Moses – The Making of a LeaderSample

Day Five: Moses’ Excuses

Thoughts on the Passage

Moses does not want this job!

There are things we are asked to do – and we do not want to do them, do not think the job is a good fit, or we know that the cost is not worth the effort (or pay!). To Moses, this is one of those jobs. It does not matter that it comes from God, Moses does not want it.

 He has lots of excuses – people will not listen to me; I have nothing to give; I am not qualified; I cannot speak… and lastly, I do not want to do it.

God can deal with all of these except the last one. That excuse makes God angry with Moses. God can deal with people who will not listen; God can make up for our lack of qualifications; God can do miracles that make people listen; but, He cannot use someone who refuses to be used. In the end, God assigns Aaron (Moses’ brother) to help Moses where he is weakest. Still, in the end, it is going to be Moses who everyone listens to, not Aaron.

Remember, Moses is eighty years old, forty years out of touch, and someone who tried and failed. Still, God said he is the right person for the job. It is not a job that he is qualified to do. It is a job that he will grow into. It is this growing as a leader that excites me about these lessons on Moses. How does he grow quickly into the leader that God wants – while on the job? I want to learn that. It starts with obedience when we do not feel like being obedient. It always starts there.

Application to our Life

Are we facing a call by God to do something, and we have no desire to do it? Look carefully at the excuses we make or the ways we try to get out of doing it.

What do I need to do today – as an act of obedience to God?

Time to Pray
Father, today I start with Moses. I start by just being obedient. I do not start because I want to do it. I do not start because I feel qualified or capable. I do not start because there is a great desire to do the job. I start because You ask me. I do not know where it will take me. I do not know how difficult the journey will be. I start because I want to end up knowing You the way Moses knew You. That is my desire and goal. The rest is the journey. In Jesus' name, Amen.