Applying Moses' Trust in God's Provision and Sovereignty
Moses' trust in God's provision and sovereignty is a central theme in the Pentateuch, particularly evident during the Exodus narrative. This trust was not always immediate or unwavering, but it developed through direct encounters with God and observation of His mighty acts [9].
One of the most significant demonstrations of Moses' trust occurred at the Red Sea. Faced with the pursuing Egyptian army and the impassable sea, Moses declared to the Israelites, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today" [4]. This statement reflects a profound confidence in God's ability to deliver, even when the means were unknown to Moses himself [4]. The subsequent parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian forces led Israel to fear the Lord and believe in Him and in Moses, His servant [2, 5]. This event underscored God's power and His commitment to His people, reinforcing Moses' role as His chosen instrument [5].
Moses' intercessory prayers also highlight his trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness. When the Israelites rebelled in the wilderness, God threatened to disinherit them. Moses appealed to God's reputation and His covenant promises, reminding Him that His faithfulness was bound up with Israel's destiny [3, 6]. This act of intercession demonstrates Moses' understanding that God's character and His word were reliable, even when the people's actions warranted severe judgment [3].
However, Moses' trust was not without its challenges. At times, he questioned God's ability to provide, such as when the people complained about lack of meat in the wilderness. God responded by asking, "Is the Lord's hand waxed short?" reminding Moses of His limitless power demonstrated in creation and past miracles [8]. Similarly, Moses initially hesitated to accept his commission, citing his own speech impediment. God addressed this objection by emphasizing His role as the author of nature, capable of overcoming any human limitation [9, 10]. These instances reveal that while Moses was a figure of great faith, his journey involved learning to fully rely on God's omnipotence and provision, rather than his own perceived capabilities or the apparent impossibilities of a situation [10].
Moses' life serves as an example of faithful obedience to God, contrasting with Israel's frequent disobedience [7]. His trust was rooted in the understanding that God is the one true God, the sole object of worship and obedience [1, 11]. This foundational belief in God's unity and supreme authority provided the basis for Moses' unwavering commitment to His commands and His people [1, 11].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
- Exodus “Exodus 14:31 (NASB) — When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.”
- Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 14:13: 14:13-25 Moses interceded on behalf of his people, reminding God that his reputation was bound up with that of Israel and appealing to his faithfulness.”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 14:13: 14:13-14 One person, at least, had learned the lesson of the plagues and applied it to this crisis of faith. Moses did not know what God would do, but in one of the great statements of faith in the Bible, Moses declared his confidence in God. It was not the Lord who would fail, but the Egyptians.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 14:31: AND THEY BELIEVED IN THE LORD. They believed that the Lord is truth 153 Unchanging and Ultimate Being. Cf. Mishneh Torah, Mada 1:3,4: “The Truth of His being is incomparable to the truth of any other individual being…He alone is the Truth, and no other being possesses a truth similar to His Truth.” and that Moses is His servant and will do only that which the Lord commands him to do.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Harmony of the Law, Vol. 1, section 12.2: But since, in setting forth the hope of redemption, He renews the memory of His covenant, we gather that it was not obliterated from the heart of Moses; because it would have been absurd so to speak of a thing unknown; nor would it have been of any use to make mention of promises of which no recollection existed in the heart of Moses. Since, therefore, the hope of the redemption of the chosen people depended on the covenant which God had formerly made with the patriarchs, He shews that He had not been trusted to in vain, because His engagement ”
- Hosea (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hosea 12:13: 12:13 by a prophet: Moses’ faithful obedience to God contrasts with Israel’s disobedience.”
- Numbers (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Numbers 11:23: And the Lord said unto Moses,.... In answer to his objection, without upbraiding him with his sin of unbelief: is the Lord's hand waxed short? or his power diminished since the creation, when he formed all things out of nothing, and what is it then he is not able to do? or since he wrought the wonders in Egypt, divided the Red sea, rained down manna from heaven, and smote the rock at Horeb, from whence waters flowed sufficient for all this people, and their flocks and herds; and he that did all this could give them flesh that would suffice them a whole month, see ”
- Exodus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Exodus 4 (introduction): This chapter, I. Continues and concludes God's discourse with Moses at the bush concerning this great affair of bringing Israel out of Egypt. 1. Moses objects the people's unbelief (Exo 4:1), and God answers that objection by giving him a power to work miracles, (1.) To turn his rod into a serpent, and then into a rod again (Exo 4:2-5). (2.) To make his hand leprous, and then whole again (Exo 4:6-8). (3.) To turn the water into blood (Exo 4:9). 2. Moses objects his own slowness of speech (Exo 4:10), and begs to be excused (Exo 4:13); but God answers th”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Harmony of the Law, Vol. 1, section 17.4: at any moment, it was wrong of Moses to hesitate, as if in surprise, because he possessed not natural freedom of speech; as if it were not possible for the author of nature to remedy this disadvantage. But while it is good to magnify the immense power of God, in removing all the hinderances which oppose us, so must we beware of resting upon it indiscriminately, as though it were subject to our fancies. For we see men, whilst they too boldly undertake whatever their own lusts suggest, shielding themselves with this thought, that all means and ev”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 26:16: Two things Moses here urges to enforce all these precepts: - 1. That they were the commands of God, Deu 26:16. They were not the dictates of his own wisdom, nor were they enacted by any authority of his own, but infinite wisdom framed them, and the power of the King of kings made them binding to them: "The Lord thy God commands thee, therefore thou art bound in duty and gratitude to obey him, and it is at thy peril if thou disobey. They are his laws, therefore thou shalt do them, for to that end were they given thee: do them and not dispute them, do them and”