Day 19: That Bush Won’t Burn!

Read: Exodus 3:1-21; 4:1-16

Today we join Moses as an adult in Midian but let’s recap how he got there. He was an Israelite baby who should have been killed at birth (Exodus 1) but was saved by his mother and subsequently, Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2). Also in chapter two, he killed a man and fled to Midian to save his own life. There is no doubt God saw Moses from birth through adulthood. Now that we’re up to speed, let’s continue.

Imagine how strange it would be if you were tending flocks when suddenly, flames appeared in a bush but it never burned up, nor did the fire spread. Peculiar, indeed. Even Moses thought so. He heard God call to him from the bush and he spoke back. It’s getting even weirder! God laid out the plans he had for the Israelites and the role Moses would play. To say Moses is reluctant is an understatement. And that’s probably the strangest thing of all. Clearly he knew this was a divine calling. The excuses began and God answered each one.

  • MOSES: Who am I? Why me? GOD: I will be with you. I’ll give you a sign.
  • MOSES: Let’s say I do this but they ask your name? What then? GOD: Tell them I AM has sent me to you. Tell them I remembered them and I’ve watched over them. The elders will listen to you. I know the king of Egypt won’t let you go, but I’m going to work wonders and then he will. You will plunder them on your way out.
  • MOSES: What if they don’t believe? GOD: Let me show you a trick with that staff. Now let me show you something with your hand. Put it in your cloak. Take that leprous hand out. Now put it back. It’s gone. If they still don’t believe, here’s another thing you can do. Take water from the Nile, pour it on the ground and watch it turn to blood.
  • MOSES: I’m not eloquent! GOD: I gave you that mouth, I will help you use it for my sake.

So many excuses but none of them were the real reason. Moses finally blurted out the truth: PLEASE send someone else! The Lord’s anger burned against him. After all the things God told Moses he would do, he was still reluctant. Excuse after excuse after excuse. The truth is, Moses didn’t want to do it. Maybe he was genuinely fearful. Or maybe he was comfortable where he was with his wife and son in Midian, tending flocks. Perhaps he didn’t feel qualified. After all, he killed a man and was on the run.

God had a plan for Moses’ life and he wasn’t going to accept any excuses.

I wonder if that’s been your reality. It has been mine a time or two—or seventy. Sometimes God asks me to do things I just don’t want to do. Sometimes I’m so comfortable where I am, I just flat refuse. Yet other times, I am fearful because I know my own inadequacies and failures and I don’t feel qualified.

Here is what I’ve learned. It’s not really a secret but call it that if it makes you listen more closely. God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. God will never ask you to do something and fail to equip you. Never. If, like Moses, you’ve been called to a task, God will give you everything you need to complete it. Most frequently it will be something you’re not naturally talented to do. Why? So you know for certain it was beyond you and you give God the glory he is due.

Prayer: Lord, I confess I make excuses when you call me to do things because I just don’t want to. I’m comfortable where I am. Show me the plans you have for me and give me all I need to carry them out.