God called a man who thought himself ineloquent and with impeded speech to speak before a king. In fact, he wasn’t called just to speak, but to demand the release of all the slaves. He was called to walk into a nation and upturn their society. One man, with what scholars believe to be a stutter and who worked for his father-in-law out in the fields, was presented with this grand destiny. And he said no.
Exodus 3 tells the story of God appearing to Moses through a burning bush. Moses, like many of us are prone to do, began to question God. He begins to play out the conversation in his head and weigh out each scenario. He wasn’t looking for a way; he was looking for a way out. Moses saw a task in front of him so big he knew it was beyond his ability to accomplish.
“So because 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
From Exodus 3:11 through Exodus 4:12, Moses continues to ask questions, and God, in His mercy, continues to provide assurance and physical evidence of His supernatural backing. The Bible doesn’t say this, but I imagine Moses thought his standoff with the Pharaoh would result in imprisonment, enslavement, or death. I can presume that this was his thought because it is often my immediate response when God asks me to pursue a task that is beyond my strength. I could give up my pet sin, but the result might be bondage to my anxiety and depression. I could use the gifts He has given me, but I might be a slave to expectations and a level of accountability I don’t want. I could surrender unhealthy habits in my life, but my pride might have to die. Thus, the response that I have is many times the same exclamation that Moses had in Exodus 4:13.
Moses said, “Please, Lord, send someone else.” Exodus 4:13
The Bible isn’t a choose-your-own-adventure book, so I can’t presume to tell you how a Moses and Pharaoh showdown would have gone down. I can tell you what the Bible says happened. God was angry with Moses, but had compassion for the Israelites. His sovereign plan was not ended by the response of a stubborn man. In fact He had already moved Aaron to come meet Moses and so they could both be sent before the Pharaoh.
Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses, and he said, “Isn’t Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, he is on his way now to meet you. He will rejoice when he sees you. You will speak with him and tell him what to say. I will help both you and him to speak and will teach you both what to do. He will speak to the people for you. He will serve as a mouth for you, and you will serve as God to him. And take this staff in your hand that you will perform the signs with.” Exodus 4:14-17
One might question, if God was planning to send Aaron all along, why press Moses at all? Why go through all the questions and reassert His will over and over? Let’s hold those thoughts and move forward quickly. They went, they spoke the words God had given them, God’s miraculous power was shown, and the Israelites were released. You might read this a little differently than I do, but my initial thought is one of confirmation. It appears to be scriptural evidence of God changing His plans to suit man and everything being accomplished without repercussion. While the situation seemed to go exactly how it should have gone in Egypt and the slaves were released, that was not the end of the story. In Exodus 32 after Moses had been with God on the mountaintop for over a month, the Israelites were getting restless and went to Aaron for a solution.
So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. ~Exodus 32:2-6
As I said, the Bible isn’t a choose-your-own-adventure story. I can’t flip to page 403 and reveal that with Moses’ quick obedience to God’s plan, the Israelites wouldn’t have been led astray. I can’t say that without Aaron in the picture a golden calf wouldn’t have been built, and the Israelites would have worshiped the one and only “I AM” with steadfast faith. I do know that God is omniscient.
I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will. Isaiah 46:10
God knew exactly how things would play out. Exodus 32:25 says, “Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose to the derision of their enemies).” This revelation of Moses had been already foreseen by God. As Exodus 32 continued to play out 3,000 men died as a result. Back to those questions and now even more. Why? Why was an all-knowing God sitting back and letting these scenes play out. I can only wonder, as I am not some well versed scholar, that it was a show of His character Moses showed his stubbornness, a reflection of the human nature in us all. God showed His grace, His deliverance, and His judgement.
In thinking about the things God has placed on your heart, what is your response? I see my wonderful friends who write so beautifully, speak so eloquently, and have so many blessings bestowed upon them by God. Sometimes I say, “Lord, just send them”. They know and love the Lord, their words are encouraging, and they are charismatic; the urge frequently arises in me to step back and remain silent. I want to take my typos and mistakes and sit in a corner watching them and others pursue their destinies while neglecting my own. Who am I to write about scripture? What will I say if someone asks who has given me the authority or credentials to speak about the Word of God? If I say God has spoken to me, will I be mocked or ridiculed? If you are like me, and like Moses, you may question what the Spirit of God has laid on your heart. Know that you are chosen by God, not by your choice. You didn’t get a survey in utero, nor did you make specific choices in your life through which God has crafted your destiny.
I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
While this is directed at Jeremiah, the truth of our divine formation remains. The God of all creation, who made and formed every part of our beings, handcrafted our destiny. The answer to our insecurities is simple. We are called by God. We have been given talents and skills by Him and are equipped with His power and authority to fulfill the calling He chose for our lives. If we fall, His grace covers us. If we are ridiculed, it is not us that is mocked; it is Christ in us, and God can surely handle those who scorn Him. Keep your head up and press toward your destiny. There are people who need what God has put inside you. You are chosen.