Today’s Bible reading
(3:7) The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
(4:10) …Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”–Genesis 3:7-12, 4:10-11
More thoughts for meditation
Moses is known for leading the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt, and by the power of God, he parts the red sea as they make their escape into the promise land. But how often do we remember his lack of faith in his abilities, let alone God’s choice in him as a messenger? Reading the whole story in Exodus 3-4, Moses goes back and forth with God many times! He is resistant to follow God’s call. Perhaps he was afraid he would fail. Perhaps he thought he wasn’t good enough?
Here God reveals a beautiful, mysterious part of God’s nature to us – that God prefers to execute their mighty works through us not so mighty and flawed humans. In fact, God deliberately seeks the underdog, the least likely choice. Moses with poor speech to speak out against Egypt’s injustice, the small shepherd David to take down the giant Goliath, a virgin Mary to give birth to the messiah.
Suggestions for action
God tells us that in our weakness, God is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9) And just like God promised to Moses, God is with us, always!
Do you ever feel like you are not up for the task? Maybe your flaws, insecurities, or fears prevent you from feeling worthy or able to participate in God’s work? Jesus has gifted us with the Holy Spirit, and through that power, we can do all things.
When tempted to feel inadequate, remember that God looks past all that. God sees you as God created you – wonderfully and beautifully made!
Yesterday was Flannery O’Connor Day! Enjoy her boundary-breaking gospel art at Celebrating Our Transhistorical Body.