In yesterday’s blog article, I listed 5 excuses that Moses gave God for why he wasn’t the right man for the job of setting a million Hebrews free from 400 years of Egyptian slavery.
(1) Inadequacy: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” (3:11)
(2) Ignorance: If I come to the people of Israel and they ask me what is his name, what shall I say to them? (3:13)
(3) Incredibility: But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you. (4:1)
(4) Inarticulatedness: O my Lord, I am not eloquent, but I am slow of speech and of tongue. (4:10)
(5) Insubordination: O Lord, please send I pray some other person. (4:13)
Experiencing God
Henry Blackaby has an insightful treatment of this section in his Experiencing God book. He writes:a
- God is at work in the world.
- He forms a relationship with humans.
- God invites His servants to join Him in what He is doing in the world.
- Humans experience a crisis of faith (excuses) that must be overcome.
- When God’s servants align their lives with God’s purposes, He acts and they experience God in ways previously unimaginable.
Exodus 3 ends with God giving Moses more information about the job to which he has been called. Below is a summary of verses 16-22 which is the vision of God’s action on behalf of His oppressed people that only He can accomplish.
- God tells Moses that He has seen the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt and promises to bring them out and lead them to their own land.
- God instructs Moses and the Israelite elders to ask the King of Egypt for permission to leave for a three-day journey to worship Him.
- God tells Moses that the king will refuse unless compelled by His powerful actions. God promises to strike Egypt with wonders, after which the king will let them go.
- Furthermore, God declares that the Israelites will find favor with the Egyptians and will leave Egypt with valuable possessions (silver, gold, and clothing), effectively plundering them.
Crisis of Faith – More Excuses
Moses’ third excuse is Incredibility.
Then Moses answered, “But look, they may not believe me or listen to me but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you'” (Exodus 4:1).
Moses is concerned about personal rejection, fearing his own people will not believe him. God provides him with three powerful signs as tangible proof of his divine calling (verses 2-9):
- A staff that turns into a snake and then back into a staff.
- A healthy hand that becomes leprous and is then restored.
- Water from the Nile poured on the ground turning into blood.
A crisis of belief always involves shifting our focus from what we can accomplish to what God can accomplish. Just as Moses had to learn that God was in charge and would care for him, we must learn the same.
Excuse #4 – Inarticulatedness
Moses complained that he was not a good speaker and would be unable to lead the people.
But Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10).
It’s interesting to note that Stephen saw Moses as an eloquent speaker.
So Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds (Acts 7:22).
Anyone who speaks about God realizes that if God doesn’t enable their speech, they are in a “world of hurt.” However, nothing is too difficult for God.
Then the Lord said to him, “Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak” (Exodus 4:11-12),
Moses’ final excuse, Insubordination, may have been the worst of all. Note, Moses’ words and God’s response.
But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses (Exodus 4:13-14a).
Reflections
Sadly, I can neither remember nor count the many times I’ve made excuses for my behavior. How many instances are there of God calling me to action and my refusal?
I am grateful for God’s mercy, shown in his patience with Moses and extended to me and innumerable others throughout time.
The fact remains that I still need to be responsive to God’s calls. Even though I am retired, I am called to serve Him.
It’s important to remember that Moses was 80 years old when he entered this phase of his ministry. We are truly never too old to begin following God’s directions for the fulfillment of His plans and work here on earth.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 