Exodus 4:18-23 - Homilies By J. Urquhart

True faith and its joy.

I. THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH .

1 . Note Moses' swift compliance with God's command. He tarried no longer: "He went and returned, and said, let me go." He does not seek advice. He does not even wait for a convenient opportunity of urging his request. We must wait neither upon time nor men. If God has spoken, we must obey.

2 . His wise reticence. He said nothing of what he had seen and heard. These experiences are a holy place where the soul meets alone with God. Where this holy place is profaned the soul suffers loss.

II. CONSOLATIONS ABOUND ALONG THE PATHWAY OF OBEDIENT FAITH .

1 . Moses receives Jethro's permission and blessing.

2 . Fears are removed ( Exodus 4:19 ).

3 . He passes on with the consciousness of power: he "took the rod of God in his hand."

4 . He has the assurance of victory. Pharaoh's heart will be hardened, yet there is one judgment in reserve which will bow that heart to compliance with the will of God ( Exodus 4:22 , Exodus 4:23 ). The cause of God cannot be defeated. As we go on in obedience to God's commandment our advance is a continuous discovery of God's goodness. The lions which we saw in the distance are chained, and do not harm us.— U .