Scripture: These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the clans of Simeon. These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years. The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father’s sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years. The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites. Eleazar, Aaron’s son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites by their clans.
These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said: “Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts.” It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt, this Moses and this Aaron.
On the day when the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, the LORD said to Moses, “I am the LORD; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” But Moses said to the LORD, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”
Exodus 6:14-30 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, in response to Moses’ despairing question of why the Lord sent him to speak to Pharaoh since nothing but trouble has ensued, Yahweh reiterates his promises. He reminds Moses that he is the God of Moses’ ancestors, a covenant keeper who will lead the nation to their Promised Land. Indeed, he has heard Israel’s groanings and will respond and redeem them. So, Moses speaks to Israel, but they do not listen because of their physical and emotional pain and despair.
Nonetheless, Yahweh again commands Moses to tell Pharaoh to let Israel leave. Still smarting from his fellow people’s rejection, Moses reminds God that Israel did not listen to him. Moses further contends that Pharaoh would not listen to Moses either, mainly because he speaks faltering words (uncircumcised lips). Regardless, God charges Moses and Aaron to bring Israel out of Egypt.
Today’s reading presents a unique segue as Moses uses a genealogical bridge to connect his audience with the historical context of Moses and Aaron. As such, he selectively focuses on three of Jacob’s twelve sons, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi—primarily emphasizing Levi, as Moses and Aaron are his descendants. Moses concludes his list by rephrasing verses 10-13, which encapsulate God’s command (tell Pharaoh to let Israel leave Egypt) and Moses’ response (Pharaoh will not listen to him because he has uncircumcised/faltering lips).
Takeaway: The list is atypical for two reasons. First, as implied above, it is incomplete (selectively focusing on only three sons). Second, the ancestral tree does not focus on the oldest but younger sons to trace to Aaron and Moses’ lineage. The implication? God chose Moses to lead his people out of bondage. Moses possessed nothing, in particular, to commend himself to God. He neither possessed the birthright of the eldest son nor could claim ancestral pedigree, for Levi committed the horrid crime of genocide (Genesis 34:25-31). Moreover, he lacked adeptness of speech (4:10).
Additionally, Jacob cursed Levi and Simeon for their heinous crime, pronouncing that their progeny would not claim land but settle among the other tribes (Genesis 49:3-4). Still, Levi’s descendants would devote themselves to God, reversing the curse into a blessing. But, in each instance, God initiates and is their power source. Thus, all they and Moses would need to succeed is the name of their Lord: Yahweh (v.29).
Our takeaway? Our Triune God calls all of us to carry forward the mission regardless of our shortcomings and past failures. Specifically, the Son commands us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-19), liberating others from bondage. Indeed, when we come together and pronounce his name by faith, he is present with us (Matthew 18:20), and his presence brings transformative power that reverses curses and strengthens us to do more than we can imagine.
Our part? Like Moses, we must stop making excuses and go. We do not have to be eloquent in speech or have a Christian pedigree. We only need to step outside our comfort zone and go, trusting that Jesus is with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). When we do, when we go and declare his glorious name, we will see a transformation not only in others but in ourselves.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who always sought to go and bring glory to your name, whether the prodigy child engaging with the Rabbis in the temple, the miracle-making healer of bodies and souls, or the suffering servant who received the death penalty we all deserve. Still, our gratitude only sometimes translates to obedience. So, please help us call on your name by faith to tap into the power of your Holy Spirit so that we might go, declare you and your Son’s glorious names, and witness transformation in others and ourselves. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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