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by Kevin Pauley
The Israelites' cry for help has come to Me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." – Exodus 3:9-10 HCSB
One day while minding his own business, Moses came across a thing of wondrous beauty – a bush that burnt continuously without being consumed[1]. While gazing at it in awe, a voice suddenly emanated from the bush telling Moses to remove his sandals, because the ground he was standing on was holy.
Moses did exactly as Adam and Eve did when their sinfulness came face to face with God’s holiness – he hid for he was afraid to look at God.[2] But he continued listening to that voice and as he did, he gradually came to understand that God wanted something from him. It was something frightening; something crazy!
He was to return to Egypt where there was a price on his head and he was to confront the Pharaoh, the single most powerful man on earth at the time, with his crimes. Moses was also to convince the government of the wealthiest nation on earth to give up its infrastructure - its industry, which was its slave labor.
Moses started with the “false abasement” ploy: “Who am I that I should go?"[3] It sounded righteous and humble but God brushed it aside, basically saying “You’re nobody, but I’ll be with you.”
Then Moses tried the “lack of answers” ploy: "If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, 'What is His name?' what should I tell them?"[4] “I’m not prepared. I’m not sufficiently trained. I don’t have all the answers.” But again God insisted and gave Moses the appropriate answer.
So Moses tried the “lack of authority” ploy: “They won’t believe me.”[5] But God responded by giving him power.
Moses then switched to the “lack of ability” trick: “I can’t speak.”[6] But that bordered on insult, because it questioned God’s judgment; as though God didn’t know what Moses could or could not do!
Finally, we get down to the real issue: "Please, Lord, send someone else."[7] It wasn’t about abasement, answers, authority or ability. Moses simply didn’t want to go.
When God calls us to stand up for Him, we may use one or all of these same ploys in order to avoid the call, but rest assured, the God who sees all knows what is in our hearts: simple, sinful rebellion.
When we feel that holy impulse, we should rejoice in the fact that though we are nobodies, who know nothing, are not authoritative and are totally incapable of doing this on our own, God has chosen to use us anyway. "With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God."[8]It’s not about us. It’s about Him.[3] Exodus 3:11 HCSB
[4] Exodus 3:13 HCSB
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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