In the book of Exodus (4:1-5) Moses is arguing with God over God’s
instructions (Exodus 3) to lead the children out of Egypt. He makes all the usual excuses that we use
when God calls us to do something for Him.
Moses said, “Who I am” (verse 11), then paraphrased, “who’s telling me to do this?” (verse 13). It sounds a lot like some of our excuses for not obeying Him. I can’t do that, I’m just not qualified or able. I
certainly can’t speak very well so how can I accomplish anything for God. I
have no authority to
do that either, after all, people will say I just want to be seen by
others. Amazing isn’t it how we can find
all sorts of reasons for not doing what Jesus has called us to do.
Notice what God does in reaction to this.
“Moses, what is that you have in your hand?” Moses says,
“A rod.” It was an ordinary shepherd’s rod, nothing fancy, or
extravagant, just a simple wooden rod.
Moses followed God’s instruction to throw down his rod and it became a
snake. He told Moses to pick it back up
by the tail and it reverted back to a rod. God gives Moses this sign that the people may believe (verse
5). If you follow that rod and Aaron’s
rod through the book of Exodus you will find that God used those simple rods to turn water into
blood, to bring frogs
up into the land of Egypt, to cause lice to invade the land, to bring thunder
and hail upon the Egyptians, to cause locusts to swarm and devastate the
country. That rod was lifted up and God
divided the waters at the Red Sea. When
Moses raised that rod as
the children of Israel were battling Amalek the battle went in their
favor. When it was lowered they lost
ground.
What are the lessons we can learn from all of this? What does God want us to understand today in
our walk with Him?
1.
God took what Moses already possessed to accomplish His will. Moses
already had everything God needed to get the job done. Do you and
I realize that God and already given us everything we need to accomplish His
will? Your personality, your gifts, and
talents, are all that Jesus needs to change our
world for His glory! Will we lay down
what we have as Moses did and surrender it to Him?
2.
God supernaturally empowered Moses’ rod to do great and mighty
things. God took his ordinary and made
it extraordinary. Would to God we could surrender to God
everything we are and all we possess to Him.
He can take what we have and do incredible things.
3.
Moses’ rod was used to bring glory to God. It was not the rod, but God’s power through
the rod that brought the miracles. God
had Moses strike the
rock at Horeb (Exodus
17:6) and it brought forth water for them, but at Meribah (Numbers 20:8-13) God commanded Moses to speak to the rock to bring
forth water. Moses disobeyed God and
struck the rock twice
instead of speaking
to it. God was not hallowed (glorified) because the
children of Israel needed
to know that it was not the rod and Moses that had the power, but God. We have to be careful and
remember it is not our abilities or gifts that get things done for His Kingdom,
but God working
through those things for His Glory.
Thinking you can’t do anything for God?
Jesus is saying, “Give me what you have and I will do great and mighty
things through you”. Will we give it
all? Throw it down before Him and watch
what He does!
