Exodus 4 - “Bumpy Beginnings”
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Opening Statement - We don’t start everything we do with excellence.
Opening Illustration - Like how a toddler learns to walk.
You take a few steps, then fall down.
For example, here is my middle child, Maddy, learning to walk…here is her first steps
But what started small and bumpy, eventually turns to excellence and elegance.
Believe it or not, Maddy can run nowadays!!
Opening Background - Moses’ first steps into his calling was off to a “Bumpy Start”
And last week, we learned that Moses who had been once Respected (as a prince) and now Rejected (as a runaway and a shepherd) — a now ordinary man — has been called by God for an extraordinary purpose.
D.L. Moody says
Moses’ first 40 years (Egypt), he thought he was somebody
His second 40 (Midian), he learned that he is nobody
He will spend his last 40 years (Exodus), discovering what God can do with a nobody.
In (Exodus 3) he is having this interaction with God at the “burning bush” where God asserted His supremacy and His name (I AM WHO I AM), as they discuss the mission, and Moses role.
But, as this discussion (WITH THE HOLY GOD!!!!!!) is continuing,
Moses is full of excuses:
Starting with — “I’m just an unusable ordinary guy?
But becoming downright ornery
bad-tempered, irritable, stubborn and difficult to deal with.
Ornery describes Moses to a “Tee” for this particular occasion.
Relevance to CCB - I’m sure that no one here, ever acted (past) or acts (present-tense), ugly, mean, or stubborn as God is trying to call you and get your attention!?!?
I know I was!!
I pray I become less ornery as I walk more with the Lord.
Many of us stumble as ornery Christians, as the Lord is trying to call us into His wonderful will for our lives.
Let’s learn some lessons from Moses’ stumbling and stubborn attitude, and see how we can grow into an elegant walk, and to step out into a bold faith as Christ followers.
So let’s dive in and catch back up with Moses’ calling as he is taking his “first steps.”
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (vv. 1 - 17) Moses trying to ‘buck his Calling
Three Objections to Moses Stepping out into his calling:
Problem #1 - Doubting “the Flock” - (v. 1) What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?
To be “concerned” for the results is bearing a burden that is not yours to bear. Its just our job to serve in the capacity the Lord calls us to.
If we were responsible for the results you could several biblical prophets were “unsuccessful.”
Noah preached for over 100 yrs and won zero converts (outside his family).
God is perfectly capable of dealing with the results.
God doesn’t hold us responsible for the results, only the sowing of the seed.
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”
That saying works just as good for “sheep.”
Beyond a simple lack of trust — Moses is hypocritically, not believing or listening to what God has to say to him, right now. He is “hearing” God, but he’s not “listening.”
Earlier in this discourse, God told Moses that they would listen - see Ex 3:18 “They will pay heed to what you say…”
Moses’ real problem wasn’t the people not believing him.
It was him not believing God.
Problem #2 - Doubting Himself - (v. 10) I’m not a fluent speaker?
It’s believed that Moses had some kind of speech impediment, or was unable to articulate fluent thoughts.
I can sympathize with Moses here. I never saw myself as a “gifted communicator,” but I know that:
God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
God doesn’t always use the “eloquent” speakers as you might naturally expect. The Scriptures say,
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
that no flesh should glory in His presence.
We should not judge our spiritual potential based on our “human abilities.” Rather just be open for whatever God has in mind for you.
God isn’t interested in your Capability; He is interested in your Availability.
I do think its worth noting that…Moses a “prince” at one point? Was he not a fluent speaker, back in the day?
When Stephen, the first church martyr was being killed, and his dying act was recapping the O.T. and how in integrated into the N.T. gospel message, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said this about Moses:
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.
Maybe Moses was “downplaying” his ability to get out of His calling.
Yeah, I can do fill in the blank, but “i’m not very good at it.”
For a long time, that was me with guitar & singing worship. My excuse was “i’m not good enough,” (and i’m NOT); but the truth was my pride didn’t want me to be in front of people and risk making mistakes.
Maybe Moses was worried that it had been too long since he had been around the Egyptians and Jews that he felt like he “lost it”
Perhaps his Egyptian and Hebrew language skills had slipped over the last 40 years (not sure what language or dialect that Jethro’s family spoke)
Or maybe Moses had been a shepherd for so long, that he only spoke the language of the lambs…and he knew that speaking to aristocrats, that he would sound “b-a-a-a-a-a-d”
What was God’s response to Moses “lack of capability”?
