Moses Excuses
Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM., This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. Exodus 3:13-15 (CSB)
Moses’ second excuse why God shouldn’t send him to Egypt is: What if I don’t have all the answers? God’s response is: True, you don’t have all the answers. That’s why I’ll be giving them to you as we go.
Sometimes we make God too small. As if God was frantically thinking, “I just don’t know what to do about the children of Israel! They’re stuck in slavery and they need help! If only I could find someone who has a plan. Someone really smart who has all the answers to My questions. Oh, look! Moses!! That guy looks like he’s got it all figured out.”
God’s relationship with Moses’ ancestors was never about what they could do for Him. It was always about what He could do for them. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all had problems, not answers. Most of all, the problem of a broken heart. A sinful heart that wandered away from God and His will.
God doesn’t call us to be part of his family, or to serve in His Kingdom of Grace because we’re so smart. He calls us because He loves us. He wants to give us the answers we need. John 1:29 says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 3:18 says, “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned.”
We have the most important answer. If God has already given us His word, won’t He also give us all the smaller if we need them?
You alone, O Lord God, know the answers before I even ask the question. Provide me with faithful courage to face difficulties, to trust in You, and do Your will.