Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「神聽見他們的哀聲，就記念祂與亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各所立的約。神看顧以色列人，也知道他們的苦情。」——出埃及記2:24–25
引言
《出埃及記》第一章記載，以色列人在埃及的處境越來越艱難。他們原本因着約瑟的緣故來到埃及，得到保護，也在那地生養眾多。可是，當新的法老興起，不再認識約瑟，以色列人便由寄居者變成奴僕。法老害怕以色列人的人數增加，便用苦工壓制他們，又下令殺死所有希伯來男嬰。最後，他更吩咐埃及百姓，把所有希伯來男嬰丟進尼羅河。
摩西就在這樣危險的時代出生。他的母親把他藏了三個月，後來不能再藏，只好製作一個蒲草箱，把孩子放在裏面，再擱在河邊的蘆荻中。摩西長大後，看見埃及人欺負希伯來人，便憑自己的力量出手，殺死了那埃及人。事情被揭發後，他只能逃到米甸。與此同時，以色列人仍然在埃及做苦工。他們歎息、哀求，卻不知道神何時介入，也不知道拯救會從哪裏來。
《出埃及記》第二章裏，每一個人的前路都很模糊。摩西的母親不知道孩子能否存活；摩西不知道自己的人生還有甚麼方向；以色列人也不知道苦難何時才會結束。然而，前路模糊，不代表神已經失去掌權。當人看不清下一步時，神仍然知道整條道路；當人不知道事情會怎樣發展時，神已經開始預備祂的拯救。我們的生命中，也會遇到前路模糊的時候。
可能是孩子的成長、身體的健康、家庭的需要、工作的轉變，或一件禱告了很久仍未改變的事情。當事情不在掌握中，我們很容易焦慮，也很容易想靠自己的方法解決。但《出埃及記》第二章提醒我們：即使看不清楚前路，仍然可以信靠那位完全知道道路的神。
在前路模糊的日子裏，摩西母親的選擇、摩西的失敗，以及以色列人的等候，帶給我們三個重要的提醒。
一、不能控制時，要交託
「那女人懷孕，生一個兒子，見他俊美，就藏了他三個月。後來不能再藏，就取了一個蒲草箱，抹上石漆和石油，將孩子放在裏頭，把箱子擱在河邊的蘆荻中。」——出埃及記2:2–3
摩西的母親已經盡了她最大的努力。面對法老的命令，她沒有立刻放棄孩子，而是冒着危險把他藏起來。可是，孩子漸漸長大，再也不能隱藏。經文說：「後來不能再藏。」
這句話讓我們看見，她已經來到自己能力的盡頭。她取了一個蒲草箱，抹上石漆和石油，把孩子放進去，再擱在河邊的蘆荻中。這不是消極放棄，而是在自己已經無法掌控的情況下，作出當下能做的安排，並把結果留在神手中。我們在生活中，也常常遇到不能控制的事情。
父母可以教導孩子，卻不能控制孩子每一個選擇；我們可以努力工作，卻不能控制別人的反應；我們可以接受治療，卻不能保證身體立刻康復；我們可以忠心服事，卻不能決定事奉的結果。
很多時候，我們之所以焦慮，不只是因為事情困難，而是因為事情已經不在我們掌握之中。真正的交託，不是甚麼都不做，而是在盡上責任之後，承認自己不是神，把不能控制的部分交給祂。摩西的母親不知道孩子放在河邊之後會怎樣，但神使法老的女兒發現他，也使摩西的姐姐有智慧上前提出幫助。
最後，摩西不但保存了性命，他的親生母親更能夠繼續乳養和照顧他。法老想利用尼羅河殺死希伯來男嬰，神卻使用同一條河保守祂所揀選的人。弟兄姊妹，交託不是因為我們知道事情一定會照自己的期望發展，而是因為我們知道神是可信的。我們不能控制結果，但神仍然掌權。不能控制時，要交託。
二、想靠自己時，要停下
「他左右觀看，見沒有人，就把埃及人打死了，藏在沙土裏。」——出埃及記2:12
摩西在法老的王宮裏長大。使徒行傳第七章說，摩西學了埃及人一切的學問，說話行事都有才能。他有知識、有能力，也有王宮的背景。當摩西看見一名埃及人欺負希伯來人時，他對同胞的痛苦並不是無動於衷。他關心受欺壓的人，也渴望公義，這份關心本身並沒有錯。但他選擇以暴力和自己的力量處理問題。
經文說，他先「左右觀看」，看見沒有人，便把埃及人打死，再藏在沙土裏。經文沒有顯示他是在神的吩咐和時間中行動；相反，他憑自己的判斷和力量處理眼前的不公義。
結果，第二天當他想勸阻兩個希伯來人爭鬥時，其中一個人反問他：「誰立你作我們的首領和審判官呢？難道你要殺我，像殺那埃及人嗎？」——出埃及記2:14
摩西原本想幫助同胞，最後卻成為逃亡的人。他關心受欺壓者是對的，但以血氣和暴力處理問題是錯的。這也是我們很容易面對的試探。
當事情沒有進展，我們便想用自己的方法推動；當別人不按我們的意思行事，我們便用情緒或壓力改變對方；當我們看見問題，也可能因為心急而立刻反應。我們甚至會說：「我是為了他好。」「我是為了教會。」「我只是想盡快解決問題。」可是，好的動機不能使錯誤的方法變成正確。神將來的確要使用摩西帶領以色列人離開埃及，但神不能讓摩西用埃及的方法完成神的工作。神不只是要把摩西從埃及帶出來，也要把埃及處理事情的方式，從摩西的生命裏除去。因此，神容許摩西離開王宮，進入米甸的曠野。
這不是神放棄他，而是神要重新塑造他，使他不再依靠地位、能力和血氣，而是學習順服神的時間和方法。
我們也要明白，停下不是消極，也不是甚麼都不做。停下，是停止憑血氣反應；停下，是放下急於控制結果的心；停下，是重新來到神面前，尋求祂的時間和方法。
當我們很想立刻出手時，需要先問：這是神的時間，還是因為我等不下去？這是神的方法，還是我自己的方法？這是出於信心，還是出於焦急和血氣？想靠自己時，要停下。
三、等候太久時，要相信
「過了多年，埃及王死了。以色列人因做苦工，就歎息哀求，他們的哀聲達於神。」——出埃及記2:23