(v. 11) Who made man’s mouth?…Have not I, the LORD? - kinda like, did you forget who you’re speaking do right now? Did you forget who is asking you to do this? The Creator.
We need to respect that God had taken into account, any possible disabilities we may have.
(v. 12) Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.
God will equip you for your calling, when you step out.
By this point, you’d think Moses would obey…but
Problem #3 - Doubting God - (v. 13) Somebody else can do it better? —
But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Moses is effectively saying… “i’m not available”
Up until this point, God was being very patient with Moses, but Moses is now on God’s last nerve,
(v. 14) So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses - this is not a common occurence.
This rejection from Moses was most dire. Because this shows it’s not that Moses was unable (that point has been made clear), but that Moses was unwilling.
Few things make the Lord angry at us more than an unwilling servant.
Three Gifts to Help Moses — Three Miraculous Signs
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
Unbelieving Jews in the N.T. requested a sign. Here they will get three.
God is equipping Moses to resonate with His people.
The staff. Read again (vv. 2-3)
Moses had this staff (a simple stick) as he shepherded, maybe for the last 40 years.
God will turn something that he has always had with him, already in his hand…for God’s glory
What’s already in your hand? A hammer? A computer? Diapers? A musical instrument? Specialized training, knowledge, or experience?
How does God want to use that for His glory?
The staff transformed into a snake…
From a harmless object to a dangerous one.
Surely this would have impressed the people.
(v. 4) Moses was told to pick it up by the tail (the “dangerous” way) which took courage and trust.
Moses’ Leprous Hand - Read again (vv. 6-7)
Leprosy was a disease that was untreatable.
Yet God was able to transform his hand not only into a leprous hand, but then the impossible which was to heal it.
These first two miracles showed how God can transform things
He has transformed us.
Is that not a sign to others?
“I once was this; but now i’m that.
What were you once, compared to now? What transforming work has God done in your life?
What were you addicted too? That you’re now broken from.
Who among us were perpetually angry? But now we have joy.
What were the dead-end roads you went down? But now, you’ve only got One destination in mind?
One of the best lines in Christian music that comes to mind is
“I once was blind, but now I see.”
We should use our transformation stories (testimonies) as a sign to unbelievers, that God transforms.
Water into Blood -
God had said the first two miracles will cause people to believe. Read again (v. 9)
Water represents life. Blood represents judgement.
And the blood didn’t turn back into water. It stayed.
God is communicating through Moses - that if they don’t accept the first two signs, that I can transform, then you will believe that last sign…your life (water) will be judged (blood).
God is transforming us in one of two ways.
Life leading to life. (2 Cor 2:16)
Or death leading to death. (2 Cor 2:16)
There is no other options. You’re either headed toward Christ, or away from Him.
It’s our choice to accept the signs and
Go where they point us to…which is to Jesus Christ
Otherwise, we will be judged…one day death will come, and the unbeliever is sent to hell.
I see a lesson here that our life should demonstrate miraculous transformation; not judgment.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
After Moses’ obstinance, I would have smite Moses and found a new, willing servant…but God doesn’t do that.
And thankfully, He didn’t do that to me (or you) either.
Moses keeps pushing God’s buttons…and look at God’s response.
Read again (vv. 14-16).
God responds with more patience!!
Although Aaron is going to cause his share of problems (golden calf, the mutiny against Moses with Miriam, etc)
Aaron and Moses will make a great pair.
God often uses a dynamic duo to do His work.
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Aaron will be a help, but Moses is the real leader (though he’s in denial)
Aaron may be a more eloquent communicator.
But Moses is the true leader who has the content.
For us — Don’t be impressed by the pizzazz (light, bells, and whistles) and the entertainment.
The presentation should never take priority over the content.
We should prioritize function over form.
So now that Moses has his calling sorted out after a bumpy start, let’s see how it goes.
Read along (vv. 18 - 23) Hardening Pharoah’s Heart
(v. 18) Moses attained Jethro’s blessing - that’s great. Moses, as an 80 yr. old sought his Father-in-Laws blessing. Respecting his elders.
Also serves as confirmation. God confirms our steps along the path that He has called us into.
Jethro could have said no. But he didn’t and Moses can’t use that as an excuse not to go.
(v. 21) But I will harden his (Pharoah) heart - Is problematic for some people. Why would a good God overrule Pharaoh’s free-will? But, we have to dig below the surface to answer this question.
