DAY 21

FEAR – ANGER & GOD

Exodus 1, 2 & 3 and Matthew 14:1-21

Ever been afraid? Ever been angry? Today we have examples of people who are trying to follow God, and some who are not. Both groups give in to their fears. It is interesting to note God's behavior in all this.

Exodus 1-3 introduces us to the story of Moses. We read of how the situation for Jacob’s family, the Israelites, really changed for the worse. In the middle of an edict of infanticide, Moses is rescued, raised in the royal court, but becomes a murderer, flees, and our reading ends with a reluctant Moses at the Burning Bush. 

A few things catch my attention. The first is the Pharaoh’s reaction. In verse 9 he gives voice to his fear. His fear leads him to order the midwives to kill the Hebrew sons, and when they do not, his anger leads him to order everyone to “cast into the Nile” all Hebrew sons.

With Moses, born of the priestly Levite caste, he too gets angry and he thinks he has killed an Egyptian in secret. We never really do anything in secret. God sees all (cf. Job 34: 21-22).

Yet with this inauspicious start, God chooses Moses. This is a theme we saw in Genesis and I really need to get this through my thick skull – God uses very imperfect people – imperfect and RELUCTANT. Did you note the number of times Moses tries to talk God out of this plan and this will continue into chapter 4!

Matthew 14:1-21 begins with a fearful Herod. We read of how he is afraid that John the Baptist has come back to life. We also read the story of how John was killed. It is a story that is full of fear (it says he feared the people in verse 5) and he no doubt feared going back on his promise to Herodias’ daughter.

The Scripture says when Jesus heard this he withdrew to a desolate place. You might ask, “Heard what?” The answer is he heard that Herod had “heard about him.” Is Jesus afraid? I think not. He is cautious. He is not foolish.

While he tried to withdraw great crowds followed him. What does he do? He does miracles. He feeds 5, 000+ people, he walks on water, and he heals the sick at Gennesaret.

While Jesus walked on water, so did Peter. What happens when Peter becomes afraid in verse 30? He sinks.

In both readings today we see humans making poor choices because of fear and anger. Pharaoh begins a campaign of infanticide while Moses becomes a murder. Herod is a murderer while Peter sinks. In the midst of both God is faithful. God encourages and prompts Moses to be His deliverer for the Israelites. For Peter there will be more fear and failure, but God will not give up on him.

We see that all humans make poor choices out of fear. We also see for those who are trying to serve God, that God is faithful. God speaks to Moses that famous title, I AM WHO I AM.” Indeed Peter, the only one who got out of the boat and tried, is the only one who knows what it is like to have the hand of God literally reach down and save him! Today we see that in the midst of our fears, and we have them, God is steadfast and faithful. God's behavior does not change. In fact His behavior is such that his plans will not be thwarted. Moses will be Israel's deliverer. Peter will build the Church - both men will fulfill God's plan, despite their anger, their fear and themselves.