Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:1-4 NIV
Moses was going about his daily routine just like he had probably done a hundred times before, then something different happened. He noticed the bush was burning. That alone was probably different, but maybe not different enough for him to go over and look. But it kept burning, and burning, and burning. Once Moses got up, broke his routine, and went to see why the fire was not consuming the bush, God spoke to Him. God may not use a burning bush to get our attention, but He does beckons us to set everything aside, break from our normal routine, come near to Him and give Him our full attention. When we take the time to focus completely on Him, He speaks to our hearts and we too can hear His voice.
Why did God speak to Moses on this occasion? Because He had a job He wanted him to do.
And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:9-10 NIV
Why Moses? If you know the history of Moses, you have to realize that God had been preparing him for this task his whole life! He should have been killed at birth, according to the law, but his mom had kept him hidden for the first 3 months of his life. When she could hide him no longer, she coated a basket with tar and pitch and floated him in the reeds along the bank of the Nile where Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing. Upon discovering the baby, Pharaoh’s daughter rescued Moses. By God’s grace, his own mother was paid to nurse him while young, then he went to live with Pharaoh’s daughter. As Moses grew, God gave him a heart to rescue the children of Israel. One day he stepped in to help an Israelite who was being beaten by an Egyptian, but when he realized the Hebrews did not embrace his help and that it had become known he killed an Egyptian, he was frightened and fled to the land of Midian. Exodus 2
So you would think that Moses would embrace the chance to go back and bring the Israelites out of Egypt, right? Not so.
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11 NIV
Moses was afraid! Have you ever had the clear understanding that God wanted you to do something but you were too frightened to do it? Maybe you weren’t sure you had the ability to pull it off. Have you ever wished God would just choose someone else? I love God’s patience with Moses as He works through this. Listen to some of the things Moses says to God and see if you can relate to his thoughts and his fears.
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” Exodus 3:13 NIV
Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Exodus 4:1 NIV
Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:10 NIV
But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Exodus 4:13 NIV
Although years had passed, Moses remembered their reaction the last time he tried to step in and help. He’s afraid they’ll react the same way this time. It’s a tough assignment to lead people that don’t embrace you as their leader! Ask any pastor who has followed a long term pastor and they will share with you the difficulty of such an assignment. Do you think God understood the fear Moses was wrestling with? Listen to some of the reassurances He gave Moses.
And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” Exodus 3:12 NIV
“The elders of Israel will listen to you.” Exodus 3:18a NIV
“But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go. And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed.” Exodus 3:19-21 NIV
“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:12 NIV
God also gave Moses three miracles that he could perform in front of the people to convince them that God had sent him! Here’s what I take away from this account. God is active in our lives, intervening throughout, preparing us to do what he calls us to do. Our abilities and strengths are irrelevant because He is with us enabling us to accomplish the work He gives us. It’s His power at work through us, not our own strength that matters. He understands our fears and gives us all the support we need when we are hesitant and afraid to move forward. If God is with us, we cannot fail! How will you respond the next time He gives you a job to do?