The Excuses of Moses
Exodus 3:1-4:17
When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush he called him to the task of leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. In response, Moses gave excuses as to why he did not think he was the man for the job. The excuses of Moses, and God’s response to them, will serve as the basis for our study. For in a similar way, as God’s people today, we have received from God a special calling. Not to go to a country to deliver those in physical bondage, but to a world to deliver those in the bondage of sin - Mk 16:15 “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”; 1 Pe 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” -- Too often, though, we behave just like Moses, making the very same excuses!
Let’s begin by reading Exo 3:1-10, refreshing our memories of how God called Moses. Reminded of this call, we are now ready to consider the first of five excuses given by Moses, “Who am I?” found in Exo 3:11 “But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"’ Though Moses was once a member of the ruling house of Egypt he was now but a lowly shepherd. 40 years had passed since he had been in Egypt. He was an 80 year old man, already past the average life span for his generation. -- This prompted Moses to wonder whether he was the right man for the job. But God’s response was quick, and should have been adequate.... “I will certainly be with you...” - Exo 3:12 “He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."’ God promised to be with Moses, and this alone should have been sufficient. As Paul later wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Ro 8:31
Some use this same excuse today, trying to excuse ourselves by believing that we are insufficient for the task. It is true that by ourselves that we are insufficient, but God can make us sufficient - 2 Co 3:5-6 “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Look what He did with the apostles! They were uneducated and untrained men - Ac 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Through Jesus, God has provided us the same assurance given Moses - Mt 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ With His help, we can accomplish anything He wants us to do! - Ph 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
As will be apparent later, any excuse for not doing what the Lord has called us to do is simply a smokescreen. So it was with Moses, and we find him quickly coming up with another excuse, “What shall I say?” This excuse is found in Exo 3:13 “Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?"’ Moses knew that should he go to the children of Israel, there were bound to be questions such as, “Who is this God who sent you to us?” And perhaps, “Why are we to leave this country we have come to consider our home for over 400 years?” -- Moses expresses inadequacy in knowing what to say. Again, God’s response was quick, “Thus you shall say...” - Exo 3:14-15 “God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” God tells Moses what he needs to say in response to their questions.
Again, a similar excuse is sometimes given today. We try to excuse ourselves by saying that our knowledge is inadequate. But God has told us what to say.... It is really quite simple - Mk 16:15-16 “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” How simple? - 1 Co 15:1-4 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”; 2:2 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” And so, as with Moses, we have no reason for saying “what shall I say?”
As we return to Moses, we see that despite God instructing him what to say, he soon raises a third objection, “Suppose they will not believe me?” This excuse is found in Exo 4:1 “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.'" Now that he knows what to say, he balks at the idea that the people may not listen. Is he afraid of failing? Has he already forgotten that God will be with him? God responds by equipping him with several convincing proofs.... The rod, which turns into a serpent - Exo 4:2-5 “The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff." And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the LORD said to Moses, "Put out your hand and catch it by the tail"--so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand-- "that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."’ His own hand, which turns into leprosy - Exo 4:6-8 “Again, the LORD said to him, "Put your hand inside your cloak." And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, "Put your hand back inside your cloak." So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. "If they will not believe you," God said, "or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign.” The water, which will turn to blood when dropped on the dry ground - Exo 4:9 “If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground."’
Some today hesitate to share the gospel for fear that they will not be listened to. The fear of failure keeps them from trying. But just as God gave Moses convincing proofs, so He has given us the evidences necessary to convince the honest and sincere person.... The Word of God, is able to produce faith - Ro 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”; Jn 20:30-31 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Especially its evidences concerning the resurrection of Christ, fulfilled prophecy, etc. -- With such aids, we cannot justify our inactivity in sharing the gospel with others!