摩西逃到米甸之後，住在那裏，結婚、生子，也成為牧羊人。昔日在王宮中長大的摩西，如今在曠野過着平凡的生活。他曾經想幫助自己的同胞，如今卻好像離他們越來越遠。而在埃及，以色列人仍然繼續做苦工。經文說：「過了多年。」這不是幾天，也不是幾個月，而是一段漫長的時間。多年過去，法老的制度沒有改變，以色列人的苦難沒有停止，摩西也沒有回到埃及。
百姓只能歎息、哀求。有些痛苦經歷得太久，人甚至不知道應該怎樣禱告，只能發出歎息。但經文說，他們的哀聲達於神。第二章最後用了四個很重要的表達：神聽見。神記念。神看顧。神知道。
「神聽見他們的哀聲，就記念祂與亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各所立的約。神看顧以色列人，也知道他們的苦情。」——出埃及記2:24–25
神聽見，表示他們的呼求沒有落空。神記念，不是說神曾經忘記，而是表示祂要按照自己所立的約採取行動。神看顧，表示祂的眼目一直沒有離開祂的百姓。神知道，表示祂完全明白他們所經歷的一切。
當以色列人在埃及呼求時，他們不知道神已經在米甸預備摩西。當摩西在曠野牧羊時，他也不知道神正在重塑他的生命，使他將來能夠承擔神的託付。人的眼睛只看見事情沒有改變，神卻一直在看不見的地方工作。我們也可能正在經歷「過了多年」的等候。
有些禱告已經禱告了很久；有些家人的生命仍未改變；有些健康問題仍然存在；有些需要遲遲沒有答案。等候太久，我們很容易懷疑：神真的聽見嗎？神是否已經忘記？神是否仍然看顧？奴僕心態只看見眼前的苦工，便以為自己永遠沒有出路；但神子民的身份，是在還未看見改變以前，仍然相信立約的神沒有忘記祂的百姓。神的沉默，不等於神的缺席。神沒有立刻改變環境，不代表祂沒有工作；神沒有照我們期待的時間回應，也不代表祂拒絕我們。
祂正在預備時間、預備道路，也預備我們的生命。我們未必知道還要等多久，卻可以知道，神仍然聽見、仍然記念、仍然看顧，也完全知道。等候太久時，要相信。
總結
《出埃及記》第二章裏，每一個人的前路都十分模糊。摩西的母親不知道孩子放進河邊之後會怎樣；摩西不知道逃到米甸之後，自己的人生還有甚麼方向；以色列人也不知道苦難何時結束。可是，當他們看不清楚前路時，神仍然看得清楚。摩西的母親看見的是一個蒲草箱，神看見的是將來的拯救者；摩西看見的是自己的失敗，神看見的是生命被重新塑造的開始；以色列人看見的是多年苦工，神看見的是祂所立的約，以及即將展開的拯救。
今天，也許我們仍然不知道明天會怎樣。有些事情不能控制，有些問題不能立刻解決，有些禱告仍然在等候。但神藉着這一章提醒我們：不能控制時，要交託；想靠自己時，要停下；等候太久時，要相信。前路模糊，不代表神沒有帶領。我們所信靠的，不是自己能否掌握將來，而是那位掌管將來的神。
省察
- 今天有甚麼事情已經超出我的控制，需要重新交託給神？
- 我是否正憑自己的情緒、經驗或方法處理問題，需要停下來重新尋求神？
- 面對長久的等候，我是否仍然相信神聽見、記念、看顧，也知道我的處境？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢在我們看不清楚前路的時候，仍然知道整條道路。當事情不能控制時，求祢幫助我們學習交託；當我們想靠自己處理時，求祢使我們願意停下來，尋求祢的時間和方法；當等候太久時，求祢堅固我們，使我們仍然相信祢。
主啊，祢聽見、祢記念、祢看顧，也完全知道我們的處境。求祢除去我們裏面的奴僕心態，使我們以神子民的身份，在前路模糊時仍然信靠祢、跟隨祢。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Key Scripture: “So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.” —Exodus 2:24–25, NKJV
Introduction
Exodus chapter 1 tells us that life became increasingly difficult for the Israelites in Egypt. A new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph. The Israelites changed from being welcomed foreigners into slaves. Pharaoh forced them into hard labour and even ordered that every Hebrew baby boy should be thrown into the Nile River.
Moses was born during this dangerous time. His mother hid him for three months. When she could no longer hide him, she made a basket, placed him inside, and left it among the reeds by the river.
