THE PROCESS TO DO WHAT GOD SAYS

Sunday January 21, 2001
2001 William R. Cunningham

INTRODUCTION

What do you do when God tells you to do something? How do you know that it was indeed God instructing you to perform a particular task? What causes you to finally just do it and obey the LORD? Why is it that we don't simply jump every time God tells us to do something, knowing who he is? Instead, we have to deal with a multitude of doubt.

Some people require or hope for some type of conformation as to the will of God for a particular task. For example, if a number of people say the same thing to them during a day then that is construed as being a message from God if in fact they already suspected that God wanted them to do that same thing.

Some people wait to feel peace about a decision that they want to make and use that to determine if what they will do is in fact God's will. Similarly, others wait for a good feeling to confirm the will of God for a particular situation.

Well what does the Bible tell us regarding situations like these and the answers to the previous questions? We will find that the Bible does not paint a picture of "feeling peace", a good feeling, or even conformation from others. There are many examples of people who were instructed by God to do something as well as the process for doing what God says.

We are going to examine the incident of Moses meeting God at Mount Sinai at the burning bush. What did Moses do when God instructed him to deliver the Hebrew people from Egypt? How did Moses respond to a command from the almighty God? This, along with other such examples in the Bible, can help us to know the voice of God, properly respond to God's voice, and overcome any guilt from doubt that we might have about completing a task that we believe was assigned by God.

Our text will include selected verses from Exodus 3:11 to 4:14.

THE TASK IS GIVEN

Let's look at an example of how one man was led to do the will of God. We consider Moses to be a great man of God and yet his story is complete with normal human shortcomings as well as mighty victories for the LORD. Moses was in fact, a normal person like you and I. Consider the following verses.

Exodus 3:10-11 (NKJV) Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

This is a very interesting passage of scripture because of the number of implications involved. First of all, Moses had previously murdered an Egyptian in an argument and fled the scene (See Exodus 2:11-15). He dwelt in Midian with Jethro (also called Reuel) and his daughters. One day Moses noticed a bush that was burning but was not consumed by the fire. Being curious, Moses went to the bush to see why it wasn't being consumed.

God spoke to Moses while he was investigating the bush. Moses became afraid to look at God (most likely the bush) when God identified himself as the God of his fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There are some questions that I would like to present to you in order to set the stage for the discussion of the subject verses given above.

1. Did Moses know to whom he was speaking? Did he know God personally?

2. Did Moses know who he was? That is, did he know that he was a Hebrew raised as an Egyptian?

Let's answer the second question first because it will lead into the answer of the first one. The story of Moses in the Bible does suggest that Moses did know that he was a Hebrew raised in an Egyptian household. Consider the following verses.

Exodus 2:11-12 (NKJV) Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Now the word brethren means literally a brother and figuratively someone that is similar or like. For example, brethren (sometimes the word brother is used) could refer to someone of the same organization bound by a particular oath. Christians are brethren because of our likeness to each other in the faith that we have in Jesus Christ. Here, Moses' brethren were those who where like him, namely Hebrews.

We can see from these scriptures that Moses knew who he was, a Hebrew by birth. However, he was raised as an Egyptian. The fact that he looked at the burdens of his brethren and killed an Egyptian who was beating one of these brethren, suggests that Moses was loyal to his nationality above his Egyptian training. He still considered himself a Hebrew and defended one of his brethren whom was in danger from an Egyptian. So Moses did know that he was a Hebrew by birth.

However, Moses was raised as an Egyptian. Therefore, though he may have heard about the Hebrew God, more than likely he was trained as an Egyptian pertaining to religion. Therefore, it is very unlikely that Moses would have known God personally or intimately. His training would have made him aware and tolerant of many gods, which explains his response to the LORD at the bush.

We should also consider the fact that Moses stayed in the household of a priest of the LORD. Therefore, more than likely, Moses did learn firsthand about the Hebrew God. One could even say that Moses' stay at Reuel's house was training and preparation for the task at hand. He was with Reuel long enough to marry one of his daughters and have a son.

Now God told Moses what He wanted him to do, namely to deliver God's people from the Egyptians. Moses' first response was that of resistance or at the very least low self-esteem. Let's look at the implications of this situation.

1. Moses didn't find it strange to be talking to a deity from the burning bush. His Egyptian training would have conditioned him for such an encounter. This could have merely been another god that he didn't know about.

2. Moses really didn't personally know this God because he was raised as an Egyptian. However, he would have most likely known something about God from his education.

3. Moses resists the will of God. This is most likely due to his ignorance of God and his great knowledge of the Egyptian way. He didn't know enough about God to know that there would be nothing to stand in his way if the LORD was with him.

THE PROOF

Exodus 3:12 (NKJV) So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."

This particular scripture has always amazed me. First, looking back to verse 11, there are two concerns that Moses had.

