EXODUS 3:1-14
At the burning bush, Moses was intensely aware of his previous failures. “Moses said unto God,
Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out
of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11). Moses was aware that he had tried this once and it hadn’t worked.
He had so thoroughly mastered the lesson of human inadequacy that he was too timid, too
reserved and too nonaggressive to respond to the call of God. Before, he had been confident of
his own ability, but now he had absolutely no confidence. This is what God had taught him
during his 40 years in the desert, but God wanted Moses to respond to Him and to His ability.
The verses following Exodus 3:11 record a deeply revealing dialogue between God and Moses.
The once self-sufficient Egyptian prince pleaded total lack of qualification for the task God was
calling him to do. Moses was negative, but God was now dealing with him to be positive.
Moses had yet to understand what God meant when He said, “Certainly I will be with thee” (v.
12) and “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you” (v. 14).
Before, Moses had been too quick and impetuous; now he was too slow and reluctant. But what
a lesson God had for Moses and for us; His purpose will not be thwarted by the whims and
moods of His servants.
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the
behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him (2 Chron. 16:9).
Theodore Epp
www.backtothebible.in