Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sovereