Topical Bible: God: Special Grace: To Moses

◄ God: Special Grace: To Moses ►

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The concept of special grace refers to the unique and unmerited favor that God bestows upon individuals for specific purposes within His divine plan. In the biblical narrative, Moses stands as a quintessential recipient of God's special grace, chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and to receive the Law on their behalf.

Divine Selection and Calling

Moses' life is marked by God's sovereign choice and intervention. From his miraculous preservation as an infant (Exodus 2:1-10) to his divine calling at the burning bush, God's special grace is evident. In Exodus 3:10, God commissions Moses, saying, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt" . This calling is not based on Moses' merit but on God's purpose and promise to the patriarchs.

Empowerment and Guidance

God's special grace is further manifested in the empowerment and guidance provided to Moses. Despite Moses' initial reluctance and self-doubt (Exodus 4:10-13), God assures him of His presence and provision. In Exodus 4:12, God declares, "Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say" . This divine assistance underscores the grace that enables Moses to fulfill his daunting mission.

Revelation of the Divine Name

A profound aspect of God's special grace to Moses is the revelation of His divine name. In Exodus 3:14, God reveals Himself as "I AM WHO I AM" , a declaration of His eternal and self-existent nature. This revelation not only affirms God's covenantal faithfulness but also establishes Moses' authority as God's chosen messenger.

Miraculous Signs and Wonders

Throughout the Exodus narrative, God's special grace is demonstrated through the miraculous signs and wonders performed by Moses. These acts, including the plagues upon Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, serve as tangible expressions of God's power and favor. In Exodus 7:3, God states, "But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt" , highlighting the divine orchestration behind these events.

The Giving of the Law

One of the most significant instances of God's special grace to Moses is the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 24:12, God invites Moses to ascend the mountain, saying, "Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction" . This momentous event establishes the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, with Moses as the mediator.

Intimate Communion with God

Moses' relationship with God is characterized by an unparalleled intimacy, a testament to the special grace bestowed upon him. In Exodus 33:11, it is recorded, "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend" . This unique communion underscores the depth of God's grace and the privileged position Moses holds as a servant and prophet.

Intercession and Advocacy

God's special grace to Moses is also evident in his role as an intercessor for the people of Israel. On several occasions, Moses pleads with God to spare the Israelites from His wrath, as seen in Exodus 32:11-14. His successful intercession reflects the grace that enables him to act as an advocate for the people, highlighting the mediatory role that foreshadows Christ's ultimate intercession.

Legacy and Impact

The special grace granted to Moses has a lasting impact on the history of Israel and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Through Moses, the Israelites receive the Law, the foundation of their identity as God's chosen people. His leadership and faithfulness, empowered by divine grace, set a precedent for future generations and point to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ.

In summary, God's special grace to Moses is a profound demonstration of His sovereign choice, empowerment, and revelation. Through Moses, God accomplishes His purposes, revealing His character and covenantal faithfulness to His people.

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Exodus 3:12
And he said, Certainly I will be with you; and this shall be a token to you, that I have sent you: When you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.
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Exodus 33:12,14
And Moses said to the LORD, See, you say to me, Bring up this people: and you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, I know you by name, and you have also found grace in my sight.
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Library

The Grace of God.
... Well, if we are naturally weak, we need special strength and ... There must be a channel,
a communication, between God and man through which His grace comes. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlvi the grace of.htm

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... Moses certainly declares of Sihon, that it was the Lord who "had hardened his ... not
to be overlooked that we owe it to the special grace of God, whenever, on ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 how god works.htm

Grace and Truth
... First of all, then, we have here the special glory of ... grace, the precious revelation
of the Father-God whose heart ... 'The law was given by Moses; grace and truth ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/grace and truth.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... 6. We must add a second step of a more limited nature, or one in which the grace
of God was displayed in a more special form, when of the same ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

Letter ii. In My Last Letter I Said that in the Bible There is ...
... the transcendency of the books of Moses, in aid ... but ONE WORD, even the Word of God;
and the ... Holy Spirit, writing under the influence of special grace, and the ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter ii in my last.htm

Here Beginneth a Table of the Chapters
... of a soul in general, and how Memory in special is a ... readily to come to the knowledge
of God, such as ... we profit on three manners in this grace of contemplation ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth a table of.htm

Moses --Making Haste
... Is it grace? ... and he will distribute them over the week for special and importunate ...
will take certain hours and certain days to work before God certain vices ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/v mosesmaking haste.htm

The Cloud of Unknowing
... of a soul in general, and how Memory in special is a ... readily to come to the knowledge
of God, such as ... we profit on three manners in this grace of contemplation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/

The Work of Grace a Unit.
... but it always bore a preliminary and special character. ... occupied with the preparation
of objective grace, without a ... Nay, the love of God never works toward the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii the work of grace.htm

The Papal Definition of the Immaculate Conception of the virgin ...
... the first moment of her conception, by a special grace and privilege of Almighty
God, in virtue ... in the attitude of blessing, with Moses, David, Isaiah ...
/.../ 28 the papal definition.htm