Exodus 4:1–17 “God Who Becomes Our Strength in Weakness”

Exodus 4:1-17 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• The Stand – Hillsong UNITED
• Hillsong – I Surrender
• Lauren Daigle – You Say

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• [HiBible]E.279“Moses’ Obedience”(Exodus 4: 1-9) – Lesson for Kids
• Whole Lotta Change | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I Will Sing Unto the Lord (Horse and Rider) | HLA Wilderness Escape VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I’m All In | Cave Quest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Previously, Moses offered two excuses in response to God’s calling. First, he claimed he was nobody. Second, he asked God to reveal His name. Each time, God patiently persuaded Moses. Yet even after these reassurances, Moses still could not accept God’s calling.

For the third time, Moses presents another excuse to God. He asks, “What if the Israelites do not believe me or listen to me?” (v. 1). In response, God tells him to throw the staff in his hand onto the ground. When Moses obeys, the staff turns into a snake. Startled, Moses backs away, but God tells him to reach out and take it by the tail. When Moses does, the snake turns back into a staff (vv. 2–4). God then tells Moses to show this sign to the Israelites (v. 5).

Still unsatisfied, God tells Moses to put his hand inside his cloak. When Moses does so and takes it out, “his hand was leprous—it had become as white as snow” (v. 6). The phrase “was leprous” is a translator’s addition to help clarify the scene. While Moses is left stunned, God instructs him to put his hand back into his cloak. When he obeys, his hand is restored to normal (vv. 6–7). God tells him that if the Israelites do not believe the sign of the staff, he should show them these signs instead (v. 8). And if they still do not believe it, Moses is to take some water from the Nile and pour it on the ground, and it will turn to blood (v. 9).

Even after all this, Moses still cannot accept God’s call. For the fourth time, he offers an excuse, saying that he is not eloquent enough to lead (v. 10). God responds by saying He will help Moses speak and teach him what to say (vv. 11–12). Now, Moses can find no more excuses. Cornered, he pleads with God: “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else” (v. 13). Upon this fifth excuse, God becomes “very angry” and tells Moses that his brother Aaron is a good speaker and will go with him (v. 14). The statement “he is already on his way to meet you” suggests that God had already appeared to Aaron and summoned him.

God promises to be with both, saying Aaron will be Moses’ spokesman, acting as his mouthpiece (vv. 15–16). Finally, God tells Moses to take the staff in his hand and use it to perform the signs (v. 17).

Meditation:

Moses declines God’s calling not just once, but five times. At first, he gives what seem like reasonable excuses. But by the end, he flatly refuses, insisting he is not the right person. Being chosen and called by God is indeed an honor. However, with that calling often comes sacrifice and suffering. Moses seemed to weigh the cost of sacrifice and hardship more heavily than the honor of being chosen by God.

At this point in his life, Moses is around 80 years old. He may have had ambitions in his youth, but those days are behind him. Now, he’s at an age where most people would expect to enjoy their retirement peacefully. His 40 years in the wilderness have stripped him of the influence and skills needed to confront Egypt’s advanced civilization. Considering these circumstances, it would almost seem strange if Moses had responded quickly and eagerly to God’s call. His repeated refusals are entirely understandable from a human perspective. And yet, God persistently persuades him—over and over—until Moses finally sets out on the path God has laid before him.

Why didn’t God call Moses when he was in his prime? When his passion for Israel burned fiercely, his mind and body were sharp, and he had deep knowledge of Egypt’s political and economic systems, God left him in the wilderness of Midian. Why did God remain silent when such a gifted man was wasting away as a shepherd?

Because delivering Israel from Egypt could not be accomplished through human strength or wisdom, God did not need Moses’s passion, skills, or power. God required faith- a faith that could “see Him who is invisible” and move forward (Hebrews 11:27).

That is why God called Moses when all his human capabilities had faded, when he was old and worn. It makes complete sense that Moses would repeatedly refuse. And it makes just as much sense that God would persist in persuading Moses until he finally set out on the journey.

Prayer:

God, we come face to face with the truth that we often live under the illusion that we are something in Your presence—that we possess some ability or strength by which we can work for You. Help us to realize that we become truly useful to You only when we become completely useless in our own eyes. Teach us that You lift us up only when we know that we are nothing and lower ourselves before You. Take us—unworthy and unprofitable as we are—and do with us as You will. It is enough for us to remain in You simply. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God doesn’t call us because we’re strong, smart, or ready. He uses us when we trust Him, even when we feel weak or unsure—because His strength shows up best in our weakness.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What do you think Moses felt when God asked him to lead the people?
  • Can you think of a time when you were scared to do something, but someone helped you?
  • Why do you think God still wanted to use Moses, even when Moses didn’t feel strong?
  •  
• For Youth
  • Why do you think God waited until Moses was older and weaker to call him?
  • Have you ever said “no” to something because you felt not good enough or afraid? What happened?
  • What does it mean that God wants faith more than ability?