Exodus 3:11-4:12
Forty years before God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, Moses believed God would use him to deliver Israel. Instead, his own people rejected him, and he fled into the wilderness (Acts 7:23–29; Exodus 2:14).
For the next forty years, Moses lived a quiet life. He married, raised a family, and cared for his father-in-law’s sheep. Somewhere during those years, his confidence disappeared. The man who once acted boldly now questioned whether he could do anything at all.
Then God interrupted his ordinary day and called him back to Egypt.
God said, “I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10).
Moses immediately raised four objections. Yet behind every answer God gave was one great promise: “I will be with you.” As we look at Moses’s objections, we will see two things. First, we will see the lessons Moses learned in his 40 years of relative isolation and, second, that God is the answer to each obstacle.
We see the first objection in Exodus 3:11-12.
First objection: “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11–12)
Moses no longer saw himself as a leader. He saw himself as an old shepherd with nothing to offer. Please consider that Moses was out in the wilderness watching sheep. This was a task for the uneducated or the young. Moses was not keeping the books or managing the business. He was doing a job that a child could do. We see this in David’s life. He was just a child when he was watching the sheep.
God did not answer by telling Moses how gifted he was. He answered by saying, “I will certainly be with you.”
God’s presence mattered more than Moses’ ability.
Second objection: “Who should I say sent me?” (Exodus 3:13–15)
Moses wondered what authority he had. Moses learned that he had no authority of his own. This is true of all authority. All authority comes from God and is answerable to God.
God revealed His name: “I AM WHO I AM.”
This is one of the greatest revelations of God’s character in all of Scripture. God is the eternal, self-existent One. He depends on no one and needs nothing. He is everything His people need.
Jesus later identified Himself with this divine name (John 8:58).
John 8:58 (NKJV) Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Once again, the point is not merely God’s name. The point is that the great “I AM” would go with Moses.
Third objection: “What if they don’t believe me?” (Exodus 4:1–9)
Moses feared rejection. We all desire acceptance on some level.
God responded by giving him miraculous signs: the staff becoming a serpent, the leprous hand restored, and water turned to blood.
God graciously prepared Moses for situations he had not yet encountered. These signs were evidence that God Himself was at work.
Again, God’s answer pointed back to His presence.
Fourth objection: “I don’t speak well.” (Exodus 4:10–12)
Moses believed his weakness disqualified him. As we grow, we recognize our weakness.
God answered, “Who has made man’s mouth?… Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth.”
God did not deny Moses’ weakness. Instead, He promised His presence and His help.
When we step back and look at the entire conversation, we hear four objections:
Yet God’s answer never really changes.
“I will be with you.”
The same promise belongs to God’s people today.
We may ask:
God’s answer is still the same.
He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5–6).
Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly tells His people not to fear because He is with them.
See:
Our courage does not come from believing we are strong enough.
Our courage comes from knowing that God is with us.
That was Moses’ confidence, and it is ours as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please Share thoughts comments or questions.