Message Notes

29 July 2014

Text: Exodus 4

MORE CONCERNS FROM MOSES

1. Concern about not being believed by the children of Israel

“But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.” Exodus 4:1

Answer from God:

Two signs:-

a) Rod to serpent

“What is that in your hand?” Exodus 4:3

“Cast it on the ground.” Exodus 4:3

“Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” Exodus 4:4

“That they may believe that the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Exodus 4:5

b) Healing of a leprous hand

“Now put your hand in your bosom” Exodus 4:6

His hand was leprous

“Put your hand in your bosom again” Exodus 4:7

It was restored like his other hand

A Third Sign

Turning water from the River Nile into blood (Exodus 4:9)

2. Concern about not being eloquent

“O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:10

Answer from God:

“Who has made man’s mouth?
Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, the blind?
Have not I, the LORD?
Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” Exodus 4:13

3. Moses expresses deep reluctance to obey the Lord

“O my LORD, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” Exodus 4:13

Answer from God:

The anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses. (Exodus 4:14)

The provision of Aaron as a spokesman. (Exodus 4:14)

“Is not Aaron the Levite your brother?
I know that he can speak well.
And look, he is coming out to meet you.” Exodus 4:14

4. The Role of Moses as God’s servant remains unchanged

“Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth.
And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth,
And I will teach you what you shall do.
And he shall be your spokesman to the people.
And he shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.
And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.” Exodus 4:15-17