Why Not Us?
The Story of Moses
Exodus 4:1-17
There are a lot of file folders in my office, although computers have allowed me to eliminate a good number of them over the past few years. But I keep a lot of important papers, information about missionaries, weddings that I’ve performed, financial information for the church. For almost 10 years now I’ve had a special file in my office – it’s titled “Julie’s pictures”.
You will only find a couple of pictures of my daughter in the file – it’s mostly filled with pictures that she has drawn and colored for me over the years. Especially important are the ones that say “I love you Daddy” on them. But every one of those drawings and coloring pages holds a special place in my heart. In one sense they are not the work of Michelangelo or DaVinci, but in another sense they are ever so much more precious and beautiful. Why? Because my daughter drew and colored them.
Often our kids will come to us, especially in their growing up years, but even as adults, seeking our approval and the validation of their investment in something. Artwork, sports, homework and riding a bike are just a few of the things they show us, looking for a “good job” or a “that’s wonderful.” Most of them have learned that as parents we’ll always be supportive and they can count on us for encouragement and love.
That assurance – that we will love and support them no matter what – is the reason they come with confidence when they color outside the lines or make that first cake that didn’t quite rise and say, “Look what I did mommy! Isn’t it good?” They know we’ll smile and say, “That’s awesome! You’re the best little cook in the whole world!”
But somewhere along the line, maybe it’s when we feel rejection for the first time at school, or ridicule because we don’t fit in with the expectations of others, we lose that measure of confidence that the complete acceptance of our parents gave us. Instead of boldly offering our contributions to the world, we become tentative and timid, afraid that what we receive for our efforts might be hurtful instead of positive.
Early in Moses’ life he must have felt confident. Maybe it was because of the influence he possessed after being raised up under the care of the King’s daughter. Maybe it was just youthful optimism that says, “I can do anything I put my mind to.” Whatever the case, Moses acted without much thought for what others might say – at least until he killed an Egyptian and tried to hide it.
Exodus 2:11-14
Forty years later give or take, God called him to take the place of leadership he once believed he was destined for. Only now, after lots of time to think, he’s not so sure he’s the man for the job. So he tries to talk God out of using him.
Exodus 4:1-9
A Question of Credibility
Moses is not looking to lead Israel out of Egypt. He wasn’t out in the desert scheming ways to get back into the game there. No, he was tending sheep and living a life that, by all evidence, he was pretty content in.
God had other ideas that Moses was not too excited about. When God told him in Exodus 3:10, “Now go for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” that’s all he needed to hear.
Having already questioned and received answers about his own abilities and the true identity of God, Moses continues to probe for an excuse that would exempt him from this leadership role.
***Like jury duty. We make excuses until we find one that works.
Moses says, “Why me, Lord? Will I have any credibility with the folks back home? After all, they know me.”
Past failures were an issue with Moses. If you remember, he’d taken one run at this leadership thing as a much younger man and it backfired on him. Surely there were people around who would bring up those missteps and question his fitness.
My wife & I were youth pastors for eight years in our hometown. It can be difficult trying to lead people who watched you grow up, especially if they knew some of the stuff you were involved in before you were serving God. From a strictly human point of view, Moses had a legitimate concern. But those who God calls he equips, even to overcome their past. God put tools in Moses’ hands that would answer even the harshest critics.
A Question of Vulnerability
While his critics might have been convinced, Moses wasn’t. He felt he was better equipped than anyone, apparently even God, to understand his limitations. And by placing him in an up-front position with a speaking role, God was putting him in a position of what he felt was great vulnerability.
Exodus 4:10-12 But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” 11Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? 12Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
The Lord might well have said, “Sure you’d be in trouble if I was sending you out on your own! But I’m not!”
Remember what God told Moses back in chapter 3?
Exodus 3:12 God answered, “I will be with you.”
There it is. You might have a problem on your own. But you’re not on your own. I’m the one who gives you a mouth. I’m the one who allows it to work. And I’m the one who will put words in it for you to speak. You’re not alone, I’m with you!
A Question of Availability
Having run out of excuses and seeing that God certainly had all the answers to his insecurities, Moses tried one final tactic: He just begged off.
Exodus 4:13-17
Moses essentially tells God, “No.” I’ve exhausted all of my seemingly legitimate excuses so as a last resort I’ll just say, “God, I don’t want to go. I don’t feel adequate, I’m not sure you know what you’re talking about here and I’m just not ready to go. Take someone else.”
At the end of the day, our availability is what God wants. Is the mission possible for you on your own? Maybe not. There is every possibility that you could fail if left to your own devices – and rest assured that if that’s the case, God is fully briefed on the situation. After all, he created you. He knows you.
But your ability was never what God was looking for in the first place. If He has chosen you as the one for the job, He’ll be with you and equip you for the challenge. What God is looking for is willingness. Will you trust him and place yourself at His disposal?
Let’s go back for moment to our discussion of kids and their artwork. While it’s true that as parents we generally try to be as encouraging as possible with our kids, isn’t it also true that God is a far better father than any of us dads can claim to be?
Luke 11:11-13
While in context Jesus is speaking specifically of prayer and receiving the Holy Spirit, he’s also making a point about our Father in Heaven. We call Him God. Jesus says any good parent will give good things to their kids. So God being perfect is the best of all at taking care of us!
When my kids were smaller, and even now, if I asked them to draw me a picture or make me a sandwich, they didn’t stop for a moment to compare themselves with Van Gogh or Emeril. They would go and create the very best they knew how and they were confident that what they brought back would thrill my heart. And they were right!
What’s that got to do with Moses? Well here it is: Moses’ greatest fear was that what he had to offer in terms of fulfilling God’s call wouldn’t be enough. People would reject him and take him for a fool. God’s response is this: “What is that in your hand?” In other words, all you need to give in response to my call is what I’ve put in your hands. That will be enough for me – in fact, it will be more than enough. It will be awesome!
We’ve talked for three or four weeks now about answering the call of God on your life. You may be feeling that call in a powerful way, but you’re like a kid who’s been made fun of for your art project or how you play kickball – you’re gun shy to ever be put in that situation again.
As parents, if we were looking for art to place in a museum in London or Paris, we’d look for the work of the great artists of all time. But if we want something that will bring joy to our hearts we look at the pictures our kids color for us. Why? Because those are the pictures done with a heart filled with love for us. Those are the pictures that bring us delight. For the rest of my life I’m going to keep that file in my office of Julie’s pictures. It will never stop giving me joy.
Your God calls you because his heart delights in you. True, we don’t always produce stuff that you’d put in a museum. But what we bring to him comes from a heart of love, and just like those coloring pages from pre-school, God is delighted when we do the best we can do because we love Him. At that moment nothing anyone else thinks matters.
Will you bring the best you have to offer for God? Will you listen to His call on your life and come to him just like you came to your parents when you were three, with confidence that he’s going to respond with joy and enthusiasm over your very best effort, no matter what others might think of it? That’s what God is looking for today.
