The Calling of Moses
As a man, what is the first thing we see him do? (Exo. 2:11-12)
We see him kill an Egyptian who was abusing his Hebrew brethren.
Why did he do that? Stephen gives us some insight (Acts 7:23-25).
First, we see that he was 40 years old by this point.
He came to “visit his brethren” which suggests he was living as an Egyptian, thought to what extent it’s hard to say.
Earlier it does say He was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds” (v. 22).
So, he knew he was a Hebrew—why did he kill the Egyptian? He decided to defend and avenge his abused brother.
Then he supposed something—what did he suppose?
He was interested in delivering his brethren right then and there, but they didn’t get it.
So when it became obvious that the news had gotten out that he killed the Egyptian, he fled—Pharaoh wanted to kill him.
What kind of affect do you think think this had on Moses? He believed he would deliver his people from Egyptian bondage (from his ivory tower?). Do you think he had doubts after this? Yes, as we’ll soon see.
He tried to force God’s timing—not unlike Abraham forcing God’s timing with Hagar and Ishmael.
It is this kind of mindset that Moses had going into his chat with God at the burning bush. He tried to deliver his people, but failed because the people didn’t understand what he was trying to do.
He fled to Midian, got married, and had two sons, all while working as a shepherd of his father-in-law’s flocks. For how long? (Acts 7:30).
40 years; so he is 80 years old now (Exo. 7:7).
At least in David’s time, 80 years old is considered “very aged” (2 Sam. 19:32).
In Moses’ psalm, he said strong people lived to be 80 (Psalm 90:10), though his father, grandfather, and great-father all lived to be 133 or older (Amram, Kohath, Levi – Exo. 6:16, 18, 20).
He is still an old man, thinking about his failure for 40 years.
Then God appears to Moses in the burning bush and reveals to him that he would deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. What was Moses’ first reaction?
Who am I to do this?
One might think this is showing Moses’ humility (which, in fact, we learn he is very humble – Num. 12:3), but he uses this humility to give excuses and show cowardice.
This is after God tells him His name and promises that his people would listen to him and that He would deliver them by His mighty hand.
First excuse: What if they won’t listen to me? (Exo. 4:1).
They didn’t listen to him before—why should now be any different?
God gives him three signs (Exo. 4:2-9): staff to a snake, leprous hand, water to blood.
Moses later went to the elders and showed them these signs and they believed (Exo. 4:29-31).
Moses had no signs previously.
So why didn’t this (the promises and the signs) convince Moses?
Second excuse: Not eloquent and slow of speech/tongue (Exo. 4:10).
It is at this point that I believe his cowardice is revealed.
He was ready before, but he didn’t yet have God’s promises or signs.
Such things were good enough for Abraham, and later for Gideon.
God says He will tell Moses what to say (Exo. 4:11-12).
Third excuse: Send someone else (Exo. 4:13).
Perhaps he was happy where he was.
His only responsibilities were to his wife, children, and the flock he was taking care of.
God sends his brother Aaron to help him (Exo. 4:14-16).
Moses was reluctant to the call (he didn’t recognize the concept of “Just As I Am”)—yet he became a bold leader of the Israelites. This shows that God can still use us, regardless of where we are—even if we don’t really want to be used. He was reluctant at first, but he didn’t stay that way. There were discouragements along the way (like what? – Pharaoh not listening, taking straw away, and the people getting angry at Moses and Aaron; Pharaoh not convinced by the miracles and plagues; Pharaoh coming after them even after they had been set free; the people complaining; rebellion after rebellion – e.g. Aaron and Miriam, Num. 12; trying to take the land after told not to, Num. 14; Korah, Dathan, Abiram, Num 16), but in the end, the people were delivered.