Receiving a call to serve God is never enough. We must respond in obedience. There was a very dramatic call experience for Moses. We know it as the burning bush call.
Each person has a unique call of God, but the burning bush call for Moses stands out. What does not stand out in Moses’ call are the excuses he came up with not to accept his calling. That part has been repeated countless times since the call of Moses.
Here were Moses excuses not to lead the Israelites out of Egypt:
• How will I answer if they ask me what is the Lord’s name?
• What if they don't believe I am called?
• I'm not a good speaker I'm not very eloquent.
• Get somebody else to do it
Basically, Moses didn't want this call to interrupt his comfort zone. It was 40 years ago he stepped out to take on the role of deliverer. It wasn't God's will at that time and the plan failed. Now 40 years later he has a fear to try again after he's already failed.
God was angry at Moses because of the excuses but God was patient with Moses. Moses does obey God after making many excuses. He submits to the will of God to return to Egypt. Finally, there is the response that God desires for any call of service, that is obedience.
Moses tells his family. For many a call to God’s service this is no small issue. Sometimes telling family is a hard part of the call of God. Family sometimes responds with you want to do what and take my children where?
Moses simply told his father-in-law that he was going back to Egypt to check on the family he didn't mention burning Bush or confronting pharaoh or delivering the Hebrew people.
Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive.” (Exodus 4:18)
There is just this one verse about Moses talking to his family about his going to Egypt. A lot must have taken place. God reminds Moses that the power of God is with him. God calls Moses to perform miracles when he returns to Egypt.
The LORD said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. (Exodus 4:21)
There is the hardening of pharaoh's heart by God when Moses meets Pharaoh, but Pharaoh first hardened his own heart. Moses instructions when speaking to Pharaoh are to tell him that Israel is His first born son, and then to tell Pharaoh, I will kill your first born son. Here we have a reference to what is coming in the 10th and final plague in Egypt.
Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’” (Exodus 4:22-23)
Verses 24 through 26 deal with Moses son not being circumcised. When the Lord was about to kill Moses his wife Zipporah circumcised their son and saved Moses life.
At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26 So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” (Exodus 4:24-26)
At the giving of the covenant God changed Abrams’ name to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant. Males are to be circumcised at 8 days old. Moses had been 40 years in exile from his people and had not done this.
For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” (Genesis 17:12-14)
If Moses is going to be the leader of God's people God is certainly going to hold him accountable to live up to the requirements of God's people. With leadership comes a high standard of accountability. Maybe that's partly why Moses in Exodus 4:13 said, send someone else.
In the New Testament we read standards for leaders’ requirements for pastor’s deacons and the principle applies to all Christians in leadership positions. Yes, a high standard but there is joy in service and obedience. There is 40 years ahead for Moses. It will be tough as spiritual leader, but if he would have refused responsibility of his call he would have been unbelievably miserable.
There is a cost to spiritual leadership. A push outside of the comfort zone. There is a high standard with a lot of difficulties, but there are the joyous blessings. Moses was reunited with his brother after being away for 40 years in the desert. Even then at 80 he probably knew his brother very little.
Although there were blessings for Moses reunited with his people after 40 years there were difficult memories for him. Forty years ago he attempted to deliver his people by his own plans and he failed. Now he was on God's timetable. Now he was operating by the will of God.
Exodus 4:30 tells us that this time he performed a miracle before his people. And they believed!
Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, 31 and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped. (Exodus 4:30-31)
When Moses responded God worked miracles and the people believed. They accepted the challenge and joy of serving God.
The greatest blessing of obeying the call of God is seeing people respond to your ministry. The people bowed down and worshipped almighty God. God has a ministry for you. Have you responded? There's no time for making excuses to the call of God. Respond to God's call.
