Go, I Will Help

Introduction

Exodus 4:10-17

Pray

Intro: Story between chapter 3 and 4

God knows that the king of Egypt will not let the people go and so he promises the striking of Egypt.

Moses does not think that the people will believe him, so God shows him great wonders to show to the people.

Exodus 4:10-17

WHAT ABOUT MY SLOW TONGUE? : This is the third objection that Moses poses to the I AM. He points out his deficiency as an obstacle to the plans of God.

Moses has already asked God two questions which symbolize that He is unsure of the task and doubtful of its success. The first, “Who do I say sent me?” which is the most reasonable of the three. The second, “what if they don’t believe me?”. His questions or objections seem to get less and less reasonable as the story unfolds.

Moses poses this third objection due to the instruction of the Lord to go and speak to the elders of Israel and to speak to the King of Egypt. The task is summed up with this; speaking the things of God.

Moses then so helpfully informs the I AM with something about himself that the I AM may have missed (let the reader laugh) . He says he is not an eloquent speaker.

Moses wants God to know that the very task that he is commanding him to do is the very thing that Moses is worst at.

He says this by saying that he has never been able to speak well and the issue hasn’t changed even after the miracle at the burning bush.

“Slow of tongue and of speech” : There is some varying interpretations of this phrase.

LXX translates the phrase, “with a stuttering voice and a slow tongue”

Vulgate: “I am not quick witted and slow of speech”.

The later would have a hard time upholding the fact that Moses had a speech impediment especially with Acts 7:22 in mind.

English Standard Version Chapter 7

22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

The objection of Moses could mean both here but it is safe to say that Moses is concerned with his inability to contend with the Hebrew and Egyptian objections ( i.e. Moses’ objections are concerned with others responses, and the rejection by his own people Acts 7:27-28 ).

Application: How often do we contend with God if we are able to carry out his mission? It may not be a speech problem but we are good at making a variety of excuses.

THE LORD RESPONDS TO MOSES’ OBJECTION: God graciously hears the objection from Moses and then responds with a question for Moses to consider.

God asks Moses to consider who it was who made man’s mouth. This is a good question that the Lord requires an answer to considering the objection that Moses put forth, his speech.

This is a phrase that would be remembered by the nation. Psalm 94:9

English Standard Version Psalm 94

He who planted the ear, does he not hear?

He who formed the eye, does he not see?

The Lord makes the point that it was Him who formed the mouth, the eye, the ear. He knows their limitations and their function . Therefore, the same God who made those things is the one who can help with any weakness that comes.

God tells Moses that He will help him speak and teach him what to say.

A picture of Gods goodness, grace and love.

A picture of God’s ability to meet any need Moses may have or may have presented.

The same is true for us, whatever defect we think we may have, God is over those things and he helps us through them.

MOSES OBJECTS: Moses responds to God’s exhortation with a plea that He would still send another to accomplish this mission.

This response from Moses reveals the heart of Moses.

He seems to still be so focused on himself and his defects that he is missing the work of God in his life and through his life.

This is true pride in the heart of Moses at work. He cannot see the I AM in front of him because of all the “I am nots”.

Humility is not thinking poorly of ourselves; it is not thinking of ourselves at all but God’s glory and will.

Conclusion

GOD BECOMES ANGRY: The response of Moses makes God angry at at him, yet in spite of the anger, God mercifully still uses Moses.

God’s anger toward Moses because of his sin, is met with a grace/Helper. Aaron was sent by God to help Moses with this task. Picture of how God uses us in spite of His anger toward our sin because of the finished work of Jesus.

God’s anger does not go without consequence.

Moses’ response seems to make Aaron the leader of the priesthood to come later in 1 Ch. 23:13 . Not to mention Aaron is the one who gets to lead the people into the promised land.

English Standard Version Chapter 23

13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the LORD and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever.

There are consequences to rejecting the call of God. There is a risk in saying “send anyone but me”. The rejection of God’s mission is a rejection of divine blessing for your life, even though there is grace that follows it like Moses.

God once again shows that He is the I AM with the divine appointment of Aaron being already on his way. This is something Moses could not seem to grasp.