As far as ancient Egypt was concerned, they had an immigration problem. Many years previously, the Israelites had been allowed to settle in Egypt, during the time when Joseph was second in command to the Pharaoh. Over the years, these immigrants had thrived – and by the start of the book of Exodus, the Egyptians were getting worried. They had never really taken to the Israelites – and were worried that, should an enemy attack, the Israelites would ally themselves against Egypt.
So the Egyptians decided on a policy of dehumanising the Israelites, forcing them into slavery. And when Israel continued to multiply, they upped the ante, demanding that all newborn Israelite boys be slaughtered at birth. The policy was utterly evil and devastating.
Imagine being Moses – one of the survivors of this heartless attempt at genocide. He was, miraculously, rescued by the Egyptian king’s daughter, and nursed through his early years by his own mother. On one level, he was saved – on another… how confusing life must have been. He was stolen from his real family, his identity seemingly rewritten.
And then, one day, Moses saw an Egyptian beating up one of his fellow Hebrews. And Moses murdered the Egyptian. I wonder if Moses saw himself as a sort of Zorro figure: hiding among the aristocracy whilst bringing justice for those they oppressed? He thought he had kept his revenge quiet – but soon found out that he had been seen. Petrified, Moses ran. Any thoughts of being his people’s rescuer were dashed.
Until the day when God called Moses at the burning (but not burning up!) bush. God told Moses that he had come to rescue Israel from the Israelites, and that He was sending Moses to Pharaoh to lead His people Israel out of Egypt.
Moses’ response? But I can’t do that! Who am I? What will I say if they ask me about you? And what if they think I’m making all this up? And I’m not very good with words – never have been, and you having spoken to me hasn’t changed that. I get my words all mixed up. I… I… I can’t. Please send someone else.
As far as Moses was concerned, he was the worst possible choice to be sent to rescue Israel. He wasn’t a leader; he was a loser. He was a nobody. He was nothing.
But for each of Moses’ buts, God had an answer. Moses wasn’t being sent in his own strength – Moses was being sent by God, and God would be at work through Moses.
Over the month of January, we focused on the fact that we are powerless to save ourselves. Even at our best, we mess up. Moses messed up when he took vengeance into his own hands. The truth is, I can’t save myself, let alone anyone else.
If that was the end of the story, how tragic a story it would be. But it is not the end of the story. Our weakness doesn’t count us out – it can be, if we let God, the very thing that God uses to show His strength.
I can’t solve the world’s problems, but God can. I can’t defeat death, but Jesus has and will. No matter what happens, I am not alone.
I can’t – but Jesus can.
To read: Exodus 3-4
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