As I shared on the last post, I didn’t want to share what God told me to share. I felt unqualified, judged and that no one would listen to me anyway. God kept bringing Moses to my mind. In Exodus 3 and 4 we learn about God calling Moses into service and how Moses responded. Before we get too far into that I have to share what my CSB translation shares about the “burning bush” – because it kinda cracks me up.
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro,† the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb,† the mountain of God.† 2 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush.† As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. 3 So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up? ”
Exodus 3:1-3
Really? “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush” and he thought “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight.” How many of you think that is quite a tame response to such a magnificent sight? If it was me I would have been “holy buckets! where’s my phone I gotta get a picture of this!” and then I would have been hollering out to everyone I know!
alright sorry for that quick side track – but it is in the next verses that God calls out to Moses and tells him what he wants him to do. God has chosen Moses to deliver the chosen people from the oppression and slavery they are suffering in Egypt.
Beginning in Exodus 3:11 Moses questions God the first time “who am I?” and God reassured him- “I will be with you…when you bring the people out of Egypt” notice God says WHEN not If...but Moses is not convinced and asks again “what do I say when they ask who sent me” – notice – God has already told Moses “I am the one who sent you” God replies “I AM!…this is how I am to be remembered in every generation” – every generation (that means you and me too!!) and in verse 18 God says “They will listen to what you say.” Notice- God doesn’t say you will make them listen to you. God just says “they will listen to you.”
But still Moses is unconvinced and again he questions God in 4:1 “What if they wont believe me and will not obey me…” God provides more miracles to show Moses he means business (because like most humans Moses needs to see proof – can you relate?)
In verse 10 Moses starts to beg “Please Lord, I have never been eloquent….my mouth and tongue are sluggish” and still again God reassured him (how many times does God have to reassure me or tell me what to do before I listen?)
God says “who placed a mouth on humans?” (I wonder if he regrets that decision)
and again he says “I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say”
But still… Moses begs…”Please, Lord, send someone else.”
Finally God has had enough and he agrees to allow Aaron (Moses’ brother) to help him.
God is relentless. If he has a job for us to do he is not going to back down no matter how many times we say no or beg him to send someone else. But oh the sweet blessings of obedience!!! I wondered why God felt distant when I wouldn’t listen to what he was telling me to do. He was still there but he was not going to let it go…not going to let me go. He wasn’t distant from me but my stubbornness caused me to feel distant from him. Since obeying him and sharing last week I have felt something change inside of me. I am excited to awake each day and see what He has to share with me and I pray for guidance and wisdom to know when it is time to share with you. It is not my job to make you listen to me (and that is a hard one for me to learn. I want you to listen and respond and share and keep the spark going…but I can’t make that happen). It is my job to listen to God, to do what He tells me to do and to enjoy the blessings that follow obedience.
- Have you ever felt like Moses and begged God to send someone else?
- Have you ever asked God to show you His will for you?
- Do you make excuses for your disobedience?
- How can you open your heart to hear from Him today?
Until next time. Dwell with God, dwell with His people and dwell in His Word!!!
Gena Christofferson 