Exodus 3:1-12
Introduction:
The account of call and commission of Moses comes to us in the book of Exodus through Yahwistic and Elohistic sources. It is placed between the states of the oppression and liberation of Israel. Let us meditate the call of Moses.
Exodus 3:1-4 GOD’S CALL TO MOSES
Now Moses was tending the flock
Observe the words: Father-in-law flock, desert, Fire, Bush, Horeb the mountain of God. Holy ground, take off sandals, suffering, Egyptians and Israelite, milk and honey, worship God.
Moses was a Levi, son of Amran and Jochebed. His siblings were Aaron and Miriam. He was brought up after the manner of Egyptians Skills and Education. At the age of forty Moses visited his brethren. He was vexed at their burden and harsh treatments by the hands of Egyptian slave drivers or taskmasters. Therefore, he started his rescue program by killing an Egyptian in support of an Israelite. But his own people rejected and rebelled against his leadership and efforts. So, he fled to the land of Midian and became a herdsman, married to Zipporah and had two kids. Well settled, forgotten the old life. Lived an ordinary life. He was tending the Flock.
Tending the flock means tending own business, own lives, families. Taking care of and concerned about job, entrepreneurship, education, wealth and health. Tending the cares of the world. Acquiring wealth, asserting to income-tax and assuring glorious future are the natural events of any human person. Moses was occupied with father in laws business. He spent his valuable and usable days in the desert. The tending flock was great to work, have to involve patiently, but dangerous and daring work. Safeguarding flock was a responsible and accountable on those days.
Burning bush was an ordinary event for any shepherd boy. During the summer and other times, the villagers lit the trashes and the dried grasses so that they would have new plants. But this burning bush was amazing because here the bush was burning but not consumed. No ashes only flame. The greenery of the plant was not changed. So, it’s a wonder.
Horeb was a familiar place for Moses. He spent several years on this mount. He used to sit and chat with friends. He never felt that it was holy ground. God changes our ordinary venue, working spot into holy ground, into a sacred spot by his special presence. The call of God comes to us in the midst of our busy-ness and business. Calling a person by name means equality and authority in ANE.
Calling a name twice means very special purpose: - “Moses Moses” (Exodus 4:4), “Samuel Samuel” (1 Samuel 3:10), “Simon Simon” (Luke 22:31), “Saul Saul” (Acts 9:4).
Exodus 3:5-9 GOD’S COMMUNICATIONS WITH MOSES
NOW the cry of Israel has reached me, but before that God wants Moses to know who He is? God declared that ‘I am that I am’ (Exodus 3:14). God lives forever and ever, communicated with him that he was dead but alive. He is not the God of yesterdays and yesteryear.
He is always “IS” “was” and “will be” (Revelation 11:17). Malachi 3:6 records that ‘He never changes” (Hebrews 13:8). Psalm 102:27 puts ‘you remain the same and your years never come to an end’. Moses declared YHWH as an Eternal God (Deuteronomy 32:27, 40). He has an enduring name and everlasting Kingdom (Psalm 135:13, 145:13). Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8). God beyond the time limit, “I am” (Isaiah 45:18,21-22,44:8, 45:5-6).
Abraham was a great father of Faith but died at 175 (Genesis 25:7). Joshua, a great man of integrity and faithfulness died at 110 (Joshua 24:29). David, the man after God’s own heart, a Champion, (1 Samuel 17:40), a great Soldier (2 Sam 5:7), a natural poet (Psalm 8,19.23) but died at 70 (2 Samuel 5:4). Solomon, the only wise man of any age on the earth (I Kings 4:32-34), lived a very luxurious life (I Kings 4:22-23), but died at 60 (1 Kings 11:42, II Chronicles 9:30-31). John the Baptist very powerful preacher on the earth died at 30 years. But YHWH lives forever and ever.
Politicians: Alexander the great, valiant officer, conquered the world but died at 32. Adolf Hitler, a most violent ruler, died at 56. Mahatma Gandhi, an advocate of ahimsa, died at 78. But YHWH lives forever and ever.
Wisemen: Gautama Buddha (563-483 BC) man who denounced everything, died at 80. Confucius (551-479 BC) Chinese Philosopher, died at 72. Socrates (469-399 BC) Greek Philosopher, died at 71. But YHWH lives forever and ever.
Rich: Mansa Musa lived from 1280-1337 AD was the richest man on the earth ever lived with $400 billion four times higher than Bill Gates - Microsoft founder - $86 billion (£68 billion) who is the richest person on the earth today, died. But YHWH lives forever and ever.
God communicated His power and Passion with Moses. God had communicated to Moses that he had seen, heard and known the pain of Israelite personally. It was more personal very realistic, experienced and expressive terms. These are not simple and sympathetic opinions but sincere and serious thoughts with involvement. They were the oppressed slaves.
God is active and possessive. God is transcendent and immanent to liberate. Onto-logically He is faraway anthropologically He is approachable. God communicated the very purposes with a definite plan to execute.
OT scholar Westermann says God planned to “Save and bless Israel”. Blessed them with liberty, freedom and equality. God would intervene if things go wrong, chaotic, and confusing in the world and in the lives of his children. He will set right through the right people at the right time.
Exodus 3:10-12 GOD’S COMMISSION AND PROMISES TO MOSES
so NOW go. Come, I will send you or I am sending you to Pharaoh. Pharaoh was a powerful and authoritative and unquestionable personality. He used the Hebrews as an unpaid labour force, made them no people. They had no identity and no recognition. They were treated equally with properties and animals. To such a person God sent him to go. Moses was convinced that it would not be an easy task but a life demanding. So, Moses gently refused to go and gave his own excuses in 3:11 – who am I? 3:13 – what shall I tell?; 4:1 – what if they do not believe?; 4:10 – I am not eloquent, I am slow of speech and tongue; 4:13- please send someone else.
All these questions, answers and excuses were signs of Moses fear of power, persons and persecutions. Also, it reflects Moses’ disbelief in the power of a person who is assigning this job. Moses earlier had failure experiences about Egyptians, kings, and Hebrews. He felt that Israelite were ungrateful and disheartened people. However, Moses' heart became complacent and hardened. He had no thirst for mission and not interested in God’s work.
He was happy because God appeared to him, God communicated with him. But he was not happy about the commission and demands. Peter told Jesus that he would like to stay back in transfiguration mount.
He wants to get away from responsibilities and risks. We want to be media than a medium of liberation. We want to be onlookers, bystanders and spectators rather than Anthropologists. We want to be theologians rather than theists. We want to shut our ears and eyes to the oppressed and neglected. The cries of the oppressed, exploited are resounding in our ears but we don’t want to involve in anything which will bring threat to our position, office and even to our won existence. Because of its raising voice against the forces of evil and power. Who is Pharaoh in your life? your evil systems.
Conclusion: Elisha said ‘where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah’? (2 Kings 2:14).
• Does God looks for a person who fears God. Psalm 53:2-3.
• Does God looks for people who humble themselves than give offerings and donations? I Samuel 15:22-23.
• God looks for a person who will meditate His Word day and night. Psalm 1:2-3
• Does God look for a person who prays? Isaiah 59:16.
• Does God look for persons who are willing to go for Him? Isaiah 6:8-9.
