Moses’ Excuses
Ex. 3-4
The Israelites were in captivity in Egypt and were oppressed. They “groaned under their slavery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God” (Ex. 2:23). Therefore, the LORD called Moses while he was tending to his sheep in Horeb. He was called to set the LORD’s people out of Egypt. But Moses had several excuses, He said
- “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” (Ex. 3:11)
- “What shall I say to them?” (3:13)
- “Suppose they do not believe me or listen to me” (Ex. 4:1)
- “I have never been eloquent” (Ex. 4:10)
- “Please send someone else” (Ex. 4:13)
Firstly, Moses said to the LORD, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” The LORD said to him that He will be with him. What Moses didn’t know was that the LORD had this planned for him. Many a times, many people wanted to serve the LORD, but forget what the LORD plans for them and tend to focus more on themselves and their abilities. Then, they lose track and focus and fall away. It is important to know that He who called us is always with us.
Secondly, Moses was confused as to what he must tell the Israelites who sent him. God tells him that He is the “I AM WHO I AM” and that it is “I AM” who sent him, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses was not sure about the One who called him. Likewise, many a times, we do not really know the LORD even when we say we are serving Him. Yes, we cannot fully understand Him, but it is always good to know that He is the Great I AM, the God of all.
Thirdly, Moses was apprehensive and said, “Suppose they do not believe me or listen to me.” Then, the LORD showed Him what He can do. Moses was still looking at what he can do. He was still focussed on himself. Yes, he was a wanted man, a man who had been wandering the wilderness for 40 years. What can he do? Practically nothing. But it was the LORD who called him, and it was with the strength and the power of God that Moses was to go to Egypt. He failed to know this. Likewise, many times in our lives, we focus too much on ourselves and our abilities that we fail to deliver what the LORD expects us to do. Let us remember that we should be moving forward with the strength and power of the LORD Almighty, not ours.
Fourthly, Moses complained again that he was not eloquent. The LORD’s reply was harsh: “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.” Again, Moses was thinking about his abilities (or disabilities) only. He forgot that it is the LORD who gives us all our abilities. The LORD called him because the LORD knew that he could do it. That’s it. The most important thing is to offer ourselves to the LORD.
Fifthly, Moses said again, “Please send someone else.” The LORD became angry. He called Moses’ brother Aaron to help him. Though Aaron did help him, Aaron also brought many troubles for the Israelites and for Moses later on. Moses was too conscious of himself that he failed to understand the power of the LORD. Likewise, we also fail to understand the privilege of serving the LORD many times. Instead, we take it as a burden just like Moses. But, it is important to see that serving the LORD is our honour and privilege and jump at every opportunity we have to serve Him.
To conclude, although we might find Moses a coward, let us really think of our own cowardice in following the LORD daily. The LORD has called us to be pure and holy. He has called us to live a just life. But just think of the numerous excuses we have in our own Christian lives. We may not be great in the sight of the world. But we have been called to be holy and pure in this wretched world. Towards this, let us therefore focus on Him who calls us rather than on our own failings and incapabilities.
