Bible Study - Broken (2) - Objections Overruled - Exocus 3:11-12; 4:10-17 - July 30, 2017

Bible Study – Broken (2) – Objections Overruled – July 30, 2017

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Broken Vessels: How GOD Uses Imperfect People.”

Our focus scripture is Exodus 3:11-12; 4:10-17.

GOD will work through us despite our shortcomings.

Our focus scripture is a classic example of GOD calling the unlikely to HIS service. We know the story of Moses’ mother placing him in a basket and placing him in the Nile River and Pharaoh’s daughter rescuing him and taking him to be raised in the palace of Pharaoh by his own mother.

As an adult, Moses killed an Egyptian and fled to Midian, where he married and was a shepherd for his father-in-law. It was while he was tending the sheep on Mount Horeb/Sinai that GOD manifested Himself to Moses and called Moses into HIS service.

Moses was a Hebrew by birth but he was raised in an Egyptian Palace and educated by the Egyptians. Numbers 12:3 reveals that Moses was meek. Moses did not know GOD therefore GOD had to build the right relationship with Moses.

Some 400 years earlier, Joseph, the son of Jacob was second in command in Egypt. A famine came into the area but before the famine, GOD had given Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. The Pharaoh at that time asked for Joseph to interpret his dream. The interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream was that there would be 7 years of plenty of food and 7 years of famine. Pharaoh believed that Joseph correctly interpreted his dream and put Joseph in charge of the food supply for Egypt.

Famine came to the area and Egypt had enough food to provide to the surrounding area, which resulted in Joseph’s family relocating to Egypt. As you recall, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, which resulted in Joseph being in Egypt. (Genesis Chapters 37-50) 

In our scripture, time had passed, 400 years, and many different Pharaoh’s had come and gone who did not know Joseph. The Hebrew’s were slaves and in bondage to the Egyptians. They cried out to GOD. GOD heard their cry and came to their rescue. GOD’S intervention was not only a rescue but a physical revelation of GOD Himself to the Egyptians and the Hebrews. GOD demonstrated HIS power over the Egyptian gods. GOD demonstrated HIS presence and power to both the Hebrews and to the Egyptians.

Our scripture begins with Moses tending sheep on Mount Sinai/Mount Horeb. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Exodus 3:1-10: (Background)

The Burning Bush

1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

2 And the angel of the LORD (GOD) appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.

3 And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned."

4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."

GOD knows each of us by name. When HE calls, we have a choice. Do we ignore HIS call or do we turn our attention toward HIM? When HE gets our attention, HE speaks to us any way HE chooses, such that HE knows it will get our attention and we will listen. Our part is to respond. GOD’S part is to communicate and reveal.

5 Then he (HE) said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

GOD establishes the conditions for approaching HIM. GOD is Holy and as such the presence of GOD makes the place where HE is Holy. Keep that in mind.

When we ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins and for HIM to come into our lives, HE does. Then, we become the sanctuary for HIS presence. Christians become Holy Ground because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

Now, that is awesome and carries a huge responsibility that can only be achieved by allowing the Holy Spirit lead, guide and control our lives.

6 And he (HE) said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

All of these patriarchs had been physically dead for many years, yet GOD said “I AM the GOD of your father, the GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac and the GOD of Jacob” all present tense. GOD is eternal and so is every human. 

When we leave our earth suits, we will be in eternity either eternally with GOD and JESUS in Heaven or separated from them, which is Hell.

7 Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,

GOD knows the issues each of us face along life’s journey. Notice, the Hebrews cried out to GOD.

8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Even today, GOD is in the business of delivering HIS children from the bondage and slavery to sin through faith in JESUS by HIS shed blood. Our journey away from bondage is not easy. We are faced with that which from a human point-of-view is impossible but with GOD all things are possible. Our part is to trust and to keep moving toward the Promised Land of victory.

9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.

The Hebrews cried out to GOD. When we, as humans, have had it with the bondage of sin and we cry out to GOD, HE can deliver us. GOD opens the door but we must walk through the door of faith and trust.  

10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."

When GOD calls, the question is, “How will we respond?”

This is an extraordinary event. Moses had been in the desert tending sheep in Median for about 40 years. Moses was 80 years old when GOD called HIM. How do we know that Moses was 80 years old?

Let’s read Exodus 7:7 - 7 Moses was 80 years old and Aaron 83 when they spoke to Pharaoh. In Acts 7:22, we learn Moses age when he killed an Egyptian - 22 So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was powerful in his speech and actions.

23 "As he was approaching the age of 40, he decided to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel (slaves in Egypt). (This was while Moses was still in Egypt and the next day after he killed an Egyptian.) If we take this information and add the 40 years Moses lived in Median we get 80 years old when GOD called Moses into HIS service.

