Satan tried to kill Moses at birth and to spiritually destroy him in adulthood through the riches and enticements on offer as heir to the throne of Egypt. Hebrews 11:24-27.
We know that Moses made a choice to help the Israelites when he was 40 years old but he was still operating in his own strength and wisdom and his own people did not understand the call of God on his life. Acts 7:22-29. So when he ended up killing an Egyptian, there was nothing else to do but flee to the desert! He ended up in Horeb (desolate place) & at that point it must have looked like it was all over!
Exodus 3:1 The Hidden years.
In the desert Moses the Egyptian Prince learned to become a simple shepherd looking after someone else’s sheep in the “backside of the desert”. He went from being a “somebody” to being a “nobody” (God’s allows us to be brought down so that He might bring us up - Satan tries to build us up so that he might bring us down!)
Moses had plenty of time to think about his past - a time for self discovery! His first son was named Gresham (“thrust out”) and this gives us some clue about his feelings during those years. God was allowing Moses to experience brokenness. He was learning how weak he really was! Chuck Swindell says the desert experience is the place of self discovery and true identity!
Exodus 3:2-6. A defining moment.
It was at this point of failure that God showed up in the bush! God told Moses he was on Holy Ground - this was a defining moment”. (Moses never forgot the bush. Deut 33:16.) When the Lord called him Moses answered one word in the Hebrew “hinaynee” meaning “I’m here” or “it’s me”. God had got his attention! When Moses realised that he could not save Israel - he was ready for the job! God can’t use us when we are too strong. 1 Cor 1:27.
God wants us to experience encounters with Him so that we will be like a burning bush - to be lit for God. Burning with passion for HIM.
Prophetically it was said of Jesus “the Zeal (meaning intense desire) of your house has eaten me up.” John 2:17. It is out of this place of surrender to God that He brings things to pass in our lives & gives victory over sin!
Exodus 3:7-9. God knows everything.
The Lord was well aware of the problems of His people. He did not want them to be slaves. The dictionary definition of a slave is “a person under the dominion of another.” God does not want us to be in bondage! Whether it is an addiction or a controlling relationship or a financial problem or whatever - God wants us free! Galations 5:1. John 8:32 & 36. If things have not been brought into the light, Satan has a legal hold and we will not be free!
The Lord had seen the oppression of His people. He had heard their cry and He knew their sorrows. Cp. Hebrews 4:15.
Exodus 3:10-12. The start of the “buts”.
The Lord was calling Moses to be the deliverer of His people “but” Moses asked “who am I” that I should go to Pharaoh? (It was a humble response.)
The Lord didn’t even answer but just said “certainly I will be with you!” Seems like God’s Presence would be enough for any problem and God was giving him purpose - he was going to “serve God”. Exodus 3:12b.
Exodus 3:13-18. Moses has another question.
He asked “who are You?” God said He was “I AM.” Moses was to pass on a message to the Israelites that God the “I am” would bring them up out of affliction to the land flowing with milk and honey! He also gave Moses a peep into the future and told him he was to ask Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the desert to worship! When we recognise who God is we must worship & if we don’t find room to worship Him - don’t be surprised if he arranges a trip to the desert for us!
Exodus 3:19-22. God can do anything.
Then God said I am sure the King of Egypt will - NOT - let you go! God knew the outcome but had already planned for it! God already knows about and has made provision for the negative things that happen in our lives.
God said “so I will stretch out my hand …with all my wonders!” Do we believe God can still do signs and wonders? Then God told the Israelites He was going to give them favour in the sight of the Egyptians. They were to plunder their enemies - to ask them for articles of silver, gold and clothing! They were not going to leave Egypt empty handed v21. God can rob our enemies! They were going to get their entitlement for years of slavery.
Exodus 4:1-9 The second “but”.
Moses says “but suppose, but suppose!” He was afraid because the Israelites had not believed him the first time when he tried to help them - why would they believe him now? Difference was - now it was God’s time!
God asks Moses a question - “what is that in your hand?” God can use what we have but like Moses we have to lay it down first. 4:3-6. The rod now became the “rod of God” v20.
They were going back into Egypt where Satan ruled so God was symbolically showing Moses His power over Satan and over sin (the rod became a serpent and Moses’ hand became leprous). The water spilled on the ground was a prophetic picture of the blood of Jesus. But Moses was still reluctant to obey.
Exodus 4:10-17. The third “but”.“But” I am not eloquent! Exodus 4:10 - God said He would be with his mouth but Moses then asked God to send “someone else” and although the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses He allowed Aaron to be his spokesman. Perhaps Moses later regretted this. See Exodus 32.
Lessons for life.
Know that God does not “leave us” in the “desolate place”.
Are you aware of God’s timing in your life? (F.B. Meyer said in his book Moses the Servant of God:- “One blow struck when God’s time is fulfilled is worth a thousand struck in premature eagerness.”)
Have you been wondering who you are? Your identity is in God.
Are you finding room in your life to worship God?
Have you surrendered your resources to God? They belong to HIM.
If God highlights an issue from your past - are you ready to go back and address it? Moses had to go back to Egypt but God made it a safe place for him. Read Exodus 4:19.
Are your prayers to the Lord punctuated with “but”? Better to just say “yes Lord”.