15,16 Apr -- In My Staff I Trvst

The readings for Sun 15 and Mon 16 April are -- Ex 7:1-8:32; Ps 18:7-12; Pro 3:33-35; Mt 21:12-27.

In Sunday night's sermon, I suggested that God was dealing with some of Moses' deep personal issues when he told him to throw down his staff. Issues such as self-esteem, attachment, security, identity, purpose. A question to ponder -- What might God be telling you and me to "throw down"?

The first reference to Moses' staff after the burning bush is a highly significant one. "And Moses took God's staff in his hand" (Ex 4:20). It's now God's, but he has the use of it. I think (though not all would agree) that this is the same staff Aaron uses and which is sometimes called his staff. Moses and Aaron (his brother and spokesman) act as one in confronting Pharaoh and they share the staff. But it's God's staff. (See also Ex 17:9). Another question to ponder -- What does God give to us to use on the understanding that it's really His?