By Kyle Beshears
Instructor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Reluctance
Exodus 3:4–14, 4:13–16
The Approach (3:4–6)
I love to camp. My idea of a good vacation is a long hike in the wilderness that ends around a campfire while I stare into the mesmerizing dance of flames that turns logs into ashes. It is a beautiful and powerful sight. Perhaps this is why God chose to appear with fire throughout Scripture.
God appeared to Abraham as a pot of fire when He made a covenant with the Hebrew patriarch (Gen. 15:17). God led His people from Egypt through the wilderness by night as a pillar of fire (Ex. 13:21). Daniel described God’s throne as one of a “flaming fire” (Dan. 7:9). John’s vision of Christ featured eyes like flaming fire (Rev. 1:14; 2:18; 19:12). As the author of Hebrews summarized, “Our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29).”
God’s beauty and power, His absolute holiness, is communicated to us in the image of fire. It is purifying, refining and sanctifying, which is why Moses, a sinner, was instructed to remove his sandals. There is a gap between God’s holiness and our sinfulness. We cannot come too close to the fire or it will burn us. Yet we see hope in the bush that was burned by fire but not consumed. It is possible to stand in the presence of God’s holiness without succumbing to destruction by the sanctifying power of the cross and resurrection.
The Assignment (3:7–10)
Through the burning bush Moses was called to an important task — the redemption of God’s people from slavery. How did Moses respond? He came up with excuses, even when God was calling him to something greater than he could ever have imagined. It is easy to judge Moses but I think we have all been in his sandals (or lack thereof) before. Moses, when reflecting on God’s call, asked a question that I am sure we have all asked, “Who am I?” Who am I that God would use me, choose me and love me? We ask the same question as if God is ignorant of our sin, failures and inadequacies.
The Appellation (3:11–14)
A friend of mine teaches Bible classes in a large prison. A few years ago, while teaching through the book of Exodus, his group of prisoners came to the passage we are studying today. As he began the lesson, my friend asked the group about their thoughts on this passage. One prisoner raised his hand, stood up and said, “I love Moses.” My friend smiled and asked the prisoner why he loved Moses. “Well,” the prisoner stammered, “because he is a murderer.” This was an unexpected answer and, admittedly, my friend began to feel uncomfortable. Tears welled up in the eyes of the prisoner as he continued. “Moses was a murderer and that’s why I love him. He was a murderer just like me. But the thing is, God loved him and used him anyway. And if God can love and use a murderer like Moses, then He can love and use a murderer like me.”
The Assessment (4:13–16)
Moses was a murderer but God loved and used him anyway. Moses was not qualified and neither are we. But there is one who is qualified — the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the Son of God and His love, we are made qualified for every task He calls us to. The Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day believed they were qualified but instead Jesus chose unqualified fishermen and traitorous tax collectors to carry out the most important mission God has ever given humanity — to go into the world, preach the gospel and make disciples of all people groups (Matt. 28:19–20). God revels in calling the unqualified. What is stopping you from answering His call?
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