January 21, 2026 - Exodus 3-4

What a story Moses tells us!  Movies have been made of this story, the oppression of Israel in Egypt, the birth of Moses, the Egyptian’s death and the flight of Moses, the burning bush, Moses’ excuses, God’s assurances and miracles, and Moses’ return to Egypt.  Moses spoke to the people in Egypt, and “the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped” (4:31).  Like us, the people of Israel were very wrong in their responses to the Lord but they got it right, this time.  In thankfulness and with great hope, they bowed their heads and worshiped their deliverer.  The psalmist, when God had delivered him, thanked God for what he had done:   “I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me” (Psalm 30:1).  Not only that, the psalmists and other writers often invite others to join in giving thanks, e.g.,  “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name” (Psalm 30:4).

Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom his world rejoices;

who from our mothers’ arms

has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.   -- Martin Rinkart (1636)