You would think by now Moses would accept the call; but a fourth excuse is quickly given... “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” We find this excuse in EXO 4:10 “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."’ Moses claims that he is not an eloquent speaker. But God is not moved by this objection.... He already knows the inability of those He calls - Exo 4:11 “Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” But He is able to make up for anyone’s shortcomings. Again, promising to be with Moses - Exo 4:12 “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."’ He had even arranged for Aaron to be Moses’ mouthpiece - Exo 4:14-16 “Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.” (who was sent earlier so as to arrive about this time - Exo 4:27 “The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.”)
Some Christians try to use this excuse as well. But it did not stop the apostle Paul - 1 Co 2:1,3-4 “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.” – “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,.” It has not stopped others. I know of some who overcame speech impediments to become preachers. I know of one who despite stammering would preach any opportunity he could. At the very least, we can make use of those who can speak by arranging studies for them with others (as did Cornelius - Ac 10:24,33 “And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” – “So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.")
We have considered four excuses that Moses gave; but as mentioned earlier, they were really smokescreens. The true reason for all these excuses is found and revealed in Exo 4:13 “But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."’ Moses simply did not want to go! The previous excuses were simply a smokescreen attempt to hide this fact! Now that the smokescreen is removed, God’s impatience with Moses becomes evident. His anger was kindled against Moses - Exo 4:14a “Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses”. Read vs. 15-17 with an emphasis on the word “shall” to appreciate the Lord’s anger.
The same is true with us today…! Any and every excuse we could offer is only a smokescreen. We really would rather that God use someone else! We really don’t want to do what God has called us to do’. But, the Lord’s anger is kindled against those who do not live up to their calling! -- If we have been making excuses, we need to repent!
With Moses, we know the rest of the story.... Moses answered the call, and went to Egypt. With the help of God, he delivered the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. But, what about us? What will be the rest of our story...? Shall we heed the call to preach the gospel to the lost? Or shall we make excuses and one day suffer the wrath of God? -- Only time will tell, but I pray that I encouraged all not to make excuses...
What about the call to obey the gospel of Christ? Are you making excuses for not responding as you know you should? A future lesson will address some of the excuses people give for putting off their obedience, but if you know what you should do, you need to act today!
Exodus 3:1-4:17
When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush he called him to the task of leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. In response, Moses gave excuses as to why he did not think he was the man for the job. The excuses of Moses, and God’s response to them, will serve as the basis for our study. For in a similar way, as God’s people today, we have received from God a special calling. Not to go to a country to deliver those in physical bondage, but to a world to deliver those in the bondage of sin - Mk 16:15 “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”; 1 Pe 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” -- Too often, though, we behave just like Moses, making the very same excuses!
Let’s begin by reading Exo 3:1-10, refreshing our memories of how God called Moses. Reminded of this call, we are now ready to consider the first of five excuses given by Moses, “Who am I?” found in Exo 3:11 “But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"’ Though Moses was once a member of the ruling house of Egypt he was now but a lowly shepherd. 40 years had passed since he had been in Egypt. He was an 80 year old man, already past the average life span for his generation. -- This prompted Moses to wonder whether he was the right man for the job. But God’s response was quick, and should have been adequate.... “I will certainly be with you...” - Exo 3:12 “He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."’ God promised to be with Moses, and this alone should have been sufficient. As Paul later wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Ro 8:31
Some use this same excuse today, trying to excuse ourselves by believing that we are insufficient for the task. It is true that by ourselves that we are insufficient, but God can make us sufficient - 2 Co 3:5-6 “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Look what He did with the apostles! They were uneducated and untrained men - Ac 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Through Jesus, God has provided us the same assurance given Moses - Mt 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ With His help, we can accomplish anything He wants us to do! - Ph 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
As will be apparent later, any excuse for not doing what the Lord has called us to do is simply a smokescreen. So it was with Moses, and we find him quickly coming up with another excuse, “What shall I say?” This excuse is found in Exo 3:13 “Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?"’ Moses knew that should he go to the children of Israel, there were bound to be questions such as, “Who is this God who sent you to us?” And perhaps, “Why are we to leave this country we have come to consider our home for over 400 years?” -- Moses expresses inadequacy in knowing what to say. Again, God’s response was quick, “Thus you shall say...” - Exo 3:14-15 “God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” God tells Moses what he needs to say in response to their questions.
