A Reluctant Leader
Read This Week: Exodus 4
Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead.” So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand. The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. – Exodus 4:19-21 NIV
Exodus 4 details the application of Moses’ call to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. It shows Moses’ initial reluctance as a leader but points to God’s provision of miraculous signs to validate his mission. This chapter eventually leads us to the beginning of his flight back to Egypt and the initial stages of the Israelites’ journey to freedom. As we continue to study and read this book, we understand and glean from the Bible’s insights into supernatural faith, obedience to God’s calling, and the power of the Lord’s faithfulness.
Moses, initially hesitant to accept God’s call, questions his own abilities and fears the Israelites’ disbelief. However, God provides Moses with miraculous signs that are validations and powerful demonstrations of His divine power. The first sign, transforming his staff into a serpent and back, is a breathtaking display of God’s might. The second sign, Moses’ hand being made leprous and restored, further proves Yahweh’s power and Moses’ divine commission. The mention of a third sign, turning water from the Nile into blood, is compelling proof of God’s intervention and leaves us in awe of His supremacy.
Despite these supernatural and extraordinary signs, Moses argues that he is not eloquent and slow in speech. He feels inadequate to confront the Pharaoh and lead the Israelites to their destiny. God reassures Moses that He will help him speak and teach him what to say, emphasizing that He equips those He calls. Moses, still hesitant, asks God to send someone else. God becomes angry but provides a solution by appointing Aaron, Moses’ brother, as his spokesperson. Aaron will speak on behalf of Moses, and Moses will perform the signs.
Having received assurance and support from God, Moses began the road back to Egypt. The Lord instructed Moses on what to say to Pharaoh and warned him of the Egyptian leader’s hardened heart. God outlined that the consequences of Pharaoh’s refusal were the death of his firstborn son. Meanwhile, Aaron meets Moses in the wilderness, as instructed by God, and they talk about all the words of the Lord and the signs He commanded. Moses and Aaron gather the elders of Israel, and Aaron speaks while Moses performs the signs. The people believe and worship, recognizing that God has heard their cries and seen their affliction.
Despite Moses’ reluctance and perceived inadequacies, God provides the necessary tools and support. This example encourages us to trust that the Father will equip us for the tasks He calls us to do, no matter our shortcomings. Moses’ journey also demonstrates the importance of stepping out in faith and obeying God’s commands, even when we feel unqualified or afraid. Fear and a feeling of insufficiency can keep us from our mission and from taking hold of the moments and opportunities God desires for us to lay hold of. He responds to us just as He did to Moses. The Lord always expresses patience and provision as He understands our weaknesses and provides what we need to fulfill His purposes. We see this in our daily lives and relationships.
The Scriptures are robust and effective in teaching us about God’s faithfulness, the importance of unwavering obedience, and the assurance that He equips those who are called according to His purpose. Even though, in our human frailty, we can be reluctant leaders, the Holy Spirit equips us specifically for every task and role that Jesus commissioned us for. As we continue to absorb Moses’ life and calling, we are reminded to trust in God’s provision and step out in faith, knowing He will guide and support us in fulfilling His kingdom purposes.
Exodus Chapter 4 Verse 1
And Moses answered,” But behold, they will not believe me or listen to and obey my voice; for they will say, The Lord has not appeared to you.
Exodus Chapter 4 Verse 5
[This you shall do, said the Lord] that the elders may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has indeed appeared to you.
Exodus Chapter 4 Verse 24
Along the way at a [resting-] place, the Lord met [Moses] and sought to kill him, [made him acutely and almost fatally ill].
Exodus Chapter 4 Verse 26
When he let [Moses] alone [to recover], Zipporah said, A husband of blood are you because of the circumcision.
Exodus Chapter 4 Verse 31
And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the Israelites, and that he had looked [in compassion] upon their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.
~When God Calls~
God Is Saying To Me:
I am the Lord! I was the source of Moses’ message to the Israelites and Pharaoh. Aaron was Moses’ mouthpiece. The performing of the signs(miracles) and words of deliverance from me through Aaron from Moses, validates that what I say, happens! I have seen the affliction and despair of My chosen people and I am faithful to my calling for their freedom. When I speak, things happen for the good!
What This Means To Me:
1. When God calls, respond in faith displaying gratitude and gratefulness! The Israelites bowed and worshiped God for remembering them and staying true to His promises.
2. Lean on Father God, not on your own understanding. When we respond in faith and obedience, according to His will set before us, God receives the glory. Let us all arise and give 100% effort to embracing God’s will in our lives.
3. We must ensure that we are fit to serve God! Before Moses could serve as God’s mediator, he needed to take care of the circumcision issue with his son. His neglect of the issue was a hindrance and roadblock to his calling and nearly led him to death. (Genesis Chapter 17:12) We too are called to live holy lives in God’s calling for us. We may fall short at times, but thankfully, we have Jesus as our mediator who fulfilled all righteousness for us and was cut off for our salvation, to save us from death, too!
