Fear turns to refusal

The other day when I read from Exodus, about Moses and the burning bush, I was caused to ponder how I show fear when I face the Lord of Lords.

I still ponder that. :) But today I was surprised, well, okay..not so much surprised as I do know this story, but I was reminded of how quickly one's fear and reverance of God can turn to be something else if God asks something of us that we don't want to give.

Moses was called of God to go to Pharaoh.

He wasn't really wanting to go.

He offers up excuses
1. From Exodus 8: what if they ask me your name? What do I say to them? God says

"I AM WHO I AM."And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" 15God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

2. Exodus 9: But they won't believe me:

The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff." 3And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4But the LORD said to Moses, "Put out your hand and catch it by the tail"--so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand-- 5"that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." 6Again, the LORD said to him, "Put your hand inside your cloak."^[a] And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous^[b] like snow. 7Then God said, "Put your hand back inside your cloak." So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8"If they will not believe you," God said, "or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground."

3. But I don't talk so good. I am slow of speech and tongue.

Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."

4. GOD! Please. I don't want to go. Send someone else!

14Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs."

God answered each one of Moses' objections.

It didn't matter what Moses said. God had an answer.

Moses went.

And it's interesting. Moses, in the end, obeyed. AND he obeyed KNOWING that Pharaoh wasn't going to listen. He knew the task that God was setting him on would be tough. he knew the road would end in hardship and death.

God told Moses

21And the LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23and I say to you, "Let my son go that he may serve me." If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.'"

Moses got permission from Jethro to return to his people. He gathered up his wife and sons and set off for Egypt. He took the staff of God with him.

Moses met up with Aaron in the wilderness and off they went to do the bidding of the Lord.

29Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. 30Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. 31And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Reminds me of all the times that I fight against God.
And he answers my objections. He calms my fears. He reminds me of who he is.

And I am caused to obey, even when I know the road will be tough, I know who has called me to task. That's what happens you know, when God meets all your objections, you see things in the light of who HE is, rather than just your own self. :)

Though I must admit, sometimes I wish I listened just a bit quicker! It is always a good thing when I listen to God's call.