The Revelation of God and the Excuses of Moses

Introduction

From Bondage to Liberty: The Gospel according to Moses Chapter Five: The God Who Is Sufficient (Exodus 4:1–17)

The Oscar winning film The King’s Speech tells the story of Albert Frederick Arthur George, the man who eventually became King George VI of England. Albert (“Bertie”) did not expect to become king. He only did so because his brother, Edward, abdicated the throne to marry a divorced American woman. Albert had always lived in his brother’s shadow, but with his ascension to the throne, the spotlight was now on him. Albert had another problem: he was plagued by a stammer. He had become the king of England in 1936 during the build-up toward World War II. He would be tested by the onslaught of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany. He would have to speak to his nation through radio addresses. What type of confidence would a stammering king give to his people? The movie tells the remarkable story of how King George VI overcame his verbal obstacles through the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. By means of Logue’s assistance, King George VI was able to speak and lead his people through a time of great trial.

Like King George VI, Moses was about to lead his people through a tremendous trial. Moses had been enlisted by God to be his leader and mouthpiece. He had been called by God to confront the mightiest military and political power on earth. But like King George VI, Moses felt utterly inadequate, insufficient, and ill-equipped for the task.

Allow me to begin with an illustration: “The Oscar winning film The King’s Speech tells the story of Albert Frederick Arthur George, the man who eventually became King George VI of England. Albert (“Bertie”) did not expect to become king. He only did so because his brother, Edward, abdicated the throne to marry a divorced American woman. Albert had always lived in his brother’s shadow, but with his ascension to the throne, the spotlight was now on him. Albert had another problem: he was plagued by a stammer. He had become the king of England in 1936 during the build-up toward World War II. He would be tested by the onslaught of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany. He would have to speak to his nation through radio addresses. What type of confidence would a stammering king give to his people? The movie tells the remarkable story of how King George VI overcame his verbal obstacles through the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. By means of Logue’s assistance, King George VI was able to speak and lead his people through a time of great trial.

Oscar winning film The King’s Speech tells the story of Albert Frederick Arthur George, the man who eventually became King George VI of England. Albert (“Bertie”) did not expect to become king. He only did so because his brother, Edward, abdicated the throne to marry a divorced American woman. Albert had always lived in his brother’s shadow, but with his ascension to the throne, the spotlight was now on him. Albert had another problem: he was plagued by a stammer. He had become the king of England in 1936 during the build-up toward World War II. He would be tested by the onslaught of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany. He would have to speak to his nation through radio addresses. What type of confidence would a stammering king give to his people? The movie tells the remarkable story of how King George VI overcame his verbal obstacles through the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. By means of Logue’s assistance, King George VI was able to speak and lead his people through a time of great trial.

Like King George VI, Moses was about to lead his people through a tremendous trial. Moses had been enlisted by God to be his leader and mouthpiece. He had been called by God to confront the mightiest military and political power on earth. But like King George VI, Moses felt utterly inadequate, insufficient, and ill-equipped for the task.”[1]

Selvaggio, A. T. (2014). From Bondage to Liberty: The Gospel according to Moses. (I. M. Duguid, Ed.) (pp. 57–58). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.

Background

Moses has seen great things up to this point. He saw a burning bush which wasn’t consumed. He’s been given the honor of a theophany. The Lord has revealed important things concerning Himself to Moses and charged him to go and lead His people out of Egypt. The LORD has told with Moses what He is about to do and guaranteed success by declaring the people of Israel will worship Him on Mt. Sinai. This should have been enough for Him. God’s promises today should be enough for us. Are they?

Exposition

Verse 1: Despite God’s incredible promise Moses still has doubts. He is not fully convinced the elders will believe Him. On the one hand, this shouldn’t be too shocking. We just have to go back to chapter 2 to be reminded that Moses was a disgraced former prince who spent the last 40 years in the wilderness. He went from a somebody to a nobody. All the people whom wanted him dead are themselves dead (9) but it entirely possible the living won’t remember him either. Even if they did, why are they to believe he can stand before Pharaoh? None of this considers the fantastic report he must now give.

One the other hand, the LORD has already declared the elders would believe Him. He appeared in a burning bush, showing His great power. He told Moses the future. Yet Moses still wonders what to do if he is refused. Moses, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob before him is honored as a man of great faith. Like the patriarchs, he didn’t start out that way.

