God Calls Moses

Exodus 3:1-10   

         

Like many heroes of the faith, Moses was a man with an eventful and flawed past. 

He had narrowly escaped the genocide of Hebrew baby boys ordered by Pharaoh, Ramses II. As he drifted in the bull rushes of the Nile River, his crying was heard by Pharaoh’s daughter and she “drew him from the water” naming him Moses. He was raised in the household of the Pharaoh as a royal son.

As a young man very much aware of his Hebrew heritage, he killed an Egyptian slave master who was beating one the Hebrew slaves.  Moses fled to the Sinai Desert, living as a fugitive. He was there taken into Jethro’s household, after meeting and marrying his daughter Zipporah.

After Moses fled from Egypt, 40 silent years passed before God appeared to him in a burning bush, (one of the most important self-revelations of God in history.) Moses discovered that God’s call to serve Him included His presence with him, revealed in three distinct messages.

God’s identity – “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” 

God’s Concern for His people – “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” 

God’s Command – “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

This was a message Moses was not eager to hear. He objected strenuously to what God was saying. He considered himself unworthy as surely all would, but that was not the point. God, (not Moses) was doing this. “I will be with you.” 

Moses was 80 years old when he went to Pharaoh demanding the release of the Hebrew people. Moses was 120 when he died and was gathered to his people. 

Anyone - plus God is a potent and irresistible force!