When Moses grew up, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Moses acted in his own strength and killed the Egyptian. When the matter became known, he had to flee to Midian. Meanwhile, the Israelites continued to suffer under hard labour. They groaned and cried out, but they did not know when God would act or where their deliverance would come from.
In Exodus chapter 2, the way ahead was unclear for everyone. Moses’ mother did not know whether her child would survive. Moses did not know what direction his life would take. The Israelites did not know when their suffering would end.
But an unclear future does not mean that God has lost control. When people cannot see the next step, God still sees the whole road. When people do not know what will happen, God is already preparing His deliverance.
We also go through times when the way ahead is unclear. It may involve our children, our health, our family, changes at work, or a prayer that has remained unanswered for a long time. When things are no longer under our control, we easily become anxious. We may also try to solve everything in our own way. But Exodus chapter 2 reminds us that even when the way ahead is unclear, we can still trust the God who knows the whole road.
- When You Cannot Control It, Surrender It
“But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him…put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.” —Exodus 2:3, NKJV
Moses’ mother had already done all she could. She risked her life to hide her child, but as he grew, she could no longer keep him hidden. She had reached the limit of what she could do. She made a basket, placed Moses inside, and left him among the reeds by the river. This was not giving up. She did what she could at that moment and left the result in God’s hands.
We also face many things that we cannot control. Parents can teach their children, but they cannot control every choice their children make. We can work hard, but we cannot control other people’s reactions. We can receive medical treatment, but we cannot guarantee immediate healing. We can serve faithfully, but we cannot decide the outcome of our ministry.
Often, we are anxious not only because the situation is difficult, but because it is no longer under our control. True surrender does not mean doing nothing. It means that after we have done our part, we admit that we are not God and place what we cannot control into His hands.
