David volunteers to follow the Philistines into war but the Philistine leaders rebuke him and send him away. David remains in favor with Achish as he leaves the Philistines in peace and they battle the Israelites on their own. This release from service was a blessing because David had to rescue his wives and family as well as the families of his men from the raiding Amalekites.
The people of Israel didn’t follow Moshe (Moses) initially. Moshe didn’t believe that Pharaoh would hear him either. God affirmed Moshe yet God told Moshe and Aaron to go to Pharaoh anyway. God had a plan to elevate Moshe and Aharon (Aaron) in the eyes of Pharaoh and the people of Israel. The first three plagues were unleashed on Mitsraim (Egypt) but the magicians of Mitsraim have the same power and Pharaoh doesn’t want to believe that the hand of the Creator is at work in Moshe and Aharon.
One common smear against God in recent times is that He is “an absentee landlord” or “a blind watchmaker” Who may have set everything in motion but now doesn’t care or doesn’t get involved. Many then blame Him for the evil and suffering that goes on in the world, particularly to those who it appears to us don’t deserve it, such as a dying family member or a starving child. A common slight against the book of Esther is that it doesn’t directly mention the name of the LORD, as the other books of the Bible do. However, the clear totality of the account is that He is very much at work in making evil plans turn back upon themselves to bring the promise of a blessing for the whole world — Messiah — through Abraham’s descendants. This would happen, even when the promise seemed to have been abandoned along with the people of Israel in Persia.
Hallel Fellowship celebrated Purim with a fun take on the deadly serious account of the thwarted genocide of the Yehudim (Jews) living in exile in Persia in the fifth century B.C.E.
In today’s discussion, we explored Exodus 6, focusing on God’s promise to deliver Israel and the meaning behind His name, “I Am, that I Am.” We talked about Moses’ doubts, the Israelites’ broken spirits under oppression, and how God’s actions fulfill His promises. The group reflected on the importance of faith during hardship, the pattern of God revealing Himself, and the significance of genealogy in understanding Israel’s story. We also connected these lessons to our own spiritual journeys.
As Saul faced his end, he became so frustrated with God’s silence that he sought out counsel in a way he knew was wrong. David, on the other hand, considered coming back to Israel alongside the Philistine army but is rebuffed just as Saul was rebuffed by God — and Samuel.
Moshe (Moses) returned to Mitsraim (Egypt) and found Aharon (Aaron) was willing to help him accomplish the task God gave him to do. However, Moshe and his wife Tzipporah have a life-and-death confrontation with God first, and she saved them all by quickly circumcising a son. Once Aharon and Moshe set God’s plan into motion, they face Pharaoh and hit their first roadblock.