Position, power, passion, readiness, confidence and talent – Forty-year old Moses had all that is required of a leader. He was in an advantageous position to release the Hebrew slaves, because he was the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. His passion for his people is demonstrated when he killed an Egyptian who was beating a fellow Hebrew. He was on his toes. He was aware of the hardships of the Hebrews. “He went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labour.” (Exodus 2:11) Moses also had the best training. "Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.” (Acts 7:22) But all these could not help Moses liberate his people from slavery. The Hebrews did not even accept him as their leader. “Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.” (Acts 7:25) Later on, Moses had to flee from the palace for killing an Egyptian.
Away from the palace, Pharaoh, Egypt and the murder of an Egyptian, Moses soon got used to a different lifestyle in Midian. He was tending his father-in-law’s sheep. Forty years had gone by and Moses had become a different person. No more was he the confident and talented guy. He had become a shepherd. His reluctance to free the Hebrews is seen in that he asked too many questions and gave too many excuses to God. Looks like even his powerful speech had become slowness of speech and tongue, or he was just giving a lame excuse when he said, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:11)
At a time when Moses had lost his vision and passion, God met him at the burning bush and sent him back to the palace – the very place he had fled forty years ago. This time, he had no position or power. His confidence was not on himself but on God and His Power. With God, Moses was able to deliver God’s people and lead them.
Like young Moses, we often think we are best equipped to serve the Lord when we have the talent, when we are in an influential position or when we have the required resources. But, God does not want any of those. He is looking for people who will depend on Him completely with whatever they have. As goes the saying, God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
Away from the palace, Pharaoh, Egypt and the murder of an Egyptian, Moses soon got used to a different lifestyle in Midian. He was tending his father-in-law’s sheep. Forty years had gone by and Moses had become a different person. No more was he the confident and talented guy. He had become a shepherd. His reluctance to free the Hebrews is seen in that he asked too many questions and gave too many excuses to God. Looks like even his powerful speech had become slowness of speech and tongue, or he was just giving a lame excuse when he said, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:11)
At a time when Moses had lost his vision and passion, God met him at the burning bush and sent him back to the palace – the very place he had fled forty years ago. This time, he had no position or power. His confidence was not on himself but on God and His Power. With God, Moses was able to deliver God’s people and lead them.
Like young Moses, we often think we are best equipped to serve the Lord when we have the talent, when we are in an influential position or when we have the required resources. But, God does not want any of those. He is looking for people who will depend on Him completely with whatever they have. As goes the saying, God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
