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Exodus 4 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Moses was uncertain about serving God, and his fears represent the same struggles many of us have today. God was asking for Moses to go all in, and his hesitancy can be categorized into four simple questions.
1. Will God be with me?2. What is the nature of God?3. Does He have enough power?4. Can He use me despite my weaknesses?
God extends grace and is patient in meeting Moses in his doubts. In the previous chapter, we see these first two questions answered. God promises to come down and be with Moses (and Israel) during their journey. The last two questions are answered here in Exodus 4. Probably the most difficult one that I struggle with (and maybe you do too) is the last one. I’m certain of God’s power, but it’s hard for me to understand how (and why) God would use me despite my struggles.
We know from ancient documents that eloquence was highly regarded in Egyptian culture. Moses would have known this growing up as a young man. He was so insecure about going back to his old territory knowing that he would be considered nothing in their eyes. In many ways, his history in Egypt made it much harder for him to go back. If he had been ignorant to the place where God called him, he may have been more easily convinced.
It is not easy to revisit our past, but many times on our spiritual journey, the Lord will take us back through our junk. It can be debilitating and painful. But He does it to increase our faith and trust while bringing glory to Himself. I know there have been a few times in my life God has taken me exactly where I said I didn’t want to go!
As Christians, we proclaim to follow Christ wherever it may lead. If that means personal humiliation, then so be it. For many in the early church, it meant death. We must trust in the miracle of His work despite whatever impossible task lie before us.