God told Moses He wanted to send him to deliver His people. He responded, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” God took away the excuse by promising to be with him. Anyone is someone with Almighty God on his side (Exodus 3:9-12; Romans 8:31).
Moses asked who he should say had sent him. God said to say, “I Am has sent me,” or the One who exists by His Own power (Exodus 3:13-14; Revelation 1:4)! Moses was to tell the Israelite elders that God had seen their suffering, would deliver them and take them to the promised land. Moses and the elders were to ask Pharaoh to let them go three days’ journey into the wilderness to worship their God. He foretold that Pharaoh would not let them go, even by a powerful hand. The Almighty would send them out with abundance as if Egypt had been plundered (Exodus 3:13-22; Genesis 15:14)!
Moses said the people would not believe him. God gave him three miracles designed to convince the elders that he was God’s chosen messenger. His rod would become a serpent and turn back into a rod. His hand would be leprous and then whole again. Water from the river would turn to blood when poured out on the ground (Exodus 4:1-9).
Moses next said he was not an eloquent public speaker, either before God began speaking or at that very moment. This excuse borders on being an accusation against God. It is tacitly false, as Deuteronomy demonstrates. God did not remedy this supposed problem, but He said He had made man’s mouth and could strengthen Moses (Exodus 4:10-12).
Moses finally asked God to send anyone but him. God was angry because He had promised all necessary aid. He gave to Moses his brother Aaron as his mouthpiece. The ultimate power would come from God as He gave Moses the words to speak (Exodus 4:13-17).
The futility of making excuses to God is evident. He made us. He knows us. He will not ask us to do anything we are unable to do.
