Arguements Against Serving God (The Excuses of Moses)

Exodus 3:11-4:17

L/W-Discussed God’s call on Moses’ life and the willing heart that God looks for

T/W-We discuss Moses’ response to God’s call

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Throughout Scripture we read of God calling and sending;

Abraham (Genesis 12)

Moses (Exodus 3)

Gideon (Judges 6)

Jonah (Jonah 1-4)

Disciples (The Gospels)

Saul/Paul (Acts 9)

We read about how God interjected Himself into the lives of these and others, called them, equipped them, and sent them out in service to Him to take the message of redemption and deliverance to those in bondage/affliction

Of all these people, one of the greatest calls ever given, was given to Moses—that He would be called to deliver God’s very own people out of bondage and slavery, and lead them to the promised land—is not only a divine privilege, but unequivocal proof that God hasn’t and doesn’t abandon the afflicted/oppresses/bound/the lost—those in Israel and those in bondage today

Today however, we see Moses’ response(s)—the excuses he gave the Lord in response to being called. Excuses that ultimately revealed the truth about Moses’ response to God’s call on his life. Scripture indicates Moses didn’t even want to go (Exodus 4:13 “But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”) The man who had said, “Here I am,” was not saying, “Here I am not”

How? We learned last week about how Moses was called, about the characteristics of Moses, and about the willing heart of Moses; so how did he get here—to the place he was arguing/making excuses/rejecting God’s call?

Ultimately, we must see that Moses focused too much on his weaknesses, looking through the lens of his flesh, rather than focusing through the lens of what assurances came in the promises God was making; and though God still sent him, we will see at the end that there was cost to Moses’ attitude.

There are other accounts, where we see those God desires to use, complain, run, doubt, and refuse to go—citing excuses, blaming weaknesses; interestingly the list mentioned above will be strikingly similar to this one:

Abraham (Genesis 12)

Abraham and his doubts and moment(s) of “helping God out”

Moses (Exodus 3)

Today’s sermon

Gideon (Judges 6)

Gideon and his anger/complaining/testing

Jonah (Jonah 1-4)

Jonah and his defiant retreating

Disciples (The Gospels)

Saul/Paul (Acts 9)

In reading these, it begs the question, how many of us—how many professing believers have rejected God’s call? How many have been called to preach/teach/serve, how many believers has the Holy Spirit convicted to go on mission or carry the message of Christ in evangelism? How many have been prompted by God to use a business, a job, or a part of their lives to share the Gospel of Jesus—yet refused? Who among us has come up with

Excuses for not going?

Excuses for not preaching

Excuses for not supporting the sending/commissioning of taking the gospel out to the world

As we get into our verses this morning, remember, man tends to use his own perspective when God calls; it’s a perspective that places parameters on our flesh, rather than the truth of what God’s Word promises

As we look at the arguments/excuses of Moses I pray we take an introspective look at ourselves and see if there are any of these excuses/arguments in us

5 arguments of Moses

I. (3:11-12) ARGUMENT 1: Moses felt incapable/unqualified

Exodus 3:11-12 “But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.””

Moses’ excuse: “Who I am, that I should go?”

Think of what God was calling Moses to do:

Go before an Egyptian king

Go and deliver Israel out of captivity and slavery

Think of Moses’ perspective: This perspective shows both an attitude of humility and fear to God

He was only a simple/lowly shepherd—a simple/lowly man

He was far removed (both in years and distance) from Egypt—it’s government/affairs/way of life

Moses resolution:

Moses felt incapable, unqualified, and inadequate

God’s response (2 promises from God)

There was the promise of God’s presence: “I will be with you.”

God’s very own presence would be with Moses—God Himself

Would give whatever inner strength and ability

Would provide the confidence, assurance, and faith for the task at hand

Would lead, guide, and work things out

God’s promise of His presence was given time and time again in Scripture

Genesis 28:15 “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.””

Deuteronomy 31:23 “Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.””

Jeremiah 1:8 “Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.”

Haggai 1:13 “Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the Lord.””

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

There was the promise of a successful mission: the people would be delivered

This was not a statement of maybe, if, or I hope so—this was a promise of, “It shall be done,” I will do this thing.,” it will happen.”

Moses would bring them out, and they would worship God on the very mountain Moses met God on

This was a sign to Moses—a sign that he was indeed called and appointed by God

This sign was a future sign—a sign that Moses had to believe

Moses’ response to these promises?

