subject: What Do You Think It Is, God? [print this page] He also, in verse 26, walked away from the treasures of Egypt. See the word treasures in verse 26, he regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt. He knew the peace of God again was more valuable than possessions, and at that time, all the wealth was concentrated right there in Egypt. He had it all. He was the new Pharaoh. Billions and billions and billions of dollars. He left it, though, because he asked himself this priority question. What are my priorities? Whats important to me? He saw that which was invisible and he knew the typical things wouldnt satisfy.
Theres a fourth question, though, and this is called the difficulty question. This is where it all happens here. This is where the rubber meets the road. Difficulty question. And heres the difficulty question, Am I willing to let go? Am I willing to let go? The difficulty question. Moses had to let go two times in his life. The first time is in verse 27 of Hebrews 11. By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the kings wrath. He persevered because he saw Him who was invisible. You see, Moses had visualization going on. Visualization is not a new age term. Its a biblical term. Its a New Age term if you examine your navel and you visualize a crystal. Visualization, though, is a great thing if you visualize the proper things, which is what Christ wants to do with your life and my life.
The second thing Moses dealt with and the second instance where he had to let go, is really where we want to concentrate. Take a giant turn to the book of Exodus. Exodus 4 and here is the scene. Moses, forty years in the wilderness. Moses hearing this all day [sheep bleating]. Hot, arid climate. He was tired of the desert. Suddenly God appears to him and God says, Moses, I am choosing you to deliver your people from slavery. And what does Moses say in verse 1? Moses said, God, listen, you have got the wrong guy. Moses God Moses, I want you to do it. God, I cannot do it. Finally, God asks Moses this question, Moses, what do you hold in your hand? God, what do you think it is? Its a staff, God; and this is my identity, God. You see, I use this to ward off wild beasts. I use this to negotiate difficult terrain. I use this staff to lean on. According to Ed Young Jr this staff is really my connection with my life, God. A staff. What do you think it is, God?
Then God said something I think is kind of strange. Moses, throw the staff down. God, Moses was saying, youre talking about this staff? On the ground? No, no. God, thats kind of odd. Throw it on the ground, Moses. God, time out. Why do you? Throw it on the ground. Moses takes the staff, his identity, and he throws it on the ground and this shepherds staff becomes a snake. Most experts believe it became a king cobra and Moses did what most of us do, Ahh! Hes cruising from the snake. God says, Moses, stop! [Screeching sound] God, wait a minute. Its a cobra.
