Exodus 4.10-17: Revelation, Reluctance, and Reassurance (4)
Moses isn’t finished with his excuses. There are 2 more he would like to make!
His fourth excuse is found in verse 10. I don’t have the gifts. That’s really not my strength. I don’t know if I could do that. I feel very insufficient to do what you have asked me to do. I’m not able to do it.
His last excuse is in verse 13, “please send someone else.” I don’t want the responsibility. Anyone but me.
As we look at these excuses it is amazing to think that Moses believes he knows better than God. God, you have chosen the wrong person. God, you have made a mistake in having me here at this time. God, you don’t know what you’re doing, let me put you right on a couple of points.
At the heart of Moses’ reluctance is his belief that he has better reasons to disobey God than to obey God. It is as if Moses is saying, “God, it is better for me to disobey you than to do what you tell me to do.”
The holy, gracious, promise-keeping, saving, power-working God calls us to specific tasks. We are called to follow and live obedient, worshipful lives. We are called to serve, to witness, to fellowship together. We are called to give ourselves and serve our King and Saviour. Yet we too can make excuses. I’m not good enough. I don’t know enough, I don’t have the abilities that others do. I’m just not sure God has me in the right place. Please Lord just use someone else. Like Moses we can make sinful excuses.
But God reassures Moses again. This time letting him know that he is not alone. Verse 12, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” God is going with Moses and will help him.
And God is also going to give him human help, Aaron his brother. Moses will enjoy fellowship with Aaron to help him, and the very presence of God will be with him.
We too have these wonderful gifts from God. His presence with us by the Holy Spirit indwelling us, teaching us, comforting us, and the fellowship of our brothers and sisters in Christ. As we are called to serve and live for Christ remember he is with us and we have the fellowship of believers.
Questions
- In what ways might we think we have better reasons to disobey God than to obey?
- What help does God give to us as we serve him?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would be obedient in doing what God calls us to do.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.