After the Israelites had received the Ten Commandments and the lifestyle instructions that are recorded in Exodus 20-24 they responded fervently: "Everything the LORD has said we will do."
It didn't last long!
Moses went up on Mount Sinai to receive instructions about the Priesthood and the Tabernacle. He was there for 40 days and nights. While he was in the presence of God, things were going wrong amongst the Israelites - they'd made a golden calf and were revelling around it.
God is very very angry and Moses intercedes - more than once - on behalf of his people. It is our text verse for today that shows us what separates the shepherds from the hirelings - Moses is so committed to them that he binds his fate with theirs.
But there is more: Moses has been in the presence of God for 40 days. He has heard God's voice, he has seen God's plans - he has a good idea of what God is like. This idea of what God is like is confirmed a chapter or two later when Moses says: "Show me Your glory" and God hides Moses in a cleft of a rock and reveals Himself with these words: "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." (Exo34:6-7)
You see, not only is Moses committed to his people, he is committed to his God - He is convinced that God is able, gracious and willing to forgive. If this is not the case, Moses would rather be blotted out of God's book.
This is the difference between a shepherd and a hireling: A shepherd protects the sheep and really, truly knows the Great Shepherd. A hireling doesn't.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
