Excuses Excuses

When it comes to heavy hitters in the Bible, Moses is one of the top ten frequently named vessels of The Lord. The story of Moses is very well known, and though some details might not line up in everyone's theology, the significant aspects of Moses' life remain the same. The Lord chooses some fascinating people to do His' work. Liars, thieves, murderers, adulterers, men, and women who have failed at times can still hold the attention of The Lord. Isn't it amazing to know even when we fail Him, He loves us and He can still use us? Moses had a long list of excuses for why he was not the right man to carry out the mission of The Lord:

"Surely not me?"

Exodus 3:11 KJV

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

That's not amnesia; Moses felt extremely inadequate! He's saying, "Lord I'm not good enough." God's reply is simple, (V. 12) Certainly I will be with thee.

"I'm not ready."

Exodus 3:13 KJV

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

Here Moses is inquiring for more information, more question marks fill the scriptures, and Moses doesn't feel ready. He didn't think he would be able to answer everyone's questions. The Lord replies, I Am That I Am. (V. 14) Meaning we don't need to have all the answers. We need to trust Him and lean not on our own understanding. He is the Creator we are the creations, it's not our duty to figure it all out, but we do know The One who has it all figured out.

"What if I fail?"

Exodus 4:1 KJV

And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.

We see even more excuses! Moses was a very bold man bringing these arguments to the Lord. My knees would literally be knocking if The Lord was speaking to me through a burning bush. Here Moses says, "What if they don't listen to me?"

In verses 2-9 The Lord gives Moses a vivid object lesson on how to handle nonbelievers. People can argue with your opinion all day long, they cannot argue with your experience. That moment was so real for Moses; no one could have disproven the almighty power of The Lord.

"I have a speech impediment."

Exodus 4:10 KJV

And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

This one is my favorite; it seems pretty valid. Moses is saying, "How can I speak to the people if I can not even speak to the people?" In the very next verse, The Lord replies, (V. 11) Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? (V. 12) Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

It doesn't get much more straightforward than that. Moses and the Lord are basically playing excuse tennis at this point. Being a third-party reader from the outside, I want the scream. The audacity to question the Lord? (I mean we all question The Lord, but in Moses’ situation, and for this amount of time, I would have definitely just made an about face and packed my bags.) Oh I would have been beyond obedient! The Lord could have easily incinerated him and moved on the next shepherd; instead, He allows the conversation to continue.

"Someone else can do it better than me."

Exodus 4:13 KJV

And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

Moses fifth and final excuse was just to let someone else completely handle it. "Someone else will do it better than me." Immediately after this proclamation, the Bible states the anger of The Lord was kindled against Moses. The Lord equips Moses with more than enough to fulfill His plans. Moses was a funnel, a vessel for The Lord and made multiple excuses as to why he was not enough. The Lord combatted them all. It does not matter what we think our flaws are. The reasons why we are not good enough are the same reasons The Lord uses us! To show without a doubt that this is His Supernatural power, flowing through a natural vessel to fulfill our calling. The next time our flesh conjures up an excuse as to why you are inadequate, remind yourself that you are an intricately crafted creation and The Lord selects your unique abilities to manifest His will.