Have you ever been called by God to do something specific and resisted doing so? If that is true of yourself, you are in good company as most Christians are hesitant and struggle to take steps of faith when called. In today’s passage, from Exodus 3:1 – 4:17, we see that Moses, like us, is called by God for a very specific purpose. However, also like us, Moses resists this call. In fact, Moses argues or questions God five times.  They are as follows:

By studying this text, it is obvious that Moses, like we presently do, saw himself as inadequate, ineffective, incompetent and inexperienced. However, God called Moses anyway and, despite our fears and doubts, He has and will continue to call us as well.

For 40 years in the wilderness, God is discipling Moses in life experiences. He is a shepherd and soon will be the shepherd of Israel. Like God did with Moses, God often takes us into desert places to meet with us; for only there do we give our undivided attention to Him. In the early verses of chapter 3, Moses is caring for his father-in-law’s flock at Mt. Horeb when he sees a burning bush. However, the bush is not consumed and the angel of the LORD appears to Moses in the flames. As Moses steps closer to the bush, God calls out and says “Moses, Moses” (Exodus 3:4). After Moses responds, the voice continues: “Do not come near; take off your sandals, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). The voice identifies himself by saying “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6).  In this instance, the angel of the LORD is God, a theophany–a manifestation of God. Here, Moses responds like anyone exposed to the holiness of God would; he hides his face because he is afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:6).  It is at this moment and from this miraculous burning bush that God commissions a reluctant Moses to lead the enslaved Hebrews out of Egypt (Exodus 3:7-8, 10). Following this (Exodus 1:11), we see the first of Moses’ five responses where he questions or argues with God by saying “Who am I?”

By claiming “Who am I?”, Moses claims inadequacy because of his past. After all, he was raised in an Egyptian palace and was surrounded with Egyptian culture. What does Moses know of the difficulties of the Hebrew people? Also, how could God call a murderer to serve Him in this way? Moses also claims inadequacy because of his present since all he has been is a lowly shepherd for the past 40 years. Finally, Moses claims inadequacy because of his future. You want me to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:11)?  Christian, we must understand that while God calls us to live by faith, He also provides. His provision is His presence.  We know this because of what He tells Moses in Exodus 3:12. The sign of God’s presence will not be visibly seen by Moses until he leaves Egypt with the Israelites and returns to Mt. Horeb with them. Brothers and sisters, as God did with Moses, He promises His presence to us when we follow Him in faith (even if that faith is reluctant or weak); however, also like Moses, you and I will not see the sign of this promise until the deliverance comes. Often, walking in faith will cause us to become spiritually disoriented. “Who am I?” can be asked with skepticism or defiance. But, one thing is absolutely certain; when we respond with inadequacy, God’s assurance is that He will be with us just as he was with Moses!

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