Verses 2 - 5: God graciously addresses Moses’ concern by providing him with power to do signs and wonders. He starts out with three important ones, ones that strike at the heart and nature of Egypt. The first is the ability to turn his staff into a serpent and then reverse it. Why does this matter? One commentator notes: “The cobra represented in particular the national god of Lower Egypt and was the foremost symbol of Pharaoh, reflecting his claim to divine royalty, sovereignty, and power. Therefore, it constantly appears on his crown or helmet, as depicted in reliefs, paintings, and statues. His scepter is often a stylized cobra.” [2] This sign will demonstrate that the LORD is the true sovereign over Egypt. This is to be the first evidence that He, the God of the patriarchs and their ancestors has indeed sent him (Moses) to the people.

The first is the ability to turn his staff into a snake and then reverse it. The Lord indicates this is to be evidence that He, the God of the patriarchs and their ancestors has indeed sent him (Moses) to the people. If God can use a rod, an in adamant object, to accomplish His purposes think of what He can do with us.

Verses 6 - 9: The Lord then gives a second sign for Moses to display: The striking of and healing of his hand from “leprosy”. Though the term “leprosy” is used in scripture, it isn’t likely referring what we call leprosy or “Hansen’s disease” today. It rather refers to various skin diseases that were running rampant in Egypt at this time. This sign will show God is sovereign over sickness, disease, and health in Egypt and everywhere else. If the first sign is rejected, surely this second one will be accepted. But the Lord is not done. He provides a third evidence for Moses to provide if the first two prove insufficient: the turning of water from the Nile to blood when it touches the dry ground. This is a prelude to the first plague (). The Nile was considered the source of life and a god itself. This sign would show God alone is sovereign over one of Egypt’s most important “gods” and is the true source of life. Such incredible acts that only the God of heaven and Lord of creation could accomplish should be enough to convince the people. It should have been enough for Moses.

Verses 10 - 13: Despite seeing these incredible things, Moses still lacks confidence. He focuses on his own inability as opposed to God’s absolute sovereignty. Specifically, he hones in on his lack of eloquent speech. He has never and still can’t speak well. It has been common for many to assume this implied a speech impediment but this is not the case.[3] The issue was not one of physical stuttering. There have been four other suggestions made as to what Moses was referring to: psychological - fear of public speaking, educational - an insufficient command of rhetoric, linguistic - after 40 years his command of Egyptian was poor, and exaggerated humility - like Paul calling himself the chief of sinners. I believe the issue is both psychological and educational. Moses lacks confidence for the reasons we outlined at verse 1. He doesn’t consider himself a good speaker. At first Moses can’t quickly and persuasively respond to objections. As we will see in Chapter 5 he does not respond well after confronted by the Hebrew slave leaders when their straw to make bricks is taking away. He was not quick-witted and didn’t know what to say. Centuries later the prophet Jeremiah would make the same argument () The LORD addresses this by reminding Moses it is He who has made man and his tongue. It is He, the LORD, whom brings sight or blindness, speech or deafness. He is not inhibited by Moses linguistic deficiencies. He promises He would both touch Moses’s mouth and give Him what to say. He said the same to Jeremiah (). This is still not enough. Moses still fails to look beyond himself. Moses doesn’t want this job.

Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 133). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 133). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.The issue is not one of physical stuttering but one of an inability to quickly and persuasively respond to objections. The Lord address this by reminding Moses it is He who has made man and his touch. It is He, the LORD, whom brings sight or blindness, speech or deafness. He is not inhibited by Moses stuttering. He promises He would both touch Moses’s mouth and give Him what to say. This is still not enough. Moses still fails to look beyond himself.

The issue is not one of physical stuttering but one of an inability to quickly and persuasively respond to objections. It is in essence: ‘I am not good about responding on the fly. I am not quick-witted.’ The LORD addresses this by reminding Moses it is He who has made man and his touch. It is He, the LORD, whom brings sight or blindness, speech or deafness. He is not inhibited by Moses stuttering. He promises He would both touch Moses’s mouth and give Him what to say. This is still not enough. Moses still fails to look beyond himself.

