来的时候，手已经复原了。
??神说，这两个神迹若以色列人都不信，也不听你的话，你就从河里取些水，倒在旱地上，你从河里取的水必在旱地上变作血。”这是多么令人惊奇的事！可是摩西还是找借口！摩西对神说：“主啊，我平时不太会讲话，拙口笨舌的。”神对他说：“谁造人的口呢？岂不是我吗？现在去吧！我必赐你口才，指教你所当说的话。”神将要借着摩西行大事。
??如果你认识主耶稣，那你就是神的孩子。他也要让你服侍他。但是，谁是真正作事的呢？是神！是神借着你在作事。让我们再说一遍今天学习的圣经经节：帖撒罗尼迦前书第5章24节说：“那召你们的本是信实的，他必成就这事。”
??神要借着摩西行一件大事。可是，OH，不，摩西又再一次推托！摩西说：“主啊，你愿意打发谁，就打发谁去吧！”圣经说虽然神向摩西发怒，但他仍然有耐心，他说：“你的哥哥亚伦是会说话的人。他要替你对百姓说话，而你要来行神迹。”摩西只好准备去埃及了。
??你知道吗？虽然摩西的哥哥会帮助他，仍然是神在行大事带领他的百姓！摩西回到他岳父那里，对他说他要回埃及去。得到岳父的同意，他很快穿过沙漠和高山回到离别40年的埃及。在那里会有什么事发生呢？法老会听摩西的话吗？以色列百姓会听摩西的话吗？摩西将要依靠神来帮助他。 |