Series: Recovering Stolen Identity & Reclaiming Misplaced Destiny: Part 5: The Moses Story: "what Are You Doing In The Backside Of The Desert?"

1. Excuse No 1 : (Exodus 3:11) – Who Am I? Moses felt useless and a failure. Egypt had a great king that was able to defend the country. They could easily prevent the Israelites’ leaving. Response No 1: (Exodus 3:12) God’s response was quick – He would be with Moses to encourage and strengthen him; to protect and defend. We do the same saying we are nothing.

2. Excuse No 2 : (Exodus 3:13) – What Shall I Say? Moses doesn’t know how he will convince the children of Israel that he is God’s ambassador. They will ask for God’s Name – a test to his claim. What did he know about God? Any Bible School? Response No 2: (Exodus 3:14-15). “If they ask who sent you; tell them my name – Jehovah – I AM THAT I AM. I AM has sent you to them.” This name of God expresses the absolute, unchanging and eternal being of God. We use the same excuse today by saying we don’t know the Bible.

3. Excuse No 3: (Exodus 4:1) – Suppose They Will Not Believe Me? He is afraid of failing. Response No 3: God gives Moses the power to perform miracles - the Rod turns into a serpent; his hand turns leprous & whole again; the water will turn to blood. We hesitate to share the Gospel for the same reason. Suppose they won’t believe me? This is fear of failure.

4. Excuse No 4: (Exodus 4:10) I Am Slow Of Speech And Slow Of Tongue. Moses ignores the miracles God just performed. Maybe he had a speech impediment; was worried about his accent. He was an Israelite, brought up in Egypt, living in Midian! Response No 4: (Exodus 4:11): God is not moved by this excuse. He knows the inability of those He calls and can make up for any shortcomings. He promises to be with Moses & arranges for Aaron as his mouthpiece.

5. Excuse No 5: (Exodus 4:13) – Send Someone Else. Bottom line: “I don’t want to go.” All previous excuses were just a smokescreen to hide his “No”. This show a lack of faith in God. In Hebrew, he is saying: “Send a person more fit for the work than I am. Response 5: (Exodus 4:14). God’s anger is kindled against Moses.

CONCLUSION TO THIS BACKSIDE OF THE DESERT STORY

1. It Is The Place God Strategically Allows Us In Order To Prepare Us For His Work. It Is A Place Of: Refreshing (well he sat down by); Preparation (make ready for a task); Pruning (trim by cutting away dead or unwanted parts); Solitude / Obscurity (aloneness not loneliness); Development (build up; make usable or profitable); Lowliness (Moses went from royalty to shepherding); Growth (emotional maturity sets in); Instruction (lessons will be taught & learned); Transition (passage from one state or stage to another).

2. Backside Living Will Teach: Patience (wait on God); Reliance (all reliance on self taken away. God is source of all); Trust (all faith in Him); Humility (To consider oneself less).

3. The Darkside On The Backside: Satan is busy there. He Will Attempt To Bring: Doubt; Confusion; Opposition; Persecution; Oppression; Temptation.

4. The Mountain On The Backside: Exodus 3:1b: ...and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. Well, it pays to know that on the backside of the desert, there is a mountain. Thank God for the mountain of God. There I will find: Revelation from God; Assurance from God (His promises); My Purpose in God; The Power of God; Peace of God.