A Stubborn Old Man

A Stubborn Old Man Exodus 4:13-17 Review • In 3:1-10, the LORD commissions Moses to lead his people out of Egypt • Moses begins a series of 5 objections: 1. Who am I? 2. If they ask for your name, what shall I tell them? [How does your name apply to our situation?] 3. What about the people? 4. What about my speech? • In the 5th objection, Moses flatly refuses. Moses Refuses (4:13) 1. Moses diminishes God – “O, Lord …” 2. Moses commands the Lord: • The command is, admittedly, polite: “Be sending, please …” • The command is specific – the Lord needs to find another 3. Moses has run out of excuses and makes no attempt to rationalize his stubborn refusal (see Psalm 32:9-10) God Responds (4:14-17) 1. God lets His anger be known • • “The heat of the LORD was kindled” – this internal intensity usually accompanied by an outward display (see 32:10, 19; Numbers 12:9-10; Psalm 106:29) Seven different Hebrew words for anger; but God is unique in his desire to let go of His anger (see Micah 7:18) 2. God allows a seemingly helpful expedient • • • Aaron could speak and would be a friendly face for Moses Aaron would also bring constant grief: Golden Calf (Exodus 32); Spoke against Moses (Numbers 12); Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10) See Judges 4 (Deborah and Barak); 1 Samuel 8 (King Saul) God Responds (4:14-17) 3. God Promises to Sustain Moses • • • “I myself shall be …” – Focus on “I” and a reminder of God’s name, “I shall be …” God promises His sustaining presence and continual instruction God promises to sustain Moses’s position as prophet 4. God provides Moses a visible symbol of authority • • Staffs were extremely common, but were personalized and could even serve as identification (see Genesis 38:18) Moses is shaken by this final exchange and needs a reminder to take his staff. Applications: Why do we stubbornly refuse? • Fear is often the main culprit – fear of the future, fear of the unknown, fear of man, fear of having to say sorry • Unresolved anger toward God sometimes derails us – anger of our upbringing, events that God has allowed, economy of gender roles • Pride, however, reigns as our biggest enemy – pride of possessions, pride of ability, refusal to admit error