#11 – Exodus 4:1-17
What’s My Excuse?
Moses’ initial response to God’s “I will send you to Pharaoh” was “Who am I?” The L-RD has revealed Himself in a very personal way, promising to be with Moses on this daunting venture. Moses has G-d’s assurance that, though victory won’t be swift or easy, ultimate success is assured.
What if?
Having received such divine assurance, Moses should be “good to go,” right?
Not quite. He continues asking the “but what if” questions as He considers his options.
“What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?
For they may say, ‘The L-rd has not appeared to you.’” (Exodus 4:1)
Before criticizing Moses unduly, we would do well to put ourselves in his sandals (though at this time he’s standing barefoot – next to a flaming bush in which the angel of the L-RD has appeared). G-d has done most of the talking, but unless He is speaking exceedingly slowly or with long pauses, the entire conversation to this point is less than four minutes long.
One may imagine that Moses is singularly transfixed by the scene before him. What in his 80 years of life thus far would compare to a divine appearance in an unconsumed-on-fire shrub?
The release of his people from bondage would be a joyful prospect, doubtless. But that he himself would return to Egypt to effect their escape likely was beyond anything Moses had fantasized. Idealistic dreams of heroic glory are the stuff of youth. Eight decades of living – four of them guarding flocks in a desert – would tend to erode visions of daring exploits.
Perhaps Moses is thinking, Even if I DID go, who would ever listen to such a fantastic tale? I’m having a hard time believing this is happening myself. How would I ever convince others?
Thankfully, G-d understands Moses is struggling to take in this mind-blowing experience.
Excuses answered
“What’s that in your hand?”
G-d doesn’t ask questions because He doesn’t know the answers. He is not unfamiliar with a shepherd’s staff. He’s teaching Moses by taking what is very familiar – a walking stick with a hook for rescuing a sheep from a ditch – to do something extraordinary.
When Moses obeys the L-RD and throws down the staff it transforms into a serpent from which Moses flees! [1] At G-d’s command he grabs the serpent’s tail and it returns to be his trusty walking stick.
Next comes “Object Lesson 2.” Moses removes the hand G-d told him to place on his chest underneath his outer garment and finds it “leprous like snow.” Before the horror of that disease has time to fully register, G-d has him repeat the process – and the hand is back to normal.
And if these two signs will not prove sufficient for the elders of Israel to believe Moses is indeed on a mission from G-d, a third sign will be provided: Nile water will be turned to blood.
One may imagine how Moses’ head must be spinning. Obviously, he is experiencing the supernatural take place before his very eyes. But the assignment he’s being given still is beyond Moses’ perceived abilities.
“Please, L-rd,I have never been eloquent,
neither recently nor in time past,
nor since You have spoken to Your servant;
for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
(Exodus 4:10)
Don’t you love the honesty in reporting here? Um, L-rd, I’m really not qualified for this spokesman job. You know, I’ve never been much of a speaker in the past, distant or recent. And actually, since we’ve been chatting you’ve fixed my staff and healed my hand – but my tongue still doesn’t work well.
The L-RD responds with two rhetorical questions: Who creates mouths? And who makes people able to speak or see? And He answers with a third, “Is it not I, the L-RD?”(Exodus 4:11)
G-d has already promised to be with Moses.(Exodus 3:12) Now He promises, “I, even I [the One who created you just as you are], will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” (Exodus 4:12)
Please send someone else
But Moses REALLY doesn’t want to take on this task! “Please, L-rd, now send the message by whomever You will [just so it isn’t ME!].”
For the first time in the biblical record, the L-RD is angry. But He extends grace, informing Moses that his eloquent brother Aaron is on his way to help with communications:
You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth;
and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth,
and I will teach you what you are to do.
Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people;
and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as G-d to him.
(Exodus 4:15-16)
With a final, “Oh, and don’t forget your staff – you’ll need it,” this singular divine encounter ends.
Fear factor/Misery Index
Moses’ misery is centered on his assessment of his own lack of ability. Even after the L-RD demonstrates supernatural signs (having a conversation with G-d in a burning bush is not sufficient), the 80-year-old Moses is not on board. A return trip to Egypt would have its own perils. Demanding Pharaoh release his slaves? That’s a job for someone else!
Where is G-d?
We see the L-RD’s patience demonstrated as He deals with a reluctant prophet. He promises to be present; He demonstrates His power. He reminds Moses of His sovereignty in creation. And yes, He gets angry.
“In wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2) is exactly what we see on display here. G-d neither destroys nor dismisses Moses.
Instead, He provides the extra assistance Moses needs to accept the assignment he’s been given. As the Psalmist says, “
[G-d] Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.”
(Psalm 103:14)
[1] Thankfully “The Book of Moses” (the Torah/Pentateuch) records the frailties and foibles of our heroes, Moses included, as well as their exploits. They were like us! In contrast to another shepherd who in his youth killed a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-36), Moses “hightails it” at the sight of a serpent – though surely he had previously encountered many in his years in the desert.
[2] When Abraham bargained with G-d to spare Sodom, he twice entreated Him not to be angry (Genesis 18:30, 32), but there is no incident of G-d being angry until Exodus 4. (We do see other prior expression of divine emotions, e.g., in Genesis 6:6 where He was sorry He had made man and was grieved in His heart.)
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