EXODUS 4 Lesson # 4a
Fighting the Call of God
I. Greetings.
II. Introduction: Background.
Note: Last week we saw that God asked too much of Moses. Moses saw the burning bush and was terribly afraid. God asked for too much, in at least three ways:
1) God wanted him to go back to Egypt where he could die. He was wanted for murder there. 2) God wanted him to help people who did not believe him before. He had tried to help them before, and they rejected him. 3) Moses is no longer young, he is married, youthful idealism is gone, he has a family. He is in a comfort zone.
Q Does God ask too much today? Does God still ask in the same way: so-unreasonably?
An = Not if we can keep it reasonable. 1) We deeply appreciate those who serve the Lord and especially those who are honest and do so without arrogance. 2) We deeply want to help as long as it is reasonable.
Q Was God reasonable with Moses?
Q Did God ask for too much?
An = Moses seemed to think so, that is why he objects to God’s request. In chapter three we were shown Moses’ first two objections to taking the job:
1) Personal inadequacy: “Who am I?” 3:11
2) Disbelief of the people: “Israel will want a Name.” 3:13
Note: Now in chapter 4 Moses points out again the disbelief of the people and will come back to the theme of personal inadequacy.
Note: Has it ever crossed your mind that Moses is arguing with Almighty God? He seems to be telling God that God does not know what He is asking so Moses is trying to help God smell the coffee. Moses is helping God out. Lets see what help new help Moses is giving God.
III. The Third Objection: Exodus 4:1-9 Israel’s Disbelief: The Giving of the Signs.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:1.
Q What is Moses’ third objection?
An = Moses is just letting God know the facts. Moses knows that people will not believe someone who comes from the desert with such a ridiculous idea. Imagine one man saying he can free slaves from the most powerful ruler in the known world.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:2
Q God answers Moses’ question with a question, what is it?
An = a staff, a simple shepherds staff. Notice God begins with an easy question, but
now the questions end and commands begin. God begins by diverting his attention. Those of you who teach know that such approaches are often very affective. Let them focus on something tangible and then come back to the real issue.
Q How does one do this “indirect approach” give me an example of it?
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:3.
Q What happens to the staff and what is Moses’ reaction to it?
An = I like this story, Moses is truly afraid at first, he runs from the snake.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:4-5
Q What does command Moses next?
An = Then God tells him: “pick it up”. God has a habit of asking us to face what we fear.
Q What is God’s answer to Moses third objection?
An = Notice in 4:5 Moses has his answer. How will they believe? They will have a sign. These signs will accompany those that believe.
Note: Some say there must be signs and wonders, but I think that misses the point, the real point is that God Himself really has to be involved. The signs have a purpose but they are not the key.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:6-9.
Q What are the next two signs?
An = God shows him another sign tangibly in the form of the hand to leprosy sign and tells how to execute a third sign: the water to blood. You would think Moses would be satisfied.
IV. Fourth Objection: Exodus 4:10-12. Personal Inadequacy: God’s Presence and Teaching.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:10.
Q What is Moses’ fourth objection?
An = Moses does not speak well. Whether this means most had a speech impediment or was just not a good talker we do not know. What is clear is that Moses is back to personal inadequacy again. In his mind he is improperly equipped. He has no self confidence. He is telling God, lets get reasonable, lets get back to my inadequacies. I have personal and specific reasons for no self-confidence.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:11.
Q What is God’s answer to Moses?
An = God now reminds Moses to smell the coffee. God made us! And, in fact, God hints that He is involved with our physical handicaps! So God knows. Therefore: Go now, I will be with you and teach you what to say.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:12
Q What is God’s promise here.
An = God re-commissions Moses and then reminds him of an important fact: if there is going to be success, true success, in our ministry, or the ministry of our church, He will have to be with us and showing us what to do. He will have to be involved!! Imagine doing church work with God involved?
Q Does God, if we truly meet Him, push us too hard? Does He push until we can only rely on Him?
Q Is not God trying to force us to make Him the necessary, supernatural element in our ministry?
Q Do you like this? Is it necessary?
An = He is trying to move things from our good deeds, to “Christian ministry”. He forces us to work in such a way that He actually is involved with us. If we will step out then we will truly encounter God, the real God, and on His terms then people will be delivered. If we just want success, then God will not be involved.
V. Moses’ Final Refusal: Exodus 4:13-17.
Note: Moses seems to think God asks to much…
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 4:13.
Q What is Moses basically saying?
An = “No” He says it politely, mind you, “Lord, send whom ever you please.”
>>>> Lets see God’s Answer in 4:14-17, let me read this to you.
Q Is God happy?
An = God does not say, “Well, OK.” God has been patient up until now.. Now God is angry!
Q Does Moses take the job?
An = Notice that Moses does indeed take the job: in verse 18 we will notice that Moses is making preparations to leave home.
Note: When God gets angry, we are in trouble. God’s anger is never irrational, but always logically and morally justified. Anger in the Old Testament is another word (a metonomy) for judgment. God’s punishment will come in the form of his brother Aaron, who later betrays Moses in the Golden Calf rebellion. It was not God’s plan to use Aaron, but God does adjust to our lack of faith. His adjustments are often judgments.
VI. Conclusion:
Q Moses is given a call to serve someone besides himself, so does this call go to all believers.
Note: God has a way of asking us to serve in ways that are beyond what we know we can accomplish. God will ask too much.
RQ Is it not possible that if God never has done that with you, then you were never called.
Note: This will scare us, but it will force us to see that He, even He, will be the One who is with us. If we do not obey, we will never know His Presence.
Note: God will allow us to speak back, to tell Him how inadequate we are. Moses does it twice (3:11, 4:10) and God will allow us to tell Him how unbelieving others will be. Moses does that twice too (3:13, 4:1). How strange! The God, who demands we understand and acknowledge His holiness, does not stifle discussion, does not stifle debate, but listens to us as long as we are reasonable and will reasonably answer us.
Note: Notice, last of all. God wants us to commit in a tangible way, to get the ball rolling. Notice that the last command He gives Moses in 4:17: “Take the staff with you”.
–You see Moses tells his father-in-law he is going on a social call to when he goes back to Egypt, but it cannot be a social call if you take a “staff of God”.
>>>> read Exodus 4:20.
Q What is your “staff” today?
Q What tangible act of obedience does God want?
Q How can picking up a stick, a staff, be so important?
An = Until you tangibly obey, nothing begins.
>>>> Have everyone turn to Luke 8:43-44 and have someone read these two verses.
Notice the woman tangibly expresses her faith. She reaches out and touches His garment. If you read the Gospels carefully you will find this element present many times.
I do not know what your particular staff is, but if God is calling… you will know.