A Crisis of Faith Exodus 3

  If you have ever read "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby then you have heard him refer to Moses at the burning bush from Exodus chapters 3-4.  The story goes that Moses is about 80 years old.  He spent the first 40 years of his life as the adopted son of Pharoah's daughter.  He lived in luxury, even though he was a Jew.  Most of the Jews at the time were slaves to the Egyptians.  Then, Moses decides to rescue a fellow Jew and kills a man.  When it is discovered, Moses runs for his life and ends up in the desert.  He spends the time mainly shepherding sheep on the back side of the mountain.  Until one day that he seems a burning bush.

  Moses steps aside to see the bush burn, when he realizes that though it is on fire it is not being consumed.  God notices Moses has turned aside and uses the opportunity to speak to Moses about his chosen people.  It is time for them to be set free from slavery.  God tells Moses that he is the man to deliver them.  He has been working on him for the last 80 years as leader and shepherd to prepare him to lead a people across the desert.  In fact, his talents for finding water and living in such a harsh climate will come in handy. 

  Moses reaction to what God says is one of "shock".  He says, "Who am I that I shoul dgo to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Exodus 3:11   He then goes on to object and when he still does not get his way he asks for God to send someone else.  Moses is having a crisis of faith.  Moses then says, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in th epast nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Ex 4:10  He wants Aaron to speak for him.  He's worried that he can't do it.  Exodus 4:1  The vision is so big that Moses' response is one of fear and not faith, at least not first.

  The thing is, that God often choses people who aren't beautiful or smart or talented or great in the eyes of the world.  (1 Cor 1:27-29)  I think that is because we have a tendency to lean on our own understanding and talent instead of him.  Also, we have a tendency to worship things rather than God.  If God exalted someone with a lot of talent or beauty and used that person as his spokesperson we would probably end up worshipping that person.  Instead, God uses people that are humble, that know they can't do it, that are willing to pray and lean and depend on him.  It seems the most dangerous place we can be when it comes to doing God's work is self-reliant. 

  Has God ever led you through a crisis of faith?  Has he ever asked you to do something you believed you couldn't do?  Are you willing to act if he asks you to or are you likely to respond as Moses did at first?

  It should be noted that even though Moses objected that he did do what God said.  Even though he did not get to the Promise land, he led them right to the end of the desert.  In the end, Moses was called the most humble man on earth because of the crisis that God led him through (see Numbers 12:3).  He was also called "the friend of God" because he came to realize that God was greater than any challenge he would face. (Exodus 33:11)