He still refused/made excuses

He just wanted to live as he wished—to do his own thing

He made more excuses

(You and me)

In God’s call on the believer’s life, the reality is—in our own strength

No person is qualified to serve God

No person is capable, adequate, or sufficient

In God’s call on the believer’s life, the reality is—we often sense our

Own inadequacy

Own insufficiency

Own feelings that we are incapable

What we do: we become like Moses

We make excuses and we justify them

We prefer to stay comfortable

We prefer our lives to remain the same way they’ve always been

What we must remember about what God promises; to Moses, to others, and to us:

Deuteronomy 20:1 ““When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.”

Exodus 33:14 “And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

The reality is, the end of verse 20, “….and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age,” should be all that we need to know; yet like Moses, even though he was assured the same thing, so many times, we just don’t take it in…and come up with more excuses

II.(3:13-22) ARGUMENT 2: Moses felt others were ignorant of God and would be skeptical that God would/could actually help them

Exodus 3:13-16 “Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’ Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt;”

Exodus 3:17-20 “and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’ Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.”

Exodus 3:20-22 “So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.””

(Context)

Note the circumstances and Moses’ excuses and resolution:

The circumstances:

Many of the Israelites were like innumerable people in every nation

They turned away from God

They turned to false religion(s)—those of Egypt and the world

They worshipped and idolized the false gods of Egypt---sadly they would even after their deliverance

Joshua 24:14 ““Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!”

Israel had been enslaved/tortured/in bondage for almost 400 years; from their perspective

No god had ever shown any interest in them

No god had ever heard their cries for help, not enough to save and deliver them

The argument/excuse:

Moses knew what the people were going to ask him when he showed up saying God had sent him to deliver them:

What god was it that sent him?

What god actually had the power to save and deliver them from their bondage?

What is this god’s name?

Moses’ resolution?

He felt there was no chance (under these circumstances) the Israelites were going to accept him, or God’s message and promise of deliverance

He felt the people would be skeptical and questioning

“What god are you talking about? What’s his name?

“What god has the power to save and deliver us? What’s his name?

Note God’s response: He told Moses to declare ten (10) things to Israel: He was to declare:

God’s name: “I AM WHO I AM” (The idea expressed by the name is that of real, perfect, unconditional, independent existence) Look further:

“JEHOVAH” is the English translation of the Hebrew word, YAHWEH

“JEHOVAH” is derived from the verb, “to be,”—and means simply “I AM”,”I AM WHO I AM”

I AM WHO I AM carries the meaning then that God is the

Self-existent One

The God who exists (who alone exists and cannot cease to exist)

The Eternal One

The Perfect One

“JEHOVAH” —this name of God carries two wonderful facts related to it’s meaning:

JEHOVAH is the God who is personal and who reveals Himself/The Hebrew equivalent (YAHWEH) indicates He is immediate and personal

He’s not a God who’s far off and left us alone to fend for ourselves, to fight our own battles

He’s not a God who’s far off and ignorant of the bondage we sit under, the afflictions that bind us, or the circumstances that burden us

He IS THE GOD who intentionally stepped out of heaven to come into our brokenness—to come into what binds and burdens you, and to do something about it

It is the name Adam and Eve knew

It is the name that Christ used to identify Himself

John 8:58 “Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.””

Mark 6:50 “for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.””

JEHOVAH is the God who establishes a personal relationship with man—the One Who supplies every need, who knows every care and concern, Who is our special guardian

JEHOVAH is the redemptive name of God:

He is the God of redemption, deliverance, and salvation

JEHOVAH is the covenant name of God

This is who was revealing Himself to Moses—to Israel—and to you

God’s identity

God’s memorial

God’s concern and care for His people (as Moses gathered the elders)

God’s past promise of deliverance (as Moses gathered the elders)

Genesis 15:13-14 teaches us that God knew ahead of time how His people would suffer/how they would suffer almost 400 years in slavery to Egypt and evil Pharaoh; but it also teaches us God’s promise to deliver His people from their bondage

Genesis 15:13-14 “Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.”

Exodus 3:17 teaches us that not only was God going to deliver them from bondage, He was going to deliver them to a land spacious and plentiful; where there provision would be abundant

Exodus 3:17 “and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’”

These promises teach us that today—God promises us that not only can He deliver us from the yoke of sin off of us (through Christ), He will also guide, lead, provide, and protect us and deliver us to live in His presence forever

God’s promise to him (Moses)—as His chosen servant/deliverer

God’s instructions (to the elders)—

This deals with the right to worship as a person wished

God’s prediction and forewarning (to the elders)

This deals with God telling Moses that their request would be rejected—but not to be discouraged,

God knew about the rejection ahead of time—and this was all part of His sovereign plan

God’s judgment and His assurance of deliverance

God’s power—

The teaches that God’s power to cause the Egyptians to favor God’s people (silver, gold, clothing, etc., that would be taken/given/provided)

In all of these things Moses continued to doubt and make excuses...