This is what I got from God in Exodus 4. In Exodus 3, I had told Moses “I will certainly be with you.” I also told him the leaders of Israel would listen to him. Moses’s questions showed unbelief more than sincere thinking. Moses’s objections represented a lack of faith in himself, and worse they showed a lack of confidence and faith in Me. This also showed I can forgive you if your faith falters. You must have faith in My promises for your life. I will either transform you through your faith, or you will face My judgement. You must have faith that I will speak for you when you serve Me. You must have faith to accept My calling in your life. You as a believer sometimes face the problem of doubt. You must trust Me and not rely on your own understanding. I am your everlasting rock. I showed My mercy and grace by offering to perform 3 miracles through Moses. You have power over the devil when you act in faith. Don’t fear the devil, when you serve Me. When you repent are you trusting in Jesus’s promises that your sins are forgiven? I want you to do what I tell you to do, even if it’s uncomfortable. I am mighty and I can work through you if you make yourself available. Trust that I am sufficient for you. With Moses when he was objecting to Me about what I wanted him to do, it showed that he wasn’t unable to carry out My plan, but that he wasn’t willing to do it. Don’t reject My calling in your life. You are to be My messenger to share My good news with others. I want you to share My word and My miracles with others. If you don’t stay close to Me, your heart can become hardened. Lastly Moses turning water into blood should be a reminder that in the end times, water will be turned into blood again.
What this said to me is God is faithful, even when I am not. When I am facing doubt in myself, I need to trust God and pray He will give me the words that He wants Me to speak. I need “God confidence.” I need to give Him my burdens. I need to make myself and His provisions available for Him to use. While I am still here, I am His messenger to bring others to Him. I need to warn nonbelievers of His coming judgement before it is too late.
Exodus 4:10 Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am [b]slow of speech and tongue.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say.” 13 But he said, “Please my Lord, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose].”
14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled and burned against Moses; He said, “Is there not your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed. 15 You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; I, even I, will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. 16 Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you].
This is a great scene to learn about knowing that Father God is with us as we do work for Him and with HIM.
I do know when God is calling me, prompting me to do something or say something, He wants me to feel confident that I can do it, I can trust Him and know that He is with me.
I have learned over the years that if I need help talking to someone God sends someone so we can hear what God is wanting us to do and say to help the person.
That’s what it’s all about, helping people to know that God is with them, He loves them, and He is working to help them to be set free and that He is working to help them.
Then teach them to realize that they can have a personal relationship with Him too.
Father God was saying to me
I love it when you know I Am with you, that I Am always teaching you what to do, what not to do and say.
I know that you have felt that you were not qualified in the past. I’m glad you have learned you can trust Me to help you.
Sometimes I may ask you do something that may not make sense, but it’s important because at some point they will believe and know its Me trying to get their attention.
So keep listening and doing what I tell you.
Because it’s good!
Thank you Father God that I can know and trust You that you’re always working, You live to teach us, and help us all through life!
What a wonderful journey we get to be on with you!
Love you so much❤️
Have you heard the saying that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it? The Lord is in control, and if you’re facing something or if God asks you to do or say something, He’s going to make a way, even when there seems to be no way.
It’s less about our ability and more about what God can do through us. Where we are weak, He is strong. He loves using unlikely people to do extraordinary things, accomplishing feats that we could never have achieved on our own. This builds the faith of people by showcasing God’s handiwork and miracles through His people.
I’m learning to live life not based on what I can do or what I know, but on what God can do through me. It’s not about my own wisdom and strength, but about God’s wisdom and strength.
He is a miracle worker, and if you want to see His miracles and provisions in your life and in the lives of those around you, we all need to get better at walking in faith, trusting Him, and following His lead. Because He gets things done, our God is a miracle worker.
1. You will face challenges in life, and God will call you on assignments.
2. You can try to go it alone or opt out because you don’t think you have what it takes.
3. Or you can do it with God, relying on Him to bring you through to success.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Exodus 4
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240721-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240721-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240721-Worship2.wav
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This week and exodus chapter 4 I got a song
Believe
Let’s come together to worship our Lord let’s come together to worship our Lord We are blessed yes we are blessed every day we have our Lord with us we believe yes we believe in our Lord let’s be good servants serving our Lord, helping others to know how great our Lord is, we believe yes we believe in our Lord every day When you feel weak or overwhelmed, just talk and worship to our Lord he will help guide us through yes we have a good good father helping us every day. Amen.
When we believe in him every day, he will help us. It’s about serving the Lord the best way that we can . He loves when we ask him and listen . Let’s do our journey with our Lord.
Amen
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