… he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor.
Christians are called to satisfy the needs of the oppressed (Isaiah 58:7-10), but we often don’t know where to start or how to help. We can look at the life of Moses and see that serving requires two essential first steps.
“One day after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.” Exodus 2:11
Moses was a Hebrew born during their time of persecution by the Egyptians. He would have been a slave if the Lord had not saved him out of that situation and placed him in the care of Pharaoh’s daughter. Instead of experiencing the harshness of Hebrew life at that time, Moses grew up in a palace. We see in Exodus 2:11 that he decided to go out to where his people were being forced to labor for the Egyptians. He was aware that the Hebrews were enslaved, but it didn’t break his heart until he saw the abuse up close. Most of us have knowledge of the injustices happening in our world, but until our lives touch the lives of those who are hurting we will remain disconnected. We must leave the comfort of our “palace” if we want to serve those in need.
Moses grew up wealthy and lived the life of Egyptian royalty. He had nothing in common with the Hebrew slaves besides being of the same race, yet he calls them “his own people.” In order to serve, we must see ourselves and others as people created in the image of God regardless of our varying positions in life. Wealth should not separate us. It should be a tool to meet the needs of others.
What injustice in the world breaks your heart? How are you using your resources to help the needs of others? Read Exodus 1-14 for a closer examination of Moses’ leading of the Hebrews.
takeyourposition.wordpress.com 