Call us now:
Exodus 2 to 4, Acts 7:22–36, Hebrews 11:24–27
The story of Moses teaches you how God calls people. God does not always call the strong. He often calls the weak. He does not always call the ready. He often calls the afraid. Moses did not look like a good candidate. He was hiding. He was old. He had failed before. Yet God chose him.
Your life often looks like Moses’ life. You have plans. You have fears. You have mistakes behind you. But God still calls. His call does not depend on your past. It depends on His purpose.
The Background of Moses
Moses was born in a hard time. Israel lived in Egypt as slaves.
Exodus 1:11 says, “They set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens.”
Pharaoh wanted to kill all Hebrew baby boys. Moses’ mother hid him. Later she put him in a basket in the river. Pharaoh’s daughter found him. He grew up in the palace.
Acts 7:22 says, “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.”
Moses had education. He had power. He had position. But he also had a burden for his people.
One day he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. He killed the Egyptian. He thought the people would understand. They did not.
Exodus 2:14 says, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us?”
Moses became afraid. He ran away to Midian. He became a shepherd. Forty years passed. The man who lived in a palace now lived in the desert.
Sometimes God allows you to move from comfort to hiding. He uses the desert to shape you.
The Burning Bush
One day Moses was keeping sheep near Mount Horeb.
Exodus 3:2 says, “The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.”
The bush was burning but not consumed. Moses turned aside to look.
Exodus 3:4 says, “When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses.”
God called him by name. God always calls people personally.
God said in Exodus 3:5, “Put off your shoes from off your feet, for the place whereon you stand is holy ground.”
God wanted Moses to know one thing first. This was not a normal meeting. This was a holy moment.
When God calls you, He first shows you who He is. He is holy. He is great. He is above you.
God Reveals His Concern
God told Moses why He was speaking to him.
Exodus 3:7 says, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry.”
God sees suffering. God hears prayer. God knows pain.
Then God said in Exodus 3:10, “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people.”
This was the call. God did not say, “I will go.” He said, “I will send you.”
God often chooses to work through people. He could free Israel without Moses. But He chose to use a man.
The First Objection. “Who am I?”
Moses did not jump with joy. He was afraid.
Exodus 3:11 says, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh?”
This is the voice of fear. Moses looked at himself. He saw weakness. He saw failure. He saw age.
God answered in Exodus 3:12, “Certainly I will be with thee.”
God did not say, “You are strong.” He said, “I am with you.”
When God calls you, the question is not “Who am I?” The real question is “Who is with me?”
The Second Objection. “Who are You?”
Moses asked another question.
Exodus 3:13 says, “When I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me, and they shall say, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”
God answered in Exodus 3:14, “I AM THAT I AM.”
God wanted Moses to know that He is eternal. He does not change. He does not fail. He does not depend on anyone.
God also told Moses the message to give to the elders. He even explained what Pharaoh would do. God already knew the struggle ahead.
When God calls you, He also prepares you. He never sends you blind.
The Third Objection. “They Will Not Believe Me”
Exodus 4:1 says, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice.”
Fear always finds excuses.
God gave Moses signs.
- The rod turned into a snake.
- His hand became leprous and then healed.
- Water could turn into blood.
These signs showed one truth. God has power. He can confirm His word.
The Fourth Objection. “I Am Not Eloquent”
Exodus 4:10 says, “I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”
Moses remembered his weakness. Maybe he stammered. Maybe he lost confidence after years in the desert.
God answered in Exodus 4:11, “Who hath made man’s mouth?”
God is the Creator. He knows your limits. He also knows your purpose.
Then God said in Exodus 4:12, “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth.”
God does not need perfect speakers. He needs willing servants.
The Fifth Objection. “Send Someone Else”
Finally Moses said in Exodus 4:13, “O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.”
In simple words, “Please send someone else.”
Moses was honest. He did not want the task.
The anger of the Lord was kindled. Yet God still made a way. He allowed Aaron to help Moses speak.
This teaches you something important.
- God is patient.
- But God still expects obedience.
- He can use helpers.
- But He does not cancel His call.
What the Call of Moses Teaches You
- God calls people with a past.
Moses was a fugitive. He had killed a man. He had failed.
Yet God still chose him.
Hebrews 11:27 says, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.”
Your past does not stop God. Only your refusal can stop you.
- God often calls you when you feel least ready.
Moses was 80 years old. He was a shepherd. He was far from Egypt.
God’s timing does not follow your comfort.
- God does not reveal everything at once.
He told Moses the goal. He did not show him every battle. Step by step, Moses learned to trust.
The same is true for you.
- God’s presence is the real answer.
Over and over, God said, “I will be with you.”
Without God’s presence, the task is impossible. With God’s presence, even Pharaoh will bow.
- God’s work is about people, not fame.
God said, “I have seen the affliction of my people.”
The call of Moses was not about Moses. It was about saving others.
What Happened When Moses Obeyed
Moses went back to Egypt. He stood before Pharaoh. He spoke God’s words.
- He saw plagues.
- He saw miracles.
- He saw the Red Sea open.
- He saw slaves walk free.
None of this would have happened if Moses stayed in Midian.
Your obedience opens doors for others.
A Personal Call to You
You may not see a burning bush. But God still speaks.
- He speaks through His word.
- He speaks through burdens in your heart.
- He speaks through needs around you.
You may say:
- “I am not good enough.”
- “I am too weak.”
- “I am afraid.”
- “Send someone else.”
God still answers the same way.
“I will be with you.”
This is enough.
Conclusion
The call of Moses is the story of a weak man and a great God.
Moses did not start with confidence. He started with fear. But he walked with God.
Do not wait until you feel strong. Do not wait until you feel ready. If God is calling you, step forward.
Remember this truth from Zechariah 4:6,
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
God does not need your strength. He needs your obedience.
If He could use Moses, He can use you.