And God makes a bold prediction.
Because the Pharaoh is an egomanic and thinks he can take God on, because the Pharaoh will not easily let the Hebrews go, God will not simply have his people walk out of Egypt as slaves. God's plan is for his people to walk out as plunderers - rich with all the valueables. They will leave like a people who has won a war.
It's must be hard for Moses to imagine how this will happen. And God tells Moses to throw the first punch by asking for permission to lead the Hebrew slaves on a three day journey into the wilderness for a worship service. He is to say to Pharaoh, "we need to go worship OUR God."
Our is not so much possession, since God does not allow himself to be "owned". OUR is about solidarity, that God stands with his people, his friends, people he's made a promise to.
God wants to be OUR God, in solidarity, in relationship. He is not just a force, and doesn't want to be treated like a lucky charm. He wants to mutually belong like a husband and wife do to each other.
Write
Think about your faith story: how have you experience God as YOUR God - on your side, in solidarity with you?
Presently, where in your life, how are you living solidarity with God? How do you care about things God caers about? In what ways what you care about conflict with what God cares about?
Who do you know needs God to be THEIR God?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about how your experience of his solidarity with you as YOUR God. Thank God for the way he is on your side, acts for you good.
Pray about your need for God to be on your side. Ask God for the help you need, the reassureance of his presence, and the courage to live as HIS people..
Pray for your friend who needs God to be on their side. Ask God how you can come along them to support them.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he stands with you, and the ways he helps you to stand with others and God.