From Exodus 4-6
Q. What makes you angry?
Overview
Ex 4.1-17 Story; Moses tries to get out of Gods
request
Ex 4.18-23 Story; Moses is to return and command
the release of Israel God’s firstborn son
Ex 4.24-26 Story; The LORD tries to kill Moses
because his son was uncircumcised
Ex 4.27-31 Story; Moses and Aaron tell Israel and
the people believe
Ex 5.1-23 Story; Pharaoh rejects the LORDs demands
and places greater burdens on Israel
Ex 6.1-13 Story; The LORD promises deliverance and
sends Moses in again
Ex 6.14-27 Genealogy; The family record of Moses
and Aaron
Ex 6.28-30 Story; Recounting the LORD’s commission
of Moses and Moses protest
Passage and Comments
Moses is blessed with the incredible job of being
God’s instrument in saving his people from slavery and he tries to refuse Gods
request. I'm sure given the chance again he would not repeat the same mistake.
None the less read what happens.
[10] But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” [11] Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? [12] Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” [13] But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” [14] Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. [15] You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. [16] He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. [17] And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” (Exodus 4:10-17)
When presented with the command of God Moses denies
his ability to perform it. 'I cant do it' is his protest. I have a stutter, I'm
not ready, they won't believe me, please choose someone else. In scripture this
attitude only kindles the LORD's anger. Why? Because Moses here should have had
trust in God, that despite his weaknesses God would overcome them. At the heart
of the protest, 'I can't do it', is unbelief. Not only of oneself, but of God.
When Gods people hear the voice of God, do they listen and obey, or reject and
do nothing?
Now I would like to switch stance. How many times
does God refer to himself in the singular? Check this out.
God spoke to Moses and said to him,
“I am the LORD.
I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God
Almighty, but by my name the LORD
I did not make myself known to them.
I also established my covenant with them to give
them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners.
Moreover,
I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel
whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and
I have remembered my covenant.
Say therefore to the people of Israel,
‘I am the LORD, and
I will bring you out from under the burdens of the
Egyptians, and
I will deliver you from slavery to them, and
I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with
great acts of judgment.
I will take you to be my people, and
I will be your God, and you shall know that
I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out
from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
I will bring you into the land that
I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
I will give it to you for a possession.
I am the LORD.’” (Exodus 6:2-8)
Such an impressive demonstration of the single
sidedness of Gods work in salvation. So how shall we hold together these two
scriptures? This way - when God commands his people, we need to remember that
they are already saved and assured of future salvation. So simply, personal
salvation isn't the issue. The issue for us is, do you want to be used by God
in the salvation of others? Do you want to please God? The God who saved you is
asking. Unbelief is not the only thing at the heart of the protest, so was
selfishness.
Story of Israel
Throughout all Israel’s history, time and time
again we see God being faithful to his promises. God is righteous. But Israel
fails to live up to her calling. It seems Israel needed rescuing as well.
Story of Jesus
Jesus didn't spend his time on earth worrying how
he could be saved. When God commanded he obeyed. Even at the garden of
Gethsemane his attitude wasn't I can't do it, I can't do it. When presented
with the choice to be tortured unto death and separated from God so that others
may be joined to God, he willingly obeyed. Now he is risen from the dead and he
asks that we follow him.