Let’s read Exodus 3:11-12:

11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

Excuse #1 – “Who am I?” GOD often calls those who least expects to be called by GOD. Why?  GOD wants him or her to be led by HIM and not him or her doing his or her own thing. When GOD calls HE desires to be our strength, planner, guide, equipper and provider.

12 He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."

GOD promised Moses that he along with the Israelites would return to that same mountain they were on, which happened. This was GOD’S promise or covenant for success. This did not mean the journey would be easy but it would be successful.

Let’s read Exodus 3:13-15:

13 Then Moses asked God, "If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, 'What is His name?' what should I tell them?"

Excuse 2: “"If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, 'What is His name?' what should I tell them?"

14 God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you."

GOD responded to Moses’ questions. I have found during my journey with the LORD that HE answers our questions. Often, HE responds in an instant but at times, when we are capable of understanding HIS response, HE answers.

15 God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, 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; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

This is as true today as the day GOD revealed it to Moses.

Let’s read Exodus 4:10-12:

10 But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."

Excuse #3: “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."

In the original Hebrew language it translates “heavy mouth” and “heavy tongue.”

11 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?

12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."

GOD’S desire is to teach us Himself. When we get the truth directly from HIM, it is just that, truth. GOD’S plan has always been for those who place their faith and trust in HIM, through faith in JESUS, for GOD to teach, enlighten and empower them through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Remember Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Exodus 4:13-17:

13 But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."

Moses continued to argue with GOD. Moses felt inadequate to the assignment to which GOD had called him. GOD’S desire was for Moses to trust GOD. 

The same is true today. When GOD calls HIS children to an assignment greater than what they think they can accomplish, that is where GOD’S desires for them to be. Why? It is because HE desires to be in charge and lead them. Our reluctance to trust GOD does not please HIM as we read in our next scripture ---

14 Then 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.

GOD got angry with Moses. GOD’S choice is always the best choice. GOD’S desire is for us to rely upon HIM. HE will be our tutor. We learn when we trust HIM. GOD knew that this stubborn streak in Moses would cost him entrance to the Promised Land.

Moses got a taste of GOD’S Grace but he did not get out of doing what GOD had called HIM to do.

What do you think about GOD getting angry?

We know that over time Moses became less dependent upon Aaron and became GOD’S intended spokes person. Moses was not perfect and neither are we. We are all sinners saved by the shed blood of JESUS and GOD’S Grace.

GOD had a specific role for Moses as we read on ---

15 You (Moses) shall speak to him (Aaron) and put the words in his (Aaron) mouth, and I will be with your (Moses) mouth and with his (Aaron) mouth and will teach you both what to do.

GOD would speak to Moses and Moses would speak to Aaron. Today, GOD speaks individually and directly to HIS children and HE speaks directly and corporately to and through the pastor of the true church. The pastor speaks GOD’S message to the congregation. The pastor is accountable to GOD for speaking truth.

GOD gifts each Christian to function within that body of believers. 

Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit and those who have that gift are to discern the truth of the pastor’s message.  There are many other gift’s of the Spirit which are to be used to minister in the true church.

Is your church a true church? If not, do you desire for it to be a true church? If so, what would a true church look like? The Apostle Paul reveals some aspects for the function of the true church in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12.

16 He (Aaron) shall speak for you (Moses) to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.

Moses was to be as GOD to Aaron. The message of GOD came to Moses and from Moses to Aaron.

17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs."

GOD confirmed HIS message to Moses with a sign. Moses was to take this staff in his hand. It wasn’t just any staff but the staff Moses had been using to shepherd sheep. His staff was a tool used to assist him as he walked over rocky, rugged terrain, protected him and his sheep from wild animals and used for guiding his sheep. It was a staff GOD would repurpose from the ordinary to the divine. GOD often uses what we have and repurposes it to be used for HIS Glory.

What is our staff today? Is GOD’S word our staff as GOD delivers us from the bondage of sin? Yes! GOD’S Word is our lamp and guide as we escape from the snares of life and our assurance as we face the impossible. Walk with confidence as our LORD guides you from the bondage of sin to HIS Promised Land.

Notice in Exodus 4:27-29, that GOD had already called Aaron: 27 Now the Lord had said to Aaron, "Go and meet Moses in the wilderness." So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.

28 Moses told Aaron everything the Lord had sent him to say, and about all the signs He had commanded him [to do].

29 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites.

Moses was 80 years old. LORD willing, I will turn 80 this year, which helps me to put this study into perspective. We must not let age be a deterrent in our obedient service to our LORD. We must work in GOD’S vineyard as long as there is light and harvest or until HE calls us home. Blessings!!!