Again, a similar excuse is sometimes given today. We try to excuse ourselves by saying that our knowledge is inadequate. But God has told us what to say.... It is really quite simple - Mk 16:15-16 “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” How simple? - 1 Co 15:1-4 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”; 2:2 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” And so, as with Moses, we have no reason for saying “what shall I say?”
As we return to Moses, we see that despite God instructing him what to say, he soon raises a third objection, “Suppose they will not believe me?” This excuse is found in Exo 4:1 “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.'" Now that he knows what to say, he balks at the idea that the people may not listen. Is he afraid of failing? Has he already forgotten that God will be with him? God responds by equipping him with several convincing proofs.... The rod, which turns into a serpent - Exo 4:2-5 “The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff." And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the LORD said to Moses, "Put out your hand and catch it by the tail"--so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand-- "that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."’ His own hand, which turns into leprosy - Exo 4:6-8 “Again, the LORD said to him, "Put your hand inside your cloak." And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, "Put your hand back inside your cloak." So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. "If they will not believe you," God said, "or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign.” The water, which will turn to blood when dropped on the dry ground - Exo 4:9 “If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground."’
Some today hesitate to share the gospel for fear that they will not be listened to. The fear of failure keeps them from trying. But just as God gave Moses convincing proofs, so He has given us the evidences necessary to convince the honest and sincere person.... The Word of God, is able to produce faith - Ro 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”; Jn 20:30-31 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Especially its evidences concerning the resurrection of Christ, fulfilled prophecy, etc. -- With such aids, we cannot justify our inactivity in sharing the gospel with others!
You would think by now Moses would accept the call; but a fourth excuse is quickly given... “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” We find this excuse in EXO 4:10 “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."’ Moses claims that he is not an eloquent speaker. But God is not moved by this objection.... He already knows the inability of those He calls - Exo 4:11 “Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” But He is able to make up for anyone’s shortcomings. Again, promising to be with Moses - Exo 4:12 “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."’ He had even arranged for Aaron to be Moses’ mouthpiece - Exo 4:14-16 “Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.” (who was sent earlier so as to arrive about this time - Exo 4:27 “The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.”)
Some Christians try to use this excuse as well. But it did not stop the apostle Paul - 1 Co 2:1,3-4 “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.” – “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,.” It has not stopped others. I know of some who overcame speech impediments to become preachers. I know of one who despite stammering would preach any opportunity he could. At the very least, we can make use of those who can speak by arranging studies for them with others (as did Cornelius - Ac 10:24,33 “And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” – “So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.")
We have considered four excuses that Moses gave; but as mentioned earlier, they were really smokescreens. The true reason for all these excuses is found and revealed in Exo 4:13 “But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."’ Moses simply did not want to go! The previous excuses were simply a smokescreen attempt to hide this fact! Now that the smokescreen is removed, God’s impatience with Moses becomes evident. His anger was kindled against Moses - Exo 4:14a “Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses”. Read vs. 15-17 with an emphasis on the word “shall” to appreciate the Lord’s anger.
The same is true with us today…! Any and every excuse we could offer is only a smokescreen. We really would rather that God use someone else! We really don’t want to do what God has called us to do’. But, the Lord’s anger is kindled against those who do not live up to their calling! -- If we have been making excuses, we need to repent!
With Moses, we know the rest of the story.... Moses answered the call, and went to Egypt. With the help of God, he delivered the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. But, what about us? What will be the rest of our story...? Shall we heed the call to preach the gospel to the lost? Or shall we make excuses and one day suffer the wrath of God? -- Only time will tell, but I pray that I encouraged all not to make excuses...
What about the call to obey the gospel of Christ? Are you making excuses for not responding as you know you should? A future lesson will address some of the excuses people give for putting off their obedience, but if you know what you should do, you need to act today!
