Ex.7:1–7: The Shepherd Prepared by God/Lord's Day

Ex.7:1–7: The Shepherd Prepared by God

7:1-7, 1.Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. 2.You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. 3.But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, 4.he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. 5.And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it." 6.Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them. 7.Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.

<English Sermon Summary>
God hears and answers the cries of His suffering people(3:7). However, rather than acting directly in most cases, He works through people He has prepared. Moses’ 120-year life illustrates how God molds and utilizes an individual.
1. God prepares people within their families and daily lives(2:1,9,10)
Born into a family of faith, Moses learned his identity and mission, while receiving training in scholarship and leadership within the royal court. God did not let any of his time or experiences go to waste. Our own families, workplaces, education, and even times of waiting can be part of God’s preparation process.
2. God empties and molds people in the wilderness(3:2-5)
Although Moses appeared to be a failure in the wilderness, God appeared to him in the burning bush. The bush that burned without being consumed symbolizes the grace of God’s presence sustaining both the Israelites and Moses himself. By telling Moses to "take off his sandals," God called him to lay aside his own methods and agendas and to stand before God’s sovereignty.

3. God sends the prepared person to bring about salvation(7:1-7)
God positioned Moses before Pharaoh to act as a representative of His authority. The ten plagues were not merely acts of judgment but a work of salvation revealing that God is the true God. Yet, Pharaoh proposed compromises: "Believe in moderation," "Don't go too far," or "Leave your families and possessions behind." We face similar temptations today. While Moses was the shepherd who led the people out of Egypt, Jesus is the true Shepherd who saves us from sin and death. Whereas Moses acted as a spokesperson for God’s word, Jesus is the Word of God who came in the flesh. Just as Moses led the people across the Red Sea, Jesus opened the path to eternal life for us through His cross and resurrection. While Moses received the promise, "I will be with you," Jesus speaks to us even now: "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Resolution: I will believe that the passing moments of my life are part of God’s process of preparation. I will seek God’s presence above success or failure. I will lay down the "shoes" I have yet to remove—my pride, greed, and desire for validation. I will live as a messenger of God’s salvation in my home and workplace.
Prayer: Loving God, just as You prepared Moses over many years, please mold our lives within Your hands. Let us not grow arrogant in the success of the palace, nor discouraged during the waiting times of the wilderness. Help us to remove the shoes we have yet to lay down and to obey Your voice. Even if we are like a humble burning bush, may we live carrying Your presence and serve as true shepherds who resemble Jesus Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

<Bible Study> Theme:God hears the cry of His people and accomplishes His salvation through prepared people
1. Observation (What does the text say?)
Focus on Ex.3:7 - God hears thecry and sufferingof His people in Egypt, God chooses to work not only directly, but also through aprepared person—Moses. Moses’ life is divided into three stages: 1) Raised and trained in Pharaoh’s palace (Ex.2:1–10) 2) 40 years in the wilderness of Midian (Ex.3:2–5) 3) Called and sent as God’s representative (Ex.7:1–7)
*Key scenes:God appears in the burning bush(Ex.3:2–5). “Take off your sandals” command. Moses standing before Pharaoh. The ten plagues revealing God’s power.
2. Interpretation (What does it mean?)
1) God prepares a person through every stage of life. Moses was trained in Pharaoh’s palace, shaped by his Hebrew identity, and refined in the wilderness. God does not waste time or experiences. Even waiting seasons, failures, and transitions are part of His preparation
2) God empties and reshapes people in the wilderness. Moses in the wilderness looked like a failure, but God met him there. The burning bush represents God’sholy presence and sustaining grace. “Take off your sandals” means surrendering pride, control, and personal ways before God
3️) God sends the prepared person to bring deliverance. Moses becomes God’s spokesperson before Pharaoh. The ten plagues reveal God’s sovereignty and salvation. Pharaoh offers compromise: “Don’t go too far, stay halfway committed”. This same temptation still exists today: partial obedience vs. full obedience. ✝️Connection to Jesus Christ: Moses led Israel out of physical slavery. Jesus delivers us from sin and death. Moses spoke God’s words. Jesus is the Word made flesh(Jn.1:14). Moses had the promise “I will be with you Jesus promises, “I am with you always”(Mt.28:20)
3. Application (How does this apply to me?)
Personal reflection questions: Do I believe my current season is part of God’s preparation? Do I see waiting or failure as wasted time instead of formation? Am I holding onto my own control instead of trusting God?
Life application: Family:Am I becoming someone God can use in my home through my attitude and words? Work/School:Am I faithful where I am, believing it is part of God’s training? Spiritual life:Am I willing to “take off my sandals” before God in humility?
Spiritual warning Like Pharaoh’s compromise(“don’t go too far”), we are tempted towardpartial obedience. God calls for full surrender, not halfway faith
4. Commitment (Response)
I commit to: Trust that my present season is God’s preparation process. Seek God’s presence more than success or failure. Lay down my pride, desires, and need for recognition. Live as someone who brings God’s salvation into my family and workplace. Trust Jesus, who is always with me until the end of the age. Amen!