The Excuses Of Moses

The Excuses of Moses

Exodus 3:1 – 10

When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush He had a special job for him to do, God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Now being the great bible character that we know Moses to be, we would have expected him to say, “No problem I’ll see you on the other side of the Red Sea”

However, in response to God’s call we see Moses giving a number of reasons (excuses) as to why he thought he was “Not the man for the job” Tonight I want us to look at the excuses Moses usees, but more importantly the Response that God gives to each of them.

As Gods people we all have a special calling from God. Not to go to rescue a people in physical bondage, but to rescue the world in the bondage of sin.

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Too often though we find ourselves using the same excuses as Moses did.

Definition

EXCU’SE = A plea offered in extenuation of a fault or irregular deportment; apology. Every man has an excuse to offer for his neglect of duty; the debtor makes excuses for delay of payment.

1. The act of excusing or apologizing.

2. That which excuses; that which extenuates or justifies a fault. His inability to comply with the request must be his excuse.

Excuses are one of our greatest enemies, they can slow us down, prevent us from action, and they are false reasons for inactivity.

Excuse No 1 : (Ex 3:11) – Who am I?

Moses was unknown to Pharaoh. Egypt had a great king, they had a huge army that was able to defend the country, and they could have easily prevented the Israelites’ leaving.

A long time ago Moses had been part of the Royal setup as he was the adopted son of the king’s daughter; but now it was quite different. Moses was a private person, an exile in a foreign country, a poor shepherd. Isn’t it amazing how God uses people who cannot boast of themselves to say, “Look what I have done!” – David – shepherd

It had taken God 40 years to break Moses so that he could be used. Remember he killed the Egyptian; it was as if he were trying to save his people on his own, and he was rejected. Now at 80 God calls him because Moses is ready to be used to free God’s people. (but says “Who am I”)

Response No 1: (Ex 3:12)

God’s response was quick and should have been enough. God would be with Moses to encourage and strengthen him; to protect and defend.

God promised to be with Moses and this should have been sufficient, as Paul later wrote in Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Some of us use the same excuse today – Who am I?

We try to excuse ourselves by saying that we are insufficient for the task, it is true that we are insufficient but God alone can make us sufficient - 2Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Just remember, we will always be sufficient for the task that God has called us to do because He works through us.

Look at what he did with the Apostles in Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Through Jesus God has given us the same assurance that He gave to Moses, He has promised us the he will be with us always, even unto the end of the world (Mat28:20). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb13:5) With His help we can accomplish anything He wants us to do. Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Excuse No 2 : (Ex 3:13) – What Shall I Say?

Moses doesn’t know how he will convince the children of Israel that he is Gods ambassador.. and they shall say unto me, what is his name? This question would not be through ignorance because they had called upon the name of the Lord, and cried to him for help and deliverance because of their situation. Maybe they would try and test Moses to see what knowledge he had of God.

Moses is unsure about what he will say to them.

Response No 2: (Ex 3:14 – 15)

God tells Moses what to say in response to that question. If they ask who sent you tell them my name – Jehovah – I AM THAT I AM. I AM has sent you to them.The name of God that Moses was to use expresses the absolute, unchanging and eternal being of God. I was, I am, I always will be…. God is the same – Unchanging.