Moses’ mother did not know what would happen next, but God caused Pharaoh’s daughter to find him. God also allowed Moses’ own mother to continue nursing and caring for him. Pharaoh wanted to use the Nile to destroy Hebrew baby boys, but God used the same river to protect the one He had chosen. We cannot control the result, but God is still in control. When you cannot control it, surrender it.
- When You Want to Depend on Yourself, Stop
“So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.” —Exodus 2:12, NKJV
Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. He cared about his suffering people and desired justice. His concern was not wrong, but he chose violence and relied on his own strength.
The passage does not show that Moses acted according to God’s command or timing. Instead, he used his own judgment and power to deal with the injustice in front of him. As a result, he did not successfully help his people. He became a fugitive.
We can easily act like Moses. When things are not moving forward, we try to push them with our own methods. When people do not respond the way we want, we use emotion or pressure to change them. When we see a problem, we react immediately because we are impatient.
We may even say, “I am doing this for their good,” “I am doing this for the church,” or “I just want to solve the problem quickly.” But a good intention does not make a wrong method right.
God would later use Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but God would not allow Moses to carry out His work by using Egypt’s methods. God did not only want to bring Moses out of Egypt. He also wanted to remove Egypt’s way of thinking and acting from Moses’ life.
Stopping does not mean becoming passive or doing nothing. To stop means to stop reacting in the flesh. To stop means to let go of the need to control the result. To stop means to seek God’s timing and God’s way again.
When you want to depend on yourself, stop.
- When the Waiting Is Long, Keep Believing
“Now it happened in the process of time…that the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out.” —Exodus 2:23, NKJV
After Moses fled to Midian, he married, had a son, and became a shepherd. Meanwhile, the Israelites continued to suffer in Egypt. The Bible says, “in the process of time.”
Many years passed. The situation did not change. Their suffering did not stop, and Moses did not return to Egypt. The people could only groan and cry out. But their cry came before God.
At the end of Exodus chapter 2, four important truths are revealed: God heard. God remembered. God looked. God knew.
“So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.” —Exodus 2:24–25, NKJV
God heard, which means their cries were not ignored. God remembered, not because He had forgotten, but because He was about to act according to His covenant. God looked, which means His eyes had never left His people. God knew, which means He fully understood everything they were going through.
While the Israelites cried out in Egypt, they did not know that God was already preparing Moses in Midian. While Moses was tending sheep in the wilderness, he did not know that God was reshaping his life. People saw only that nothing had changed, but God was working in places they could not see. We may also be going through a long season of waiting.
Some prayers have been prayed for many years. Some family members have still not changed. Some health problems remain. Some needs still have no answer.
A slave mentality sees only the suffering in front of us and assumes that there is no way out. But the identity of God’s people enables us to believe that the covenant-keeping God has not forgotten us, even before we see any change.
God’s silence does not mean God’s absence. He still hears. He still remembers. He still watches over us. He still knows. When the waiting is long, keep believing.
Conclusion
In Exodus chapter 2, the way ahead was unclear for everyone.
Moses’ mother did not know what would happen to her child. Moses did not know what direction his life would take. The Israelites did not know when their suffering would end.
But when they could not see the road ahead, God could still see clearly.
Moses’ mother saw a basket, but God saw a future deliverer. Moses saw his failure, but God saw the beginning of a transformed life. The Israelites saw many years of slavery, but God saw His covenant and the deliverance that was about to begin.
Today, we may still not know what tomorrow will bring.
But God reminds us through this chapter: When you cannot control it, surrender it. When you want to depend on yourself, stop. When the waiting is long, keep believing.
An unclear future does not mean that God is not leading. Our trust is not in our ability to control the future, but in the God who holds the future.
Reflection
- What situation is beyond my control and needs to be surrendered to God again?
- Am I trying to handle a problem through my own emotions, experience, or methods instead of stopping to seek God?
- In a long season of waiting, do I still believe that God hears, remembers, watches over me, and knows my situation?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we cannot see the road ahead, You still know the whole way. When things are beyond our control, help us to surrender them to You. When we want to depend on ourselves, help us to stop and seek Your timing and Your way. When the waiting is long, strengthen our faith so that we will continue to believe in You.
Remove the slave mentality from within us, and help us to live as Your people. Even when the way ahead is unclear, teach us to trust You and follow You. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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