Exodus 4:1-17

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Reluctance of Moses to Respond to God’s Call

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Lord provides confirmation for His chosen servants.

  2. The Lord provides assistance for His chosen servants.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Use whatever you have to serve the Lord!

QUESTIONS

  1. Where was Moses when God called him? How did God call him

  2. How did Moses respond to God’s call?

  3. How did the Lord respond to Moses’ reluctance?

  4. List the three confirming signs God gave Moses.

  5. Did Moses respond well after God had shown him these signs?

  6. How did the Lord give Moses assistance in this matter?

ANSWERS

  1. Moses was living in Midian, after he fled from Egypt. God called to him from a burning bush when he was out feeding his flocks.

  2. with reluctance and doubting

  3. The Lord patiently and graciously gave Moses three miraculous signs in order to give him confidence and confirmation.

  4. 1) God turned his staff into a snake, and back again. 2) Moses’ hand became leprous and then was restored. 3) Moses would be able to turn water from the Nile River into blood.

  5. No, he again showed reluctance and doubting by asking God to choose another leader!

  6. God provided Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be his spokesman before the people. Moses would perform the signs and give the Word of the Lord to Aaron, and Aaron would do the speaking.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Review the three signs God used to confirm the divine commission of Moses. How did each sign show God’s power? What was the spiritual symbolism of these signs?

  2. Read Exodus 4:11 where God responds to Moses claim that he was not an eloquent speaker. How should this verse affect our view on abortion and the treatment of handicapped people?

CHALLENGE

  1. What is in your hand? How can these things be used to serve the Lord?



KEY VERSES

  • “So the LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A rod.’… ‘And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.’” Exodus 4:2, 17

  • “So the LORD said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?’” Exodus 4:11