1. Going before Pharaoh, whom Moses would have feared

2. His ability, standing, or authority needed to free the Hebrews from Egypt.

We have to constantly remind ourselves that Moses was trained and raised as an Egyptian and therefore, Pharaoh was considered the supreme authority over all of the people. As a matter of fact, Pharaoh was considered divine. With this, we can better understand Moses' response to a god (at least that is most likely how it was to Moses).

Now, as I said earlier, God's response to Moses' question or concern is very interesting. His answer was simply that He would be with Moses. This implies a very important concept and implication.

1. Without God, Moses was just another person that rightfully should have been afraid to go before Pharaoh to make demands.

2. With God, Moses had the authority and ability to do what God wanted him to do.

God's proof to Moses that He was sending him is very interesting. His proof was after the fact. It is as if I said to you that the proof that I have the authority to command you to do something would be evident after you have done it and seen it. We tend to want proof before the fact. God's proof or confirmation at this point was in the fact of what would happen after Moses completed his task for God. This means that Moses would have to do what God told him in order to confirm that God sent him.

Now you might find that Moses had some very genuine concerns considering his prior Egyptian encounters. He was really a murder on the run, a fugitive for killing an Egyptian taskmaster, which was a capital offense. So, again, Moses had real valid concerns. After all, the Pharaoh wanted him dead because of his crime and this god at the burning bush (relative to Moses) wanted him to go back to Egypt and face Pharaoh. Wouldn't you be doubtful?

WHO ARE YOU LORD?

Exodus 3:13 (NKJV) Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"

Moses wanted to know who was sending him and therefore what he should tell the people of Israel if they should ask. Remember that Moses really didn't know God personally. The only information that he would have received about God would have been through his Egyptian training, which might have been biased in favor of the Egyptian gods.

Notice God's answer to Moses' question.

Exodus 3:14-15 (NKJV) And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'

The Hebrew words "I AM" are like the name "Yahweh." This Hebrew name for God, usually called "LORD," shows that God always lives and is always with his people. God declares his eternal and independent existence. He also declares His relationship with His people, the Hebrews. Perhaps this form of identification was to show that Moses was not returning in the authority of an Egyptian deity but rather in the authority of their own (the Hebrews) God.

MORE PROTEST

I will leave it to you to read the rest of Chapter three. The conversation continues between Moses and the LORD. God instructs Moses and answers his questions regarding Moses' doubts about his fulfilling the task. Then Moses gives another reason why he should not be sent, which is given in the scripture below.

Exodus 4:10 (NKJV) Then Moses said to the Lord, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."

Some hold that Moses was saying that he stutters. However, it appears that Moses was merely stating his opinion about his speaking abilities. He declared that he wasn't a good speaker and that would hinder his success in demanding that Pharaoh let the Hebrew people go.

Now consider God's response to this protest.

Exodus 4:11-12 (NKJV) 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? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say."

God declares His power over man and therefore his mouth or speech. God also declares his sovereignty (He can do whatever He wants). He then tells Moses to go and that He would be with him and show him what to say.

Now we have to consider that God has shown Himself to Moses and declared His power, sovereignty and relationship with Moses and Moses' people.

We should consider, in fairness to Moses, that even though he would have learned Hebrew as part of his Egyptian training, he probably didn't speak it fluently as a Hebrew would. This is probably why he complained about his speech or speaking abilities (not that he stuttered). There is no indication that Moses stuttered.

Also, consider the fact that Moses had spent his entire life to this point as an Egyptian. Imagine if you as a baby were raised in China for example (assuming you are not a Chinese) or any other nation besides your own. You would know the ways of the Chinese, how to speak fluent Chinese, Chinese religion, and you would sound like a Chinese. You may be American by birth but you were raised a Chinese and so you would be effectively a Chinese. The same is with Moses. He probably sounded like an Egyptian, which is another reason he would have complained about his speech. His Hebrew wasn't fluent so he would have to search for the right words to say and appear, perhaps, to stutter. Just for your information, Moses, as an Egyptian, would have probably learned Egyptian, Akkadian, and the Hebrew languages.

Moses, again, therefore complained from very valid concerns. He just needed reassurances to do what God wanted him to do. In addition, a god whom he really didn't know was commanding him. What if God appeared to you in such a way? How would you really know that it was God and not some other spirit?

Moses tried to get out of the task. Consider the following verse.

Exodus 4:13 (NKJV) But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send."

Moses attempted one last time to get out of the task that God had assigned him. His plea was for God to simply send someone else. Moses still refused to do what God said even after all that God told Moses to this point. What happens next is even more interesting and has several implications.

Exodus 4:14-17 (NKJV) So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: "Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God. And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs."

