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surrounded him in Egyptthe love of his foster mother； his own high
position as the king's grandson； the dissipation on every hand； the
refinement； the subtlety； and the mysticism of a false religion； the
splendor of idolatrous worship； the solemn grandeur of architecture and
sculptureall had left deep impressions upon his developing mind and had
molded； to some extent； his habits and character。 Time； change of
surroundings； and communion with God could remove these impressions。 It
would require on the part of Moses himself a struggle as for life to
renounce error and accept truth； but God would be his helper when the
conflict should be too severe for human strength。
In all who have been chosen to accomplish a work for God the human element
is seen。 Yet they have not been men of stereotyped habits and character； who
were satisfied to remain in that condition。 They earnestly desired to obtain
wisdom from God and to learn to work for Him。 Says the apostle； 〃If any of
you lack wisdom； let him ask of God； that giveth to all men liberally； and
upbraideth not； and it shall be given him。〃 James 1：5。 But God will not
impart to men divine light while they are content to remain in darkness。 In
order to receive God's help； man must realize his weakness and deficiency；
he must apply his own mind to the great change to be wrought in himself； he
must be aroused to earnest and persevering prayer and effort。 Wrong habits
and customs must be shaken off； and it is only by determined endeavor to
correct these errors and to conform to right principles that the victory can
be gained。 Many never attain to the position that they might occupy； because
they wait for God to do for them that which He has given them power to do
for themselves。 All who are fitted for usefulness must be trained by the
severest mental and moral discipline； and God will assist them by uniting
divine power with human effort。
Shut in by the bulwarks of the mountains； Moses was alone
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with God。 The magnificent temples of Egypt no longer impressed his mind with
their superstition and falsehood。 In the solemn grandeur of the everlasting
hills he beheld the majesty of the Most High； and in contrast realized how
powerless and insignificant were the gods of Egypt。 Everywhere the Creator's
name was written。 Moses seemed to stand in His presence and to be
over…shadowed by His power。 Here his pride and self…sufficiency were swept
away。 In the stern simplicity of his wilderness life； the results of the
ease and luxury of Egypt disappeared。 Moses became patient； reverent； and
humble； 〃very meek； above all the men which were upon the face of the earth〃
（Numbers 12：3）； yet strong in faith in the mighty God of Jacob。
As the years rolled on； and he wandered with his flocks in solitary places；
pondering upon the oppressed condition of his people； he recounted the
dealings of God with his fathers and the promises that were the heritage of
the chosen nation； and his prayers for Israel ascended by day and by night。
Heavenly angels shed their light around him。 Here； under the inspiration of
the Holy Spirit； he wrote the book of Genesis。 The long years spent amid the
desert solitudes were rich in blessing； not alone to Moses and his people；
but to the world in all succeeding ages。
〃And it came to pass in process of time； that the king of Egypt died： and
the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage； and they cried； and
their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage。 And God heard their
groaning； and God remembered His covenant with Abraham； with Isaac； and with
Jacob。 And God looked upon the children of Israel； and God had respect unto
them。〃 The time for Israel's deliverance had come。 But God's purpose was to
be accomplished in a manner to pour contempt on human pride。 The deliverer
was to go forth as a humble shepherd； with only a rod in his hand； but God
would make that rod the symbol of His power。 Leading his flocks one day near
Horeb； 〃the mountain of God；〃 Moses saw a bush in flames； branches； foliage；
and trunk； all burning； yet seeming not to be consumed。 He drew near to view
the wonderful sight； when a voice from out of the flame called him by name。
With trembling lips he answered； 〃Here am I。〃 He was warned not to approach
irreverently： 〃Put off thy shoes from off thy feet； for the place whereon
thou standest is holy ground。 。 。 。 I am the God
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of thy father； the God of Abraham； the God of Isaac； and the God of Jacob。〃
It was He who； as the Angel of the covenant； had revealed Himself to the
fathers in ages past。 〃And Moses hid his face； for he was afraid to look
upon God。〃
Humility and reverence should characterize the deportment of all who come
into the presence of God。 In the name of Jesus we may come before Him with
confidence； but we must not approach Him with the boldness of presumption；
as though He were on a level with ourselves。 There are those who address the
great and all…powerful and holy God； who dwelleth in light unapproachable；
as they would address an equal； or even an inferior。 There are those who
conduct themselves in His house as they would not presume to do in the
audience chamber of an earthly ruler。 These should remember that they are in
His sight whom seraphim adore； before whom angels veil their faces。 God is
greatly to be reverenced； all who truly realize His presence will bow in
humility before Him； and； like Jacob beholding the vision of God； they will
cry out； 〃How dreadful is this place！ This is none other but the house of
God； and this is the gate of heaven。〃
As Moses waited in reverent awe before God the words continued： 〃I have
surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt； and have heard
their cry by reason of their taskmasters； for I know their sorrows； and I am
come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians； and to bring
them up out of that land unto a good land and a large； unto a land flowing
with milk and honey。 。 。 。 Come now therefore； and I will send thee unto
Pharaoh； that thou mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out
of Egypt。〃
Amazed and terrified at the command； Moses drew back； saying； 〃Who am I；
that I should go unto Pharaoh； and that I should bring forth the children of
Israel out of Egypt？〃 The reply was； 〃Certainly I will be with thee； and
this shall be a token unto thee； that I have sent thee： When thou hast
brought forth the people out of Egypt； ye shall serve God upon this
mountain。〃
Moses thought of the difficulties to be encountered； of the blindness；
ignorance； and unbelief of his people； many of whom were almost destitute of
a knowledge of God。 〃Behold；〃 he said； 〃when I come unto the children of
Israel； and shall say unto
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them； The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you； and they shall say to
me； What is His name？ what shall I say unto them？〃 The answer was
〃I Am That I Am。〃 〃Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel； I Am
hath sent me unto you。〃
Moses was commanded first to assemble the elders