A remarkably patient God
But Moses said, ‘No LORD, don’t send me. I have never been a good speaker, and I haven’t become one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant.’
The LORD said to him ‘Who gives man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or dumb? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? It is I, the LORD. Now go!’ I will help you to speak, and I will tell you what to say’ (verses 10-12)
Read Exodus 3:16 – 4:12
Human beings must sorely try God’s patience sometimes! And Moses is very much a human being.
God tells him exactly what will happen, assures him that his delegation to Pharaoh will finally succeed, and tells him that the Israelites will listen to him. But as soon as God has finished, Moses says, ‘But what if . . .’ And then the excuses follow like Adam in the garden of Eden: ‘I have never been a good speaker, and I haven’t become one since you began to speak to me.’
In other words, ‘It is your fault God, that I struggle to communicate’! Moses hasn’t listened to God’s promises or assurances, he doesn’t really trust God or take him at his word. It is no wonder God speaks very sharply to him. God would have had every right to drop Moses like a hot brick.
But he doesn’t. He gives him another chance, even to the extent of giving him a ‘mouthpiece’.
We cannot judge Moses, for we are just like him. But God, in his grace, gives us another chance too. And another, and another. . .
Father, forgive me for the times I doubt you and do not trust in you and you alone. I thank you that you so often give me another chance. Amen.
by Robert Turnbull, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)
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