Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 4:10-12 (New Living Translation)

10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

This is part of the (hi)story of God sending Moses to Egypt to bring the people out of captivity and to the land promised to them. Moses doesn’t want to go back to Egypt. Moses can foresee the stress and angst all this will bring to his life.

Excuse #1: I’m not a good speaker.

God replies: Are you kidding me Moses? I am the Creator. I decide who is a good speaker or a good listener or who notices what they see and who jumps high and runs fast and is good at math and…

Sometimes I need little reminders and sometimes I need GREAT BIG REMINDERS of the power and presence of God. “God, I am not the right person to do this.” How silly is that? God says go; God says do, and God says, “I have provided.”

Any further questions?

Well, when I read the above verses, I guess I have to stop making excuses and asking silly questions. God provides. Sometimes God nudges me along like God nudged Moses along. Sometimes God even provides someone to stand next to me just as God provided Aaron to stand next to Moses. Aaron was the brother of Moses. Oh, so that’s why God gave Moses a little brother. Is that why God gave me … (long, long list of things God gave me).