Moses Becomes Israel’s Leader by Divine Appointment
March 13, 2022
Commentary
Today’s passage begins with Moses asking God, “Who am I (v. 11)?” This was because he didn’t feel qualified to be the leader of his people. He had just been a shepherd leading sheep. God tells Moses that he would be with him (v. 12). One with God is a majority.
Then Moses asks the question: “What shall I say (v. 13)?” He knew that he’d be questioned when he went to the people and told them that the God of their fathers had sent him. The people had been accustomed to hearing of many gods and Moses wondered if they would want to know the true and living God. God told Moses to tell the children of Israel “I am hath sent me unto you (vv. 14-15).” This meant that God always was and always would be caring for His people. We serve the God who is alive, who is present, who is here right now and who gives life and breath to everything that lives (Acts 17:25).
God then told Moses to go to the leaders of the children of Israel and tell them He was going to deliver them (v. 16). Moses was glad when he heard that God would deliver Israel, however, now he was hearing that God would deliver them through him (vv. 17-22) As long as we trust and obey, we can be assured of God’s approval, regardless of people’s response. Just as the Lord knew how Pharaoh would respond to Moses, so He knows exactly what lies ahead of us.
Application
A right concept of God is essential to serving the Lord with power, purpose and proper perspective. It is easy to be asked to do something that I do not feel qualified to do? How should I respond? I must remember that God will never ask me to do something that He will not also equip me to do.
Exodus 3:11– 22 (NET)
11 Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, or that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 He replied, “Surely I will be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you bring the people out of Egypt, you and they will serve God at this mountain.”
13 Moses said to God, “If I go to the Israelites and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ —what should I say to them?”
14 God said to Moses, “I AM that I AM.” And he said, “You must say this to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “You must say this to the Israelites, ‘The Lord —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, and this is my memorial from generation to generation.’
16 “Go and bring together the elders of Israel and tell them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, appeared to me—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—saying, “I have attended carefully to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I have promised that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’
18 “The elders will listen to you, and then you and the elders of Israel must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, not even under force. 20 So I will extend my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders that I will do among them, and after that he will release you.
21 “I will grant this people favor with the Egyptians, so that when you depart you will not leave empty-handed. 22 Every woman will ask her neighbor and the one who happens to be staying in her house for items of silver and gold and for clothing. You will put these articles on your sons and daughters—thus you will plunder Egypt!”