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To awaken the minds of Christians to pray for their leaders. It is our duty and a mark of recognition of their labors over us and the flock of God
To awaken the minds of Christians to pray for their leaders. It is our duty and a mark of recognition of their labors over us and the flock of God
Moses was a mighty man of God in word and in deed. He was brought up in Pharaoh's palace. He was born to a Hebrew parents but brought up as Pharoah's daughter adopted son. By implication, he was born into wealth and royalty. He could possibly had ended up as the next Pharaoh in Egypt. After the Lord appeared to him, He hesitated initially but later accepted the call of God upon his life. He went back to a place where his life was sought after to be killed by the former Pharaoh in the land only to confront the sitting king to let the children of Isreal go and return back to Canaan land.
Moses lived for 120 years (Deuteronomy 34 vs 7). His lifetime can be divided into 3 sections: 40,40,40.
First 40 years born and brought up by his mother as Pharaoh daughter's son until he became of age. He later got into trouble when in his jealousy, slew an Egyptian for oppressing an Hebrew. Later the next day, He saw two hebrews quarreling and decided to settle the quarrel, there and then, one of the hebrews men accused him of killing an Egyptian. It became noised about that Moses turned his back on his Egyptian benefactor and he ran away from Egypt to save his own life (Exodus 2 vs 9 - 15).
And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
The Next 40 years was lived as shepherd with his father in-law, Midian, who gave him accommodation and source of living . Moses later married his daughter, Zipporah and was a family man until the Lord appeared to him at the back of Mount Sinai in what is referred to as the burning bush experience (Exodus 2 vs 16 - 25, 3: 1 -5).
Like every human being, he hesitated to leave his cosy family lifestyle to pursue a confrontational career with Pharaoh. But God convinced and promised to help him to deliver the children of Isreal from the grip of oppression of the Egyptians. God is faithful. Moses went back to Egypt, confronted Pharaoh several times and through God's display of supremacy Moses brought the children out of Egypt.
The Last 40 years of Moses' Life was spent leading the children of Isreal out of Egypt into Canaan. This part forms the focus of this article.
Moses service to the Lord was sacrificial in every aspect.
Then came a day the unfortunate incident happened. Moses disobeyed God in striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock. Obviously he was carried away with the incorrigible attitude of the children of Isreal. They murmured their requests rather than simply asking in faith. Unfortunately, many believers today share this ungodly character. God disciplined him and took the privilege of entering the land of Canaan which he labored to bring to children of Isreal to (Numbers 20 vs 1 - 13). Then comes the moment to ask this interesting question.
Moses was not only a prophet to the people, he was also an intercessor (Numbers 11 vs 1, 2). He prayed several times to God to forgive, save and deliver the children of Isreal. But one wonders why when the discipline came upon Moses, there was no record of anyone or the congregation prayed to God for Moses. Maybe because the majority of the people had no good standing with God or simple faith in God since most of their time was spent looking back to Egypt instead of focusing on the milk and honey God was going to give them in Canaan or maybe they do not know their rights and privilege afforded them by God. If the whole congregation humbled themselves and prayed, God will hear them and answer their prayer (2 Chronicles 7: 14)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
If you have not been doing these, repent today and include prayers for our leaders in our prayer schedule and the Lord will not only bless them but bless you and use this same leaders to be a channel of blessings to you.
Stay blessed!!
