Unlikely: Moses
Moses is one of the most well-known and referenced people in the Bible, yet he was unlikely to be an influential person due to his upbringing and his own insecurities. Moses spent the first 40 years growing up in Pharaoh’s home, the next 40 years as a shepherd in Midian, and his final 40 years leading God’s people out of Egypt and to the edge of the Promised Land. Moses had many “unlikely’s” both externally and internally that had to be overcome.
4 Unlikely’s from the Outside:
1. His people were not the “right” people – He came from slavery (Exodus 1:8-14)
2. He was living in a very dangerous time – All the Hebrew boys were to be murdered or thrown in the Nile (Exodus 1:21-22)
3. He was unlikely to survive the Nile journey as an infant (Exodus 2:1)
4. He murdered a man – out of anger for his own people’s oppression (Exodus 2:12)
Moses flees to Midian and becomes a shepherd where he learns how to lead sheep. During this time, God remembers His people and moves to set them free from injustice. As God always does, He chooses to us people to carry out His plans. Moses had several excuses.
5 Unlikely’s from the Inside:
1. Who am I? – Moses makes the journey all about him (Exodus 3:9-11)
2. I don’t have the experience – God will give him the plan (Exodus 3:12-13)
3. They won’t believe me – God will authenticate Moses through signs and wonders (Exodus 4:1)
4. I don’t speak well – God will put the words in his mouth (Exodus 4:2)
5. Can you please just pick somebody else? – God finally gets angry with Moses (Exodus 4:11-13)
God chose Moses BECAUSE he was unlikely! He was an old man (80 at the time God called him), which meant that the story would be about God…not Moses. The excuses that Moses gave were disobedience. It comes down to whether or not we have faith and will choose to obey. It is ok to get outside our comfort zone when God asks us to do something.
Remember, there are no heroes in the Bible other than Jesus!
To Discuss Today:
1. Which of the excuses that Moses gave to God are ones that you have used in a situation? What was that situation and what was the outcome?
2. What is God asking you to do now that is out of your comfort zone?
3. Continue to memorize 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
