A. MOSES – FAITH ANSWERING GOD’S CALL
1. Where: “Backside of the desert ... the mountain of God ... Horeb” (Exodus 3:1). Horeb means glow, Sinai means thorns.
2. When: Moses is 80 years old, remember he spent his first 40 years in Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-26), his next 40 years in the desert.
3. Miracle enhanced God’s presence. “The bush burned with fire … not consumed” (Exodus 3:2).
4. God spoke first. “Moses, Moses” (3:4). Moses’ response. “Here am I” (3:4). God’s response, “Take off your shoes … the place is holy ground” (3:5). Why was it holy?
5. God’s first message – explained Himself. “I am the God of your fathers … Abraham … Isaac … Jacob” (3:6). Why did Moses hide his face?
6. God’s second message – what He does. “I have surely seen the affliction of My people … heard their cry … know their sorrows … I came to deliver them … unto a land flowing with milk and honey” (3:7-9).
7. God’s third message – God’s task. “I will send you to Pharaoh” (3:10). Remember 40 years earlier, “Pharaoh … sought to kill Moses” (2:15).
B. GOD ANSWERS MOSES’ QUESTION
1. Moses’ first question – unfit. “Who am I” (3:11). God’s promises – presence. “Certainly I will be with you” (3:12). “You will serve/see Me on this (Sinai) mountain” (3:12).
2. Moses’ second question – untaught. “God ... they will ask me Your name ... what is Your name? God’s answer, “Tell them, ‘I am who I am’” (3:13-14, ELT).
3. Moses’ third questions – unbelief. “They will not believe me, nor listen to me, they will say the Lord did not appear to me” (4:1, ELT). God’s answer was three miracles. (1) “Cast your rod on the ground ... it became a serpent” (4:3). (2) “Put your hand into your clothing … it became leprous … do it again … flesh again” (4:6-8). (3) Pour water on dry land … it became blood” (4:9).
4. Moses’ fourth question – unable. “I can’t do it, I have a speech impediment” (4:1, ELT). God’s answer – “I the Lord made man’s mouth … the dumb ... the deaf ... the blind. Go, I will be with you” (4:11-12).
5. Moses’ fifth question – unwilling. “Lord, I don’t want to do it, send someone else” (3:13, ELT). God’s answer:
a. “The anger of the Lord” (3:12).
b. “Aaron, your brother ... will speak for you” (3:14-16, ELT).
C. WHAT TO KNOW WHEN SPEAKING WITH GOD
1. God is holy. “Don’t come any closer … this is holy ground” (3:5). “Moses … was afraid to look on God” (3:6).
2. God is love with deep feelings. “I have seen the oppression of My people … heard their cry … I have come down to deliver” (3:7-8).
3. God is separate, i.e., the wholly other one. “I have come down” (3:8).
4. God is person with intellect (ability to know, v. 7), emotion (ability to feel v. 7), and will (ability to choose, v. 8). His person includes self-identity and self-direction.
5. God communicates. He hears .. understands conversation … knows … responds with word/ideas. “I will send you to Pharaoh” (v. 10).
6. God thinks and plans. “I will send you ... bring My people out of Egypt” (v. 10).
7. God answers questions. “What is your name?” (v. 13).
8. God answers identify and describe Himself, “God said to Moses, ‘I Am that I Am’” (v. 14). This is God’s second name Jehovah or LORD.
9. God controls the laws of nature. “A shepherd’s staff ... throw it to the ground … it turned into a poisonous snake” (4:3-4). “This miracle will make the Israelite leaders believe” (3:6).
10. God overcomes Moses’ objections. “I am a poor speaker, I stutter” (4:10). “Who makes your mouth … I will tell you and I will be with you” (4:11-12).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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