Who me?
Scripture:
But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? – Exodus 3:11
Then Moses answered, But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, The Lord did not appear to you. – Exodus 4:1
But Moses said to the Lord, Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue. – Exodus 4:10
But he said, Oh, my Lord, please send someone else. – Exodus 4:13
Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? – Exodus 5:22
Observation:
Moses questioned God 4 times before he was sent, and again after he was sent & had spoken to pharaoh. Moses felt completely unqualified to that which God was calling him to. God was calling him to go to the Pharaoh of Egypt and demand that the israelites (who were slaves at that time) be freed and allowed to leave the land to go to another country. He was insecure in his ability to speak to & in front of others, specifically an influential and I’m sure quite intimidating leader as well as the large group of israelites. He was unsure that the israelites would view him as a leader of any kind, moreover God’s chosen leader. He was afraid of the daunting task at hand (oh lord send someone else).
And the funny thing is that he questioned yet again in the middle of the journey – why did you ever send me?
Application:
This makes me feel better. Moses was a great leader of God’s people. We know the end of the story and that God used moses to lead the israelites out of egypt to the promised land. Yet time and again, seemingly every step of the way, Moses questioned God….are you sure you want ME? Are you sure? Did you really send me? This was a daunting task, yet God called Moses, and assured him that he would be with him every step of the way, that he would literally put his very words in his mouth. So often i find myself questioning God when he calls me…I say I’m not qualified, I’m not worthy, I’m not able, I’m not eloquent, I’m not influential…but that doesn’t matter. Those are excuses, nothing else. I feel that God IS calling me to go, to speak out, to meet people, to gain relationships with people of influence, to simply go and he will show me the way and give me the words. I’ve been making excuses, and even asking at times why he sent us…but I am encouraged by moses’ example. I am encouraged by God’s faithfulness. I will go!
Prayer:
Thank you God that you use the weak things of this world…thank you that in my weakness you are strong. Thank you that you have called me and that you are faithful to lead me to the promised land to which you have called me. Help me to keep focused, to remain steadfast and to silence the voices that would hinder my steps – for I am weak, incapable, unworthy, not eloquent, not influential…yet in you I am all these things and so much more! To you be all the glory God!
