Act Like Men

I'm currently looking at Moses and the book of Exodus. This morning I read a verse that I had forgotten about. In Exodus 5 Moses has gone to Pharaoh and told him that God has commanded the people of Israel to be freed. God hardens Pharaoh's heart and he says no. Then, probably in an effort to assert his power over them, increases their work load.

Exodus 5.9 says this, "Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words." Let the work be heavier on the men. Bury them with work so they won't have time to listen to what Moses is saying God said. Bury them in work so they won't have time to take a stand and lead their families. Bury them in work so they won't have energy to take a stand for God.

Pharaoh knew, even then, that if the men decided to act there would be a problem. He knew even then that if the men got involved things would happen. And so he set out to make sure that didn't happen. He said let the work be heavier on them. Take up more of their time, drain them of strength and energy, don't let them be husbands and fathers, don't let them be leaders for God. If we can keep the men busy we can slow a lot down, maybe stop it all together.

It's the truth, if men refuse to act things don't get done, or if they do, it's a lot harder. John Eldredge talks in The Way of the Wild Heart about how Satan will try to bury us with one battle after another. Satan wants to keep us busy, he wants to keep us from church, from devotional time with God, from our families. Satan doesn't want men to rise up and act. He doesn't want men to be men.

Look at what happens when Godly men lead. Joseph saved nations from famine, Moses led Israel out of Slavery, Joshua took back the promised land. David united the kingdom of Israel, Elijah stood up to corrupt kings, Ezra and Nehemiah brought the people back from captivity. Jesus saved the world, Paul evangelized countless people and started churches on two continents. Look what happens when men stand up for God.

Do you ever wonder why many churches are in the state their in? Look at the majority of people sitting in the pews and the majority of the people who do the work. Aren't they women? Men have left the difficult job of spiritual leadership and service to women in order to be the provider for the family. It's important to provide. God said that we would work the soil in Genesis 3. We are the leaders of our households, and part of that is providing for them. But we can't let ourselves be consumed by that. We can't fail to lead spiritually with the excuse of providing. We can't fail to be there for our wives and children with the excuse of I'm too tired from work. We can't fail to lead the church because I'm too swamped at the office.

If men continue to fail to lead, nothing is going to get better. I know there are demands on us, I know there are expectations of us. But what is really important? The relationship with your family that will bond you forever, or the cool gadget you can buy them (that they'll forget about in a month) because you work 80 hours a week?

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16.13-14, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." Be on the alert, watch for the attacks and fight against them. Stand firm in the faith, take your stand for God, lead your family spiritually, help them become like Christ. Act like men, this is the part that really stands out to me. Act like men, be men, do what men do. Stand up against injustice, live for truth. Be strong, it's not going to be easy, it will be a battle, so endure it. Men are powerful and dangerous, let's use that for good. But let us act in Love. Let love for God and our families guide us. Let love be our motivation.

Men have been under attack for thousands of years, it's nothing new. God has made us men to lead. He had given us strength to fight the battles we face. He will be with us, He will guide and refresh us. Let us lean on Him for strength. Let us draw our energy from Him. Let us be the men He has created us to be. Men who love and lead our families into Christlikeness. Men who lead and serve the church. Men who live for the glory of God. Let us act like men.

Peace be with you