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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Exodus 4:13
“But Moses said, ‘Oh Lord, please send someone else to do it.’”
A very reluctant hero.
God had called him, given him a vision, empowered and anointed him. What is his response? Excuse after excuse and eventually just a blunt ‘don’t call me, I’ll call you’. God had told him what He was going to do. God was going down to rescue the Hebrews and He invited Moses to be a part of His plan.
Moses was reluctant, so God showed him some miracles. First, He made a snake out of Moses’ rod, from which he ran away before picking it up by its tail when it returned to being his rod once more. Next, God made his hand leprous and then healed it and made it whole again. God gave him the assurance that even if the Egyptians didn’t believe at first, miracles would follow until they did.
So Moses played his ‘trump card’ – “I’ve never been eloquent”. However, Moses’ ‘trump card’ was pathetic. “Who made the tongue, eyes that see or are blind”, God asks?
Having lost that argument big time, Moses tried his last hand. “Please send someone else to do it.” There are different ways of looking at this.
Did Moses still carry guilt? He left Egypt 40 years ago as a fugitive murderer. No doubt he was not too keen to go back and face the possible consequences. God certainly hasn’t overlooked that. He says, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who wanted to kill you are dead” (v 19).
Not only that but he had once lived in Pharaoh’s palace on the inside – now he had to go back ‘home’ and stay on the outside. But what a perfect person to go. God had overseen the whole of Moses’ life. From his birth, his childhood and adolescence into manhood. God had led him into the wilderness for refuge and further training – now he would return, not as a prince, but as a shepherd.
Yes, he was still a leader but now he would lead the Hebrews to freedom, not through his own charisma and brute force but by God’s omnipotent Hand. ‘“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” says the Lord Almighty’ (Zechariah 4:6). It is a ‘Ring of Truth’! God tells him two of the plagues he is to perform - Changing water into blood (v 8–9) and the final one - the death of the first-born (v 23).
Was Moses afraid? Yes, I think so.
Afraid of the Hebrews. Because they were the ones that ‘chased him off’ in the first place. Now he would have to face them again and try to win them over.
Afraid of Pharaoh. He knew the family. He knew their power, pride and fear; he knew their dislike and distrust of the Hebrews and their harsh treatment of them.
Afraid of failure. It’s a great idea to free the Hebrews. It’s in the Plan – but I tried to start it once and it didn’t work. I can’t face getting it wrong again.
Afraid of rejection. What happens if the Hebrews don’t accept me and my leadership – what then? I’m happy here. Beautiful wife, lovely sons, happy surroundings. I’ll stay as I am if You don’t mind.
Was Moses showing humility – false or otherwise? Otherwise, I think.
As we shall see over the next few weeks, Moses was probably the most humble man that has ever lived. Yes, he still had lots to learn but the seeds were still there (see verses 24–26).
Listen. Moses nearly, but not totally, disqualified himself but he ended up as one of the greatest leaders of all time.
What about you? Has God given you a vision? Have you tried it in your own strength and failed?
Don’t give up. Work through each of these same issues and then let God be God. Whatever your fear is – give it to Jesus and let Him ‘swallow’ it up through the power of His resurrection and make you invincible in God.
Go on. Let Him do it. He can still change the world through you.
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