III.(4:1-9) Argument 3--Moses felt people would not believe him

Exodus 4:1-3 “Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ” So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.”

Exodus 4:4-6 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Furthermore the Lord said to him, “Now put your hand in your bosom.” And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow.”

Exodus 4:7-9 “And He said, “Put your hand in your bosom again.” So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. “Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land.””

Moses’ excuse—b/c he feared personal rejection

The people would deny his call and mission

The people would not believe the Lord had appeared to him

The message of deliverance and freedom from slavery was not of God

The problem with Moses’ excuse

The duty of the one called by God—is a call to obedience

The duty of the one called by God—is not to shrink back from God’s calling; certainly not b/c he fears rejection

The one called has one responsibility; to take the message of the Gospel out

Drawing people to Himself; arousing faith within a person’s heart—is God’s work—not man’s

God alone is Who quickens and turns on hearts to His Word and the message of the gospel; those He sends are simply to go and proclaim

God’s response to Moses: God already had an answer for Moses—God knew Moses’ reluctance/hesitation/excuses, so He refutes Moses’ doubt with three signs here:

Remember the purpose of God using signs:

To demonstrate His power—He is truly God—He is sovereign/omnipotent, ruling and reigning

God demonstrated this in Genesis 9 (covenant promise of the rainbow)

To provide assurance and confidence to His followers

God provided assurance/confidence to Gideon in the Judges 6 (fleece)

To stir repentance and belief

God demonstrated this in the account of Rahab (Joshua 2)

To use as warnings

To seal and strengthen the faith of believers

To point and direct us to His Word and promise

The signs of God in the O/T and the signs Jesus performed in His earthly ministry are for the expressed purpose of pointing people to the cross

(v.2) (FIRST) Moses’ staff would be turned into a snake; why a snake, why was God choosing to demonstrate His power over a shepherd’s rod and a serpent?

Shepherd’s rod?

This shepherd’s staff of Moses—was now to be used as the, “rod of God...”

(Exodus 4:20 “Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.” )

It was the tool of a shepherd, which God would use to bring Himself glory and symbolize HIs authority

In fact, God would use this shepherd’s staff 8 times altogether, b/t the Israelites in bondage and their time in the wilderness; while in the hands of Moses God would use this rod to

Deliver His people

Protect His people

Provide for His people

Establish His sovereignty and great Name!

In serving the Lord—whatever is ours, God will use to the furtherance of His glory

For Moses it was a shepherd’s staff; his staff was the tool of his livelihood as a shepherd and it had to be surrendered to the Lord

For me and you today, our prayer and intentionality should be,

“Lord, whatever I have belongs to You”

“Lord, whatever I have has been provided by You.”

“Lord, whatever I have, may I have the heart, the obedience, and will to surrender it to You, so that it may be used to

Exalt You

To bring You glory

To spread the message of deliverance through Jesus Christ

“Lord, whatever I have, may I not selfishly hold onto, so that You may use it to further Your kingdom and great name.”

Snake?

For the Egyptians, a snake (serpent) symbolized the nation’s authority and power

Pharaoh wore the emblem on his crown to symbolize this authority

God was providing a clear picture and proof of His sovereignty, power, and authority over all nations of the world

(v.6-7) SECOND-Moses’ hand would be afflicted with leprosy—this would be a sign of God’s great power over health and disease, life and death

Leprosy was

One of the most feared diseases in the ancient world and is well documented in the O/T (37 times in the KJV alone)

A plague which had no human cure

A disease which caused social isolation for those afflicted by it

unless b/c of God’s intervention, was a long and drawn-out disease which would leave it’s victims pleading for death

Leprosy is:

A picture, type, symbol of sin in the Bible

While leprosy caused pain/suffering/torment and brought shame/bondage/alienation for people; unconfessed and unrepentant sins cause pain/suffer/torment and shame/bondage/alienation for the believer today

Unforgiven sin has no human cure

Unforgiven sin causes a break in the fellowship between God and His people

Unforgiven sin causes a slow/painful death that will have no end, and will last eternally

(v.9) Moses was to take water from the Nile, pour it on the ground, and God would turn it to blood

The Nile was:

The life of Egypt

The provision of water for drinking/agriculture

The very source of the necessities of the Egyptian life

Worshipped by the Egyptians (as a god)

IV.(4:10-12)ARGUMENT 4 Moses felt he was not eloquent, not a gifted speaker

Exodus 4:10-12 “Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.””

