Equipped for God's Call: Overcoming Inadequacy
Summary
### Summary
In today's message, we continued our journey through the book of Exodus, focusing on Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. Moses, still hesitant and full of excuses, questions his worthiness and ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God reassures Moses that it is not about who Moses is, but who God is. God provides Moses with three miraculous signs to convince the Israelites: turning a staff into a snake, making Moses' hand leprous and then healing it, and turning Nile water into blood. Each sign carries deep symbolic meaning, demonstrating God's power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods.
Despite these signs, Moses remains reluctant, citing his lack of eloquence. God responds by reminding Moses that He is the creator of human abilities and promises to help him speak. When Moses still hesitates, God appoints Aaron, Moses' brother, to assist him. This passage highlights Moses' human frailty and reluctance, which many of us can relate to when we feel inadequate for God's calling.
The key takeaway is that God equips those He calls. Our excuses and feelings of inadequacy are met with God's assurances and provisions. We are reminded that our ability is not the question; our willingness to trust and obey God is. As we look around at the suffering in the world, we are called to act, knowing that we do not go alone but with the strength of the God who sends us.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Call and Our Inadequacy: Moses' initial response to God's call was to question his own worthiness and ability. This mirrors our own reactions when we feel inadequate for the tasks God sets before us. However, God reassures us that it is not about our capabilities but His presence with us. Our inadequacies are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness. [01:15]
2. The Power of God's Signs: The three signs given to Moses—turning a staff into a snake, a leprous hand, and Nile water turning into blood—are not mere magic tricks but profound symbols of God's power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods. These signs serve to strengthen Moses' faith and demonstrate that God is in control, even over the most powerful earthly rulers. [04:36]
3. God's Assurance in Our Weakness: When Moses expressed his fear of not being eloquent, God reminded him that He is the creator of human abilities. This teaches us that God knows our weaknesses and has already made provisions for them. Our focus should be on trusting God's plan rather than our limitations. [07:30]
4. The Role of Community in God's Mission: God's appointment of Aaron to assist Moses highlights the importance of community and support in fulfilling God's mission. We are not called to act alone; God often provides us with partners and helpers to accomplish His work. This encourages us to seek and accept help from others in our spiritual journey. [08:07]
5. Responding to God's Call: The story of Moses is a powerful reminder that God equips those He calls. Our excuses and feelings of inadequacy should not prevent us from serving God. Instead, we should trust in His faithfulness and step out in obedience, knowing that He will provide what we need to accomplish His purposes. [11:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:15] - Moses' First Excuse: Who Am I?
[02:03] - The Signs from God
[03:01] - The Staff Turns into a Snake
[03:43] - The Leprous Hand
[04:36] - Symbolism of the Signs
[07:30] - Moses' Fear of Speaking
[08:07] - God's Anger and Aaron's Role
[09:05] - Modern-Day Excuses
[10:43] - Trusting God's Call
[11:24] - God Equips the Called
[12:34] - Our Call to Action
[13:03] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 4:1-17 - Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush and the signs given to him.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 - "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the three signs God gave to Moses to convince the Israelites? ([02:03])
2. How did Moses initially respond to God's call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? ([01:15])
3. What was God's response to Moses' concern about his lack of eloquence? ([07:30])
4. Who did God appoint to assist Moses, and why? ([08:07])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Moses was so hesitant to accept God's call despite the miraculous signs? ([09:05])
2. How do the three signs (staff to snake, leprous hand, Nile water to blood) symbolize God's power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods? ([04:36])
3. What does God's assurance to Moses about human abilities teach us about our own perceived weaknesses? ([07:30])
4. How does the appointment of Aaron highlight the importance of community in fulfilling God's mission? ([08:07])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task God set before you. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([09:05])
2. Moses made several excuses to avoid God's call. What are some common excuses you find yourself making when God calls you to act? ([09:50])
3. How can you remind yourself that it is not about your capabilities but God's presence with you when facing a daunting task? ([01:15])
4. In what ways can you seek and accept help from others in your spiritual journey, similar to how Moses accepted Aaron's assistance? ([08:07])
5. Think of a specific area in your life where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you trust God's plan and provision in that area this week? ([07:30])
6. Identify a situation where you see suffering or injustice around you. What steps can you take to act, knowing that you go with the strength of God who sends you? ([12:34])
7. How can you cultivate a willingness to trust and obey God, even when you feel unprepared or unqualified for His calling? ([11:24])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Call and Our Inadequacy
Moses' initial response to God's call was to question his own worthiness and ability. This mirrors our own reactions when we feel inadequate for the tasks God sets before us. However, God reassures us that it is not about our capabilities but His presence with us. Our inadequacies are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness. When Moses asked, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" God responded, "I will be with you." This assurance is a reminder that our worthiness is not based on our abilities but on God's presence and power working through us. [01:15]
Exodus 3:11-12 (ESV): "But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?' He said, 'But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.'"
Reflection: Think of a task or calling you feel inadequate to fulfill. How can you shift your focus from your own abilities to God's presence with you?