Pharoah also hardened his own heart. (Paraphrased from BKC)
These references resemble more of God predicting Pharaoh’s hardened heart. (Ex 4:21; 7:3). These references directly expose that Pharaoh hardened his own heart: Exodus 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) before God is said to have hardened it (Ex 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8).
You can’t realistically blame God the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. The Egyptians had BEEN persecuting their Hebrew slaves…and had obviously grown to despise the Jews. I’m sure it comes at a surprise that a nation, including it’s politicians would despise the Jews!!
“This story is as old as time itself”
Rather than “blaming God” for hardening Pharaoh’s heart…the real blame is on Pharoah for repeatedly opposing God?!?!
There is a spiritual lesson here — God allows you to oppose Him up until a point.
God didn’t harden Pharaoh’s heart all at once. It was over time…of repeatedly opposing God.
(vv. 22-24) The Consequence will be Steep — God will kill Pharaoh’s firstborn.
God warned Pharaoh that Israel is His firstborn.
But due to Pharaoh’s refusal to let them go, his firstborn will be killed.
As well as the first born of everyone who will not obey God.
At what point does your heart become hardened? I don’t know
But I do know that our hearts, too, will harden against God when we repeatedly refuse to obey Him.
I don’t want to find out where that point is.
Rather than, seeing how far we can take sin and “rebound” back to Him…why not instead, see how much we can live our lives FOR Him.
Read along (vv. 24 - 26) What in the World!?!?
(v. 24) at the lodging place (the Hilton Garden Inn) that the Lord met him and sought to put him to death - ANOTHER confusing passage. I’ll explain to my best way I think I understand it.
Most commentators believe that Moses was struck with some life threatening sickness.
Moses was part of the covenant of circumcision, which we see here that at least one of His sons were not.
Zipporah may have opposed early on due to her non-Jewish religion (and the seemingly barbaric act of circumcision).
Even if this was the case, Moses wasn’t being the “pastor of his household,” allowing his wife to take the “religious” reigns.
Men are supposed to lead their household. (Eph 5 - because it’s God’s design)
It’s also possible, that Moses just didn’t abide by the commandment of circumcision.
Simple Disobedience.
It may seem a bit extreme for God to seek to put Moses to death, but consider:
God doesn’t “try” and “not succeed” at anything.
So if Moses was not put to death (just like Isaac), that was the Lords plan all along.
But, Moses had obviously really upset the Lord about this. That he hadn’t taken God’s ordinances seriously.
And he deserved to die for it.
The big issue was that — Moses had not right to go tell OTHER people how to live their lives, while he had sin that God knew about, within his own household.
As we step into our calling (which we ALL have), there is sin that we must get rid of.
And we must prioritize our ministry within our own household before we minister to others in the church.
It seems that Zipporah took the liberty to complete the circumcision (and tossed the foreskin at Moses’ feet).
We don’t know why she did it.
Whether she had to. Or because she decided to.
But it seems to have restored Moses’ standing before God
Read along (vv. 27 - 31) A good ending.
God went ahead and arranged a great reunion of Moses and Aaron (it had been 40 years)
Moses’ life is now entering it’s final third.
Moses’ first 40 years (Egypt), he thought he was somebody
His second 40 (Midian), he learned that he is nobody
He will spend his last 40 years (Exodus), discovering what God can do with a nobody.
(vv. 29-30) What do you know…they gathered the people, showed them the signs…AND <drum role>
(v. 31) So the people believed!!!!
Unbelievable. God works!
Closing
Closure -
Closing Application - Have you doubted your calling? Or been reluctant to step out in faith into a ministry?
Welcome to the Moses club.
God can work with that.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
Just focus on obedience to Christ, and He will work it out.
Closing Illustration - Don’t let a “bumpy start” discourage you from continuing to pursue the opportunities that God has in store for you.
Moses’ ministry will lead to single greatest event of the Old Testament…the Exodus of God’s people from slavery and into freedom.
And the Exodus is arguably the greatest example in the entire Bible that points to what Jesus Christ did for us.
Delivering us from the bondage of sin, death, and the devil
Into freedom…into His Promised Land.
Into a life filled with purpose and peace with God.
By Moses following his calling, and by us following ours, it all points to Jesus.
Urge to Action - May we all step out into whatever God is calling us into.
Let’s Pray
Benediction