What did Moses mean? “Slow and speech and slow of tongue,” is to say:

He was not fluent—not skillful with words—not expressive or persuasive

He did not have good, forceful, or persuasive speech or delivery

He was not smooth-talking nor silver tongued

He did not speak with ease—he was nervous when speaking (you might call him an introvert today)

He was perhaps tongue-tied—had a stuttering problem or some other speech impediment

What was God’s reply? To Moses and to anyone with this excuse?

He questions--“Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?

Is it not God who gives speech to man and who causes man to hear and see?

He promise—is seen in the question He gives to Moses

Yes, He is and does; so then go and God will help you

Scripture is full of God’s promises to us, that He will be with us—to guide us, help us, and teach us what to say:

Luke 12:12 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.””

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

John 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

1 Corinthians 2:1 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:13 “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

2 Samuel 23:2 ““The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.”

Psalm 48:14 “For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.”

V. (4:13-17) ARGUMENT 5–Moses just didn’t want to go; he refused and asked God to send someone else

Exodus 4:13-17 “But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God. And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.””

What happened here: All the excuses of Moses revealed the real feelings of his heart:

Moses had run out of excuses; he know had to admit the truth-he just didn’t want to go

Moses actually begged God to send someone else

Moses wanted God to call someone else

Moses preferred to stay where there was:

Comfort

Familiarity

Safety

What was God’s response? Anger. Righteous Anger.

The remainder of the text is God talking—Moses would not be allowed to make any more excuses

The remainder of the text is that God meant business—He would still act in mercy towards Moses—but He meant business

The remainder of the text is God essentially telling Moses, “there will be no more arguments, no more excuses.”

God said five things here which served as a conclusion to His calling of Moses (the “mike drop moment if you will)

God promised to give Moses a helper (v.14)

God informed Moses, Aaron was on His way to meet him—and that Aaron would rejoice in God calling him (v.14)

God informed Moses of the relationship he was to have with Aaron.

To always share God’s Word with him and that God would help both of them speak and teach them what to say (v.15)

God informed Moses, that Aaron was to be the spokesman to the people—the very mouth of Moses to the people (v.16)

Moses was to be as God to Aaron (God’s spokesman to Aaron)

God informed Moses to take the rod with him; to perform miraculous signs with it (v.17)

Think of what Moses missed out here b/c he made excuses and avoided God’s call:

He missed out on the privilege of being God’s messenger and spokesman to the people

He was replaced by Aaron. Aaron was to be God’s spokesman and messenger

He missed out on the privilege of being the father—the first of God’s priests, the very first of God’s messengers and spokesman to Israel

Why?

Because of all he had argued with God about

(WORSHIP TEAM)

As we close today, I would like to share what David Jeremiah writes about Moses’ arguments/excuses

“Moses hid behind,

Incorrect theology

What Moses thought—I have to do this myself

What God was actually saying: “Moses, I do not want to help you do this through Me, I want to do it through you.”

Insufficient knowledge

What Moses thought—I don’t have enough knowledge/I don’t know enough

What God was actually saying: “It’s not what you know, it’s Who you know (trust)

Inferior self-concept

It’s Who God is that matters

Inadequate ability/speech

What Moses thought—It’s all on my ability

What God was actually saying--”It’s not your ability that counts, but Mine.”

Incomplete trust

We shouldn’t be so quick to pass judgment on Moses, in learning of his weaknesses; we shouldn’t be so quick to question why or how God would still desire to use him. Each of us as believers, must remember we have our own weaknesses/shortcomings/faults, and in the times God calls to carry the message of deliverance, we are prone to bear the same excuses as Moses. Exodus 3:11 starts with, “But Moses.” What follows is a list of fears Moses uses as excuses to reject God’s call. And in ways and attitudes not to dissimilar to Moses, when God calls us and we are confronted with our weaknesses, we can find ourselves

Each of us believers must also remember that God is not oblivious to our weaknesses, shortcomings, or faults; in truth He accounts for them; He’s prepared for them; and He stands ready to equip you so He may do a work through you

What fear is standing in the way of yielding to what God desires to do through you

What excuses are you making, where your focus is more on your flesh/your past/your failure, when your focus should be on what God’s Word assures you of?