Day 2: The Power of God's Signs
The three signs given to Moses—turning a staff into a snake, a leprous hand, and Nile water turning into blood—are not mere magic tricks but profound symbols of God's power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods. These signs serve to strengthen Moses' faith and demonstrate that God is in control, even over the most powerful earthly rulers. Each sign carried a message: the staff turning into a snake showed God's power over life and death, the leprous hand demonstrated His ability to heal and restore, and the water turning into blood symbolized His judgment over false gods. These signs were meant to reassure Moses and the Israelites that God was with them and had the power to deliver them. [04:36]
Exodus 4:2-5 (ESV): "The Lord said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' He said, 'A staff.' And he said, 'Throw it on the ground.' So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the Lord said to Moses, 'Put out your hand and catch it by the tail'—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand—'that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced God's power in your life. How did it strengthen your faith and trust in Him?
Day 3: God's Assurance in Our Weakness
When Moses expressed his fear of not being eloquent, God reminded him that He is the creator of human abilities. This teaches us that God knows our weaknesses and has already made provisions for them. Our focus should be on trusting God's plan rather than our limitations. God told Moses, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" This statement reassures us that God is fully aware of our limitations and has already accounted for them in His plans. Our weaknesses are not obstacles for God; they are opportunities for Him to show His strength. [07:30]
Exodus 4:10-12 (ESV): "But Moses said to the Lord, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.'"
Reflection: Identify a weakness or limitation you often focus on. How can you trust God to use this weakness for His glory?
Day 4: The Role of Community in God's Mission
God's appointment of Aaron to assist Moses highlights the importance of community and support in fulfilling God's mission. We are not called to act alone; God often provides us with partners and helpers to accomplish His work. This encourages us to seek and accept help from others in our spiritual journey. When Moses continued to express his reluctance, God appointed Aaron to be his spokesperson. This act of providing a partner for Moses shows that God values community and teamwork in His mission. We are reminded that we do not have to carry out God's calling alone; He places people in our lives to support and assist us. [08:07]
Exodus 4:14-16 (ESV): "Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, 'Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.'"
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who can support you in your spiritual journey. How can you reach out to them for help or offer your support to them?
Day 5: Responding to God's Call
The story of Moses is a powerful reminder that God equips those He calls. Our excuses and feelings of inadequacy should not prevent us from serving God. Instead, we should trust in His faithfulness and step out in obedience, knowing that He will provide what we need to accomplish His purposes. Moses' reluctance and excuses did not disqualify him from God's calling. Instead, God provided the necessary support and assurance to help Moses fulfill his mission. This teaches us that our willingness to trust and obey God is more important than our perceived abilities. When we respond to God's call, we can be confident that He will equip us for the task. [11:24]
Exodus 4:18-20 (ESV): "Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, 'Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive.' And Jethro said to Moses, 'Go in peace.' And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, 'Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.' So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to serve? How can you take a step of obedience today, trusting that God will equip you for the task?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "God doesn't call the equipped. God equips the called. And so as we look around us today, we see, we see that God's children still suffer, uh, whether from famine or, or natural disaster or racial prejudice or poverty or, or violence or something else. The people still suffer. God's children still in need for people called people to go to them." [11:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you allow your own feelings of inadequacy to prevent you from serving God, you know, you're taking on responsibility that God never intended for you to have because you see your ability is not the question. It's your willingness to trust, obey, serve, and, and follow God. That's what it is." [11:24] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. You know, I've heard it said many times, God doesn't call the equipped. God equips the called." [11:54] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Like Moses, we too are called by God to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, to speak against injustice and inequality, to, to speak against the political, political and economic powers of this world, which continue to enslave the poor and the powerless. But like Moses, we do not go alone, but we go in the strength of a God who calls us and sends us." [12:34] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "Moses standing there on the mountain, arguing with God while God is giving him, you know, reason after reason why God is calling him. And in essence, you know, Moses was kind of implying that God didn't know what he was getting into. God, you just don't know who you're getting into with me. You know, he, or God didn't, he didn't know what he was doing as he was calling Moses. But for every objection that Moses made, God had an answer." [10:43] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so there's those three signs. And they're not just magic tricks. There's symbolism here. There's symbolism here that Moses, I think, would have immediately understood. And the first one, when you go back to the snake, you know, the staff becoming a snake, the symbol for Pharaoh in Egypt is that of a snake. I mean, it's on their crown or diadem." [04:36] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so at this point in the story, God has about had it with Moses. And Scripture says he gets angry at Moses. And he says, Okay, then what about your brother Aaron? He's a great public speaker. And even now, I am sending him to meet you. But take your staff along so you can perform those signs with it." [08:07] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so we see in Moses here, you know, these excuses that sometimes, you know, we can put into modern context of how we make excuses. And I'm reminded of the words of that, that immortal theologian, Pogo, who says, we have met the enemy and he is us." [09:50] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so God gives Moses several signs. First, God asks Moses, you know, what's that in your hand, Moses? And it's his staff. It's a wooden stick, you know, shepherds use to sort of guide and direct sheep. They also, you know, he would have used it kind of as a walking cane to give better stability as he's walking through the desert terrain there, kind of like hiking poles, I guess." [02:03] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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