IvoryEagle

I do not believe they were stubborn, but stuck, overwhelmed, and fearful. It is somewhat sacrificial. God has to command them to shock them into action. It is no longer a choice of action but a choice of obedience or rebellion. Since they know and love God, they now must TRUST God. The rebellion is out of the question. It is here we see: "obedience is better than sacrifice." 1 Samuel 15:22

Because obeying God ALWAYS involve connecting our obedience to others. Unlike Pharoah, who was NOT pretending to obey God, many of the people we are connected to in obedience CLAIM to be connected to God, with all the trimmings to prove it. There is a double-mindedness that prevails. Fear is always to be faced. Courage feels fear but moves forward in spite of it. Courage is needed to move the "pack" ahead to another level. It is what disciples and leaders do. Joshua 1

We are afraid because we don't know what God knows. He knows we do not know. He says in Isaiah 55:8-11, His thoughts and ways are not ours; however, His Word never returns void. He knows who He is; we are ever learning to know Him and to trust him. We are to face the fear and do it anyway. Frankly, once we really begin to know God's ways; even the unthinkable makes sense as He is always proving that "nothing is impossible with God." Courage is always required in leaders and disciples because people are always watching and waiting to be amazed. As they watch the leaders, they grow confidence and the desire to follow the leader. It is the job of the leader to replicate themselves. Just as a child learn to do things by watching parents and older siblings, we learn by watching our leaders.

I am excited about this study. I conduct a "Community Bible Study" in the greater Atlanta, Georgia area. We are now deep into Exodus. The Bible is coming alive in the hearts and minds of people. This Bible Study is at best described in ECCL 3:1, there is a time for everything, especially a global Bible Study. Thank you Pastor Ralph!