Excuses!
Introduction:
A. For forty years, Moses has been living in exile. This is a long to time to live in the shadow of failure. Without any warning, The Lord spoke the hardest words for Moses to hear:
“And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
B. The problem was not understanding the concept; it was doing what God wanted him to do.
1. Remember where he came from
2. Have you ever had to be confronted with returning to the scene of a previous failure?
C. God, however, did not ask Moses’ feelings on the mission.
1. This was not a request, it was a call
2. It was a well-defined mission and there was only one right answer
D. Moses apparently did not get it
1. But Moses said to God, ‘who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
2. Moses thought that God wanted him to be Israel’s deliverer.
3. But, God only intended Moses to be an instrument through which He would be the deliver.
E. God reminded Moses that He would be with him.
Moses Gives Four Excuses and God Gives Four Answers
Excuse #1: Who Shall I say sent me? Exodus 3:13
A. May be Moses was afraid he would not have all the answers
B. May be the essence of Moses’ question was: “What is there in the name of God that will help us in circumstances like these?
Answer #1: I Am Who I Am Exodus 3:14-15
A. In Hebrew, God’s name “I Am” is written only with the consonants YHWH, which we commonly pronounce as “Yahweh.”
B. “I Am” comes from the Hebrew verb for “To Be”; so the YHWH is not only a declaration of God’s eternal and unchanging self-existence; it also communicates His presence with us.
C. Verses 16-22, The Lord to Moses what to tell the people
1. He was concerned about them
2. He would deliver them and give them a land flowing with Milk and Honey.
3. Pharaoh would put up a fight, but God will be victorious
4. Israel will plunder the Land of Egypt
Excuse #2: What if they will not believe me? Exodus. 4:1
A. The last time Moses tried to help, they ran him out of town
B. Moses wanted God to equip him with some verifiable proof that he was coming as God’s messenger
C. How quickly Moses forgot the Words of God in Exodus 3:18, “The elders of Israel will listen to you.”
Answer #2: YOU will have all My power Exodus 4:2-9
A. God gave Moses three miraculous signs:
1. Staff to Snake
2. Turning his hand leprous
3. Nile water into blood
B. The third sign was a miracle reserve just in case the people would not believe
C. God’s answer gave Moses the reassurance that the people would listen
Excuse #3: I don’t have all of the ability Exodus 4:10
A. Either Moses really did not want to go or he wanted to see how God would respond
B. Acts 7:22, “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.”
C. Maybe the 40 years in the desert, his speaking talents dried up
D. Whatever the reason, Moses felt inadequate
Answer #3: YOU will have all that is needed Exodus 4:11-12
A. What Moses needed was a refresher course in trusting God
B. God said all you have to do is trust me and I will supply
Excuse #4: Someone else would do a better job Exodus 4:13
A. It comes down to the fact that Moses did not want to go
B. Moses could not get pass the inadequacies
Answer #4: YOU are my choice, but, I will send someone with you Exodus 4:14-17
A. The Lord’s anger burned against Moses
B. God’s answer, Aaron, Moses’ brother
