God talks to a man through a burning bush (Exodus 3 and 4). A BURNING bush, not just an ordinary shrub, although that would have been scary enough. I don’t know about you, but if I saw a burning bush, I might be looking for a fire extinguisher or at least be dialing 911, but more than likely I’d be making a fast exit far away. And a voice coming out of it talking to you? Could you hear Moses saying to himself, “What was in that lunch I just ate?” He pretty quickly figured out that nobody was hiding behind the bush playing a prank.
So he’s having a conversation with God and getting the download on what God wants him to do. He hears God, and I don’t think his negotiating with God was a matter of not wanting to obey God. It was about self-confidence and fear of failure. He finds out that he has to round up a gazillion Jews, organize a walkout on their “employers,” and get them out of town for a fast getaway with the riches of Egypt. Are you kidding me? Most people agonize for days on what to pack for a seven-day Caribbean cruise. We’re talking about massive relocation. It would be like telling the entire population of Philadelphia to pack up and get out of town—permanently and NOW. Traffic jam does not even remotely describe the chaos.
On top of that, there is the issue of approaching pharaoh, kind of like extracting a favor he can’t refuse from the godfather. Fogettaboudit! On the plus side, Moses was an insider. He grew up in the palace and obviously spoke fluent Egyptian. But 40 years in the Sinai puts on some wrinkles. He is now 80 years old and looking to retire in the sun and fun of Sinai living. Besides, there was a little matter of a murder charge back in Egypt. That score had not been settled in Moses’ mind. He had been spending 40 years in Midian after fleeing from Egypt having killed an Egyptian in defense of a Jewish slave. Word of that incident got out and Moses had to book it out of town. Egyptians had no problem with capital punishment. Eventually Moses’ father-in-law assures him that it had became a cold case file because everybody who was after him in Egypt had already died.
In all that conversation with God at the glowing bush, Moses doesn’t give God a flat out “No, thanks, but I know a guy who might be interested,” but he sure came close. He did know better than that, but he sure danced around it by trying the “Yeah, but…” strategy. You know what that’s all about. You give every reason known to mankind on why the idea is totally out of the question in the hopes that the person will retract the request. It’s like when you had to clean out the garage. You know I can’t lift those heavy boxes. I’ll have to see a chiropractor for months. And there are spiders hiding in the corners. I don’t know where to put all that stuff. There is only so much space and the car still has to fit. Can’t we just hire a clean-out company or a few high school kids who need money for the prom? It doesn’t really look so bad. Can’t it wait another year?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Moses, the negotiator, runs out of “yeah buts” because God gives him a comeback for every objection. What was Moses thinking! He’s trying to negotiate with the God who knows every thought knowable to humankind. Nothing surprises Him. He wrote the book. Did Moses actually think he could get out of God’s call by in essence saying, I don’t think this is a good idea; you’ve got the wrong address? God is not swayed by Moses’ reluctance. Instead, for every fear Moses brought up, He extends grace, which amounts to supernatural provision even though you don’t deserve it.
Moses would probably not have been our choice for leader of a multitude. Moses was a senior citizen hanging out with the sheep, minding his own business, and certainly not looking for a new job as CEO of Ancient Israelites Incorporated—not exactly the feisty Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments. It’s a good thing God doesn’t ask our opinions about whom He calls to do mighty exploits in the face of the impossible. The unlikely candidate Moses became the instrument of God’s deliverance and establishment of an entire nation. Now that is big stuff. The whole story of God’s miracles in the Israelite exodus from Egypt has been retold every year at Passover seders among Jewish people all over the world for more than 2000 years and it never gets old.
What is impossible in your life that needs the hand of supernatural intervention? Do you have a call on your life and think that it is impossible? Some issues that insurmountable, yet we have a God of grace, mercy, and favor who is not only able, but He is willing to extend His hand. Here are some of His Words to take the “yeah, buts” out of every situation.
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1).
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).
Note to self: Believe God instead of the arguments floating in my head. What God says is truth and He is faithful to perform what He has said. God has a purpose, destiny, and plan for each of us. We need to hear, listen, and obey, and then see His glory.
Copyright 2015 by Eva Benevento. All rights reserved.