Please Send Someone Else

God has never ever asked anyone to do anything He has not equipped them to do. From Abraham to the Apostles, and with us, God has constantly enabled people to do extraordinary things, which are beyond their ability, intellect and wherewithal. He asked Moses to lead three million Israelites, who were enslaved in Egypt for 430 years, out on foot through dangerous, arid wasteland, across the sea pursued by a formidable Egyptian army into a land occupied by people who were armed to the teeth.

If you think of how dangerous and impossible the task was, you will forgive Moses for coming up with excuses. Moses made five excuses: I am not qualified; I don’t really know your name; The people won’t believe you sent me; I stutter and please send someone else. Moses’ excuses were not based on his lack of faith in God. He knew God was able. His reluctance was based on his inadequacies, fears and his inability to carry out such an enormous and dangerous task. Like Moses, we also make excuses for not getting involved in what God is doing, but what are our excuses based on? Let’s explore Moses’ story to see how God dealt with his excuses. Perhaps we can learn a thing or two.

I am not qualified

Moses encountered God through the burning bush. God made His intention clear to Moses. “I have indeed seen the misery of my people [the Israelites]…I have heard them crying … and I am concerned bout their suffering…So I have come down to rescue them…and bring them…into a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:7-8, NIV). Moses must have been glad to hear God say that. After all, about forty years prior to that time, he had tried and failed to rescue the Israelites. But when God said, “I am sending you Moses”, his attitude changed. “Who am I?” he said. Behind this question was a deep sense and acknowledgement of his personal weakness compared to the might of Pharoah to pull off such a task. He felt unqualified, unable, and inadequate.

Calvin saw this as “the excuse of modesty and humility.” He rightly pointed out that at this stage, Moses could not be said to be disobedient. Calvin conceived Moses’ attitude as “not only to be free from blame, but worthy of praise.” (Calvin’s commentary on Exodus). God never ever calls people who are full of themselves. He calls those who are less of themselves, so He (God) can make them full of Himself. As we set out as a Church to do “the work God commanded,” and as you consider your own part within it, if you feel you don’t have what it takes, please know that Moses felt exactly the same, and then God filled, qualified and equipped him for the task. God will fill us all with His ability to do what He has commanded.

As God said to Moses “I will be with you” so He says to us now “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NIV).

God gave Moses an immediate assurance of His abiding presence. He did not stop there, He also gave him a promise he could look forward to: “When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (Exodus 3:12, NIV). That promise is ladened with assurance that his mission will be successful. Moses’ success was not based on his wisdom or strength, it was based on God’s outstretched arm. Our success is also assured if we continue to rely on His grace and direction. Calvin said our “firm and unwearied obedience” will grow “deeply rooted in our hearts” when we become convinced that “God is with us.”

I don’t know your name

After God comprehensively dismantled Moses’ first excuse, he came up with another. It reminded me of a day while on my morning walk in Nonsuch Park, I sensed the Holy Spirit say to me to catch up with the lady in front, say hello and tell her I love her. I hesitated, and said to God I will, only if by the time she gets to the next turn she continued forward. To my surprise, she continued forward. Still reluctant, I came up with another excuse. By this time, she had turned right at the crossroads and I thought that was it, but the Holy Spirit kept nudging me. With the lady out of sight I said to God, well, she is gone, but if by any chance our paths cross again, I will do it. Thinking there was no chance that will happen, sure enough about ten minutes later, there she was on my left and we met at another crossroad. I eventually stopped giving excuses and did what God had asked.

Moses said to God, what if they ask me your name, who will I say sent me? God said, “I AM WHO I AM”. In other words, “I have always been who I have always been.” The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob and I will act in a way which is consistent with my track record. I was struck by reading Exodus 3:16, when God said concerning the Israelites, “I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt”. For 430 years when Israel was enslaved in Egypt, God watched over them. This is a great lesson to us that even when we are under siege, going through a rough season, God is not passive, He is watching over us, and in due season He will intervene. He did intervene for the Israelites; He is intervening for us. Evil has not gone unnoticed; God will bring judgement in due course. He is the I AM God. He has always been present; He will always be present, and He will do what He will do. Amen!