If we grow up with an unloving father, it unfortunately effects how we relate to God. Take Moses for example he was born in a Jewish family but because of the Pharaoh’s order that all male babies were to be killed, Moses was hidden for 3 months and then his mother put him in a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch and placed it along the bank of the Nile river where Pharaoh’s daughter found him. This pharaoh, Seti I was very cruel and he became the FATHER FIGURE FOR MOSES.
When Moses witnessed the cruelty of the Egyptian slave master toward the Israelites, he killed him and discovered he was seen so he fled and went into hiding. While he was tending sheep he saw the burning bush and approached it, The Lord said, “Do not come any closer…Take off your sandals, for you are standing on HOLY GROUND.” (Exo. 3:5) This was the first encounter Moses had with God, so when He said, “Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” (Exo. 3:10) Moses said NO! He did not know who God was and Pharaoh wanted to kill him. Finally Moses agreed and with the assistance of Aaron the fled Egypt and were delivered from Egyptian bondage. All along the way the children of Israel complained and Moses complained as well, none of them REALLY KNEW GOD.
Finally, after some time, Moses said to the Lord, “If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people…The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” Moses responded, “Then SHOW ME YOUR GLORIOUS PRESENCE.” The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” (Exo. 33:13, 17-19) So, this is what happened, “…the LORD passed before Moses and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…SO MOSES MADE HASTE AND BOWED HIS HEAD TOWARD THE EARTH, AND WORSHIPED.” (Exodus 34:6-8) THIS IS THE FIRST TIME MOSES WORSHIPED THE LORD BECAUSE HE NOW KNEW WHO THE LORD WAS…
-Bill Stockham