Moses, Aaron, and the Loudest Voice

July 22nd, 2022

Today's blog comes from the perspective of a youth pastor's wife. We are blessed to hear from guest blogger, Tish Kerby.

For some of us, learning to accept help and not be okay is a lesson in itself.

Yesterday was hard. I needed help. Yesterday, I went under anesthesia for a very minor oral surgery, but when I woke up, I was a mess. You see, I like my independence, and at times I am a complete control freak. But yesterday, I couldn’t even walk a straight line. Literally. My husband helped me stumble to the car and stumble out of it to the house. I probably looked hilarious as I was determined to walk across the yard of the parsonage by myself instead of waiting for my husband to finish talking to the church member who had stopped by the driveway. (We live on church property.) I tried to cook, but had to resign myself to bed to sleep off the medication for several hours. I just couldn’t function without help.

Granted, I am not unique in my situation—many of us have had a season where we are sick and stumbling and need guidance. For some of us, that season is longer than others. For some of us, learning to accept help and not be ok is a lesson in itself.

This scenario reminds me of the account in Exodus when we get to see Moses needing help. Moses, the man who faced Pharaoh, who led the Israelites out of Egypt, who met with God on Mount Sinai—Moses the miracle worker, Moses the mighty, Moses the mere man. He sent Joshua out to lead the fight against Amalek and was stationed at the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hands watching the battle. In Exodus 17:11, it tells us, “So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.”

**This was not supposed to be a battle Moses won in his own strength. This was not his battle to fight alone.**

So far, so good. Things are going well. The plan is working. Just keep your hands up, Moses. Don’t be distracted, don’t worry about the desert heat scorching you or the weight of the staff in your hand. You got this, Mo. Come on, man, keep your arms up! Nope. Not going to work. We read in Exodus 17:12, “But Moses’ hands were heavy.”

This was not supposed to be a battle Moses won in his own strength. This was not his battle to fight alone. God could have swooped down and taken over, but instead he used Aaron and Hur. Exodus 17:12 also tells us Moses’ friends put a stone for him to sit on, and they stood alongside him, helping to hold his hands up and steady him until sunset. They came alongside him all day.

Just like I needed my husband's steady arm, Moses needed the strength of Aaron and Hur. Sometimes we’re Moses, and sometimes we’re Aaron. If I am honest, I like being Aaron more. This week I got to be both.

Being in youth ministry with my husband is something I treasure, and I absolutely love it when a teenager feels comfortable enough to speak up and ask for help. So when I got a text recently, I jumped at the chance to sit in a comfy chair and chat with a young lady from our church. I heard a familiar and common story—another child of God struggling with who they are because they couldn’t hear God’s voice. Unfortunately, it seems like we get these cries for help more and more, and not just from teens. People are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, angry, confused—feeling lost.

His truth becomes a whisper in a room full of voices—voices of social media, social issues, and silly amusements that crowd out God’s words.

The truth of who we are in God and how He sees us, within the truth of His Word, all gets lost in the shuffle of life. His truth becomes a whisper in a room full of voices—voices of social media, social issues, and silly amusements that crowd out God’s words. Proverbs 1:20 tells us “Wisdom shouts in the street … she raises her voice in the public square.” Wisdom shouts to be heard, but our airpods are in, so we don’t notice. We cannot hear because others are screaming their agendas at us, telling us who they think we should be or how we should be acting or what we should be believing. These voices are loud and fierce.

So how was I like Aaron? I simply came alongside and helped her up. I reminded her to listen to God and spend time with His Word—to make His voice the one she remembers throughout her day; to remember who He sees her as when she is on social media. I reminded her that we have God’s Word to guide us when other voices are distracting and lying to us; how God loves us unconditionally and how He is right beside us when we feel alone. And as I held her up, it encouraged me too. You see, Moses’ staff and his arms weren’t what won the battle. Aaron and Hur didn’t win the battle. Joshua didn’t win the battle. Ultimately, God won the battle that day.

So, whether you find yourself in need as Moses did or helping like Aaron and Hur, listen to His voice—remember Him. Let His voice be the loudest you hear and the loudest you speak to others over all the other voices around us. May His truth prevail.

AUTHOR BIO:
Tish Kerby is married to Carl Kerby Jr. They live in a parsonage in Union, KY, where they serve in youth ministry and other church activities. Tish homeschools their 3 children, tutors other children, and loves working on projects with Reasons for Hope. She especially loves listening to "Grandpa" share about his trips over family dinners.

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