Exodus 3:1-22
The first forty years of Moses' life was spent in Egypt, where he was raised as the privileged son of Pharaoh's daughter. "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds." Acts 7:22. He was both smart and strong.
One day he saw a Hebrew slave being abused by an Egyptian. While defending the mistreated man, Moses killed the oppressor, believing that God had raised him up to become the deliverer of the children of Israel. Shortly thereafter Moses discovered that Pharaoh heard of the matter, so he fled to the back side of the desert, where he spent the next forty years tending sheep. The prince of Egypt became a lowly shepherd.
But the Lord had other plans for Moses. He called Moses to Himself, speaking from a burning bush that was not consumed. The Lord had seen the oppression of His people in Egypt, and had heard their cries. God said to Moses, "So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites." Now the Lord was going to be the Deliverer. No doubt Moses was thrilled to hear what God was going to do.
Next the Lord said, "Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." Now Moses was going to become God's deliverer. Forty years earlier he had run from Egypt for his life. He had no thoughts of ever returning. He was married and had settled down, living quietly and peacefully. The Lord was sending him back.
"But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?'" Exodus 3:11. The Lord had been preparing Moses for eighty years for the ministry to which He called him. Moses didn't know that he would be returning to the back side of the desert to spend the last forty years of his life, leading the children of Israel. Forty years earlier he wasn't really prepared for that challenging task. But Moses was now ready. Who am I? He was still smart and strong, but had become a meek and humble man that God could use.
The God that Moses served revealed Himself as "I AM WHO I AM." It really didn't matter much who Moses was. The most important thing to remember is who the Lord is. He is our sufficiency, all that we need.
Lord, we know that You are the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, and yet dwells with those who have a contrite and humble heart. Thank You for using us in Your service. In Jesus' name. Amen!