These are the great problems of many believers today. To many Christians focus on what they can or can’t do and not what God has done. They consider God’s purposes and commands in light of their own strength not His. We often fail to see things in light of the cross, the victory of God as achieved by Christ’s death and resurrection. As the saying goes: if we flip to the back of the book we win. Concerning speech, Paul tells us that it is not eloquent speech that saves () but the power of the gospel (). Paul is making the point that our faith is grounded on God’s work not human effort. God’s purposes will succeed because He brings them about by His word and Spirit, not human strength.

We owe God our obedience. He saves us for His glory and our good. He calls to serve (). We are to trust and obey. Anything else is rebellion against God making us subject to God’s anger. Indeed, fear and cowardice are listed among the things that result in casting into the lake of fire (). Moses was trending on dangerous ground. Thank God for His incredible mercy.

Verses 14 - 17: The Lord’s anger is kindled against Moses. Moses is failing to trust in God and His promises. The writer of the Hebrews tells us plainly that we can’t please God if we don’t and won’t believe Him (). Paul informs us the what is not done from faith is sin (). Moses dishonored God. At this point Moses doesn’t understand that “Drawing people to Himself—arousing faith within their hearts—is God's work, not the prophet's. The prophet's duty is to surrender to God's call and go—go and proclaim the message of God.”[4] Nonetheless God in his grace accommodated Moses’s lack of faith by bringing in Aaron to be the spokesperson. Moses is to speak to him and he will speak for Moses. God will be with both of their tongues and teach them what to say. Moses is to take the staff because it is the means by which God will work his wonders. This also is significant since the staff was “a symbol of authority and power”[5] The If God can use a staff, an in adamant object, to accomplish His purposes think of what He can do with us.

Practical Application

. Moses dishonored God. Nonetheless God in his grace accommodated Moses’s lack of faith by bringing in Aaron to be the spokesperson. Moses is to speak to him and he will speak for Moses. God will be with both of their tongues and teach them what to say. Moses is to take the staff because it is the means by which God will work his wonders.

I am reminded of an expression I heard growing up: God will not send you where His grace cannot keep you. I will echo that sentiment here to say God will not call you to do what He will not empower you to do. He does not call one to administration whom He has not gifted to administer. He will not call to teach one whom He has not gifted to teach. God did not place us in His spiritual body, the church, to function on natural strength. Rather the Holy Spirit gives gifts to men. Therefore, we are to trust and obey. We are to fulfill our calling in obedience and faith in the one who called us. It is God who brings forth the fruit and increase (). We go into the field and gather the harvest because He has prepared the way.

Gospel Application.

Moses was right about one thing: This great task of bringing the people out of Egypt was beyond him. He could not defeat Pharaoh. The King of Egypt had no reason to fear him. He had no power in himself to accomplish this act. As it was with Moses, so it is with all humanity. For birth we are sinners, bound by sin and unable to save ourselves. We are under the wrath of God and there is nothing we can do about it. Thanks be to God He did not leave us without hope. That hope is Jesus. Jesus Christ came to save sinners. Even as the staff became a living serpent so Christ brings new life from death. Even as Moses’s had was healed from leprosy so Christ heals us for the plague of sin and will ultimately vanquish its affects. Even as the water became blood when poured out, so Christ has poured out His blood and reign Sovereign over heaven and earth. Like Israel, humanity is in dire straits but Christ Jesus made a way. If you are under the sound of my voice and the Spirit has convicted you of the truth of these words, I call you to repent and believe the gospel. Acknowledge and confess your sin. Asks for forgiveness and to be received into His kingdom. Place your trust on Him and you will be saved. Don’t resist like Moses and don’t delay. Repent and believe today.

1. Selvaggio, A. T. (2014). From Bondage to Liberty: The Gospel according to Moses. (I. M. Duguid, Ed.) (pp. 57–58). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.

2. Göran Larsson, Bound for Freedom: The Book of Exodus in Jewish and Christian Traditions (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1999), p. 36. cited in Philip Graham Ryken, Exodus: Saved for God's Glory, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 110.

. Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

3. Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 133). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

. Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

4. , (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "D. The Excuses of Moses: A Reluctant Prophet--Arguments Against Serving God, 3:11-4:17".

Göran Larsson, Bound for Freedom: The Book of Exodus in Jewish and Christian Traditions (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1999), p. 36. cited in Philip Graham Ryken, Exodus: Saved for God's Glory, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 110.

5. Currid, J. D., & Chapman, D. W. (2017). ESV Archaeology Study Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books

. Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.