God became angry with Moses. Imagine how you would feel in a similar situation. Moses was in effect rejecting God. God responded by suggesting Aaron as the spokesman for Moses. Moses would tell Aaron, his brother, what God wanted said and Aaron, whom was evidently a better speaker than Moses, would tell the people. With this, Moses conceded and accepted the task to free the Hebrews from Pharaoh (the Egyptians). Even though God would be with him, Moses seems to have felt more comfortable that Aaron, his brother, would be with him. Aren't we the same way?

AN OVERVIEW OF MOSES ENCOUNTER

We can learn a lot from the encounter that Moses had with God at the burning bush. Let me first list them below.

1. Moses was trained and raised in another way of life then the Hebrews

2. Therefore, Moses was not familiar with the Hebrew God on a personal basis

3. Moses had legitimate concerns regarding the task that, to him, a god was telling him to do.

4. God worked with Moses in that he reassured him and answered all of his concerns and doubts. God didn't make tyrannical demands of Moses.

Moses had to be convinced to do the task that God had given him. If Moses had relied totally on emotion then he would not have done it. He didn't look for a feeling of peace or a good feeling. He turned to the one that was giving him the task to be assured that he could complete the task. He did present reasons for his failure and asked for confirmation. That is, Moses confronted God in such a way that he required assurances that he was the one to do what was being required of him and that the god talking to him was indeed authoritative enough to carry out what He had promised and said. Remember again, that Moses was trained as an Egyptian and didn't perceive the LORD God in the same way the Hebrews would have. To Moses, this deity in the burning bush could have merely been another god that he didn't know about.

Also, it appears that Moses might have felt more comfortable that Aaron (someone else in the flesh) was going with him. Again, we must consider Moses' concept of a god. The Egyptian gods weren't concerned about the individual in the same way that the Hebrew God was. So why would the fact that this deity in the burning bush comfort Moses by a statement of being with him? Moses needed to know God and Aaron would have been perfect for that task or ministry since Aaron was a Levite in the service of the almighty God. God therefore had everything worked out.

Notice too how God handles the situation. He worked with Moses where Moses was even though God became angry at Moses. Wouldn't you?

APPLICATION

If we don't know God or His Kingdom then we will always have doubts and concerns when he tells us to do something. There is, of course, always the concern of whether God is actually instructing us or not. I believe that comes with knowing God and experiencing God. If we don't know God or have not experienced Him, then we will be just like Moses. We will not only be uncertain of the task to complete, but also of God, the one sending us to complete the task since we really wouldn't know Him.

So here is what we can do.

1. Do all we can to know God personally

2. Do all we can to know the Kingdom of God or how God operates

3. Be sensitive to God so that we will hear him when He calls us

4. Be confident that God will provide for the task that He gives us

Overall, we should do our best to know God intimately so that when He calls on us that we will be ready, able, and confident to answer the call with minimal to no objections and doubts. Moses, in my opinion, suffered from a lack of knowledge of God and had no choice but to seek confirmation and authentication. Pharaoh was much more real to Moses then the Hebrew God. God therefore, had to present himself to Moses as greater than Moses.

This situation isn't always true. There are some people in the Bible that already knew God and therefore did not need for God to give them a crash course on who he is. We'll leave those examples to another lesson or study.

Our response to the task of God should be first to somehow confirm that God is indeed giving the command. Second we should trust that God will provide and simply obey. Here are some things that correspond to this lesson.

1. Know when God is talking to you

2. Know that God has sent you

3. Trust God regardless of what it looks like

4. Know that God will not condemn you for any concerns that you have. He knows you and, like Moses, has already dealt with your concerns.

5. Constantly strive to know the LORD God personally each day more and more

6. Do what God says!

CONCLUSION

So how do you know what God wants you to do? Do you ask someone else for confirmation? Do you wait for someone to approve what you heard from God? Do you seek God for yourself and move on what YOU know to be true? What if people like Martin Luther of the reformation, Martin Luther King of the civil rights movement, or Paul the Apostle refused to do what God told them? What if they spent their time requiring confirmation or asking those around them to confirm that God was indeed behind the calling in their soul?

To whom do you confide in when you soul aches to do something? Do you go to God or your pastor? How often have you waited or refused to do something because it did not agree with your church doctrine, religious affiliations, or peers? Moses had a great task before him because God was telling him to go against Pharaoh. Who is your Pharaoh? What tasks have you in your soul that seem larger than life and brings about a state of fear just thinking about it?

Moses dealt with his fears and concerns in a rather normal way. He even tried to get out of it. In the end he did what God wanted him to do with the assurance of Aaron's, his brother, accompaniment and his new faith in God (based on the signs that God gave him). What about you? Face God. Tell him honestly what is on your mind and what concerns you have. God will answer you because he is not a tyrant. He loves you and he has a task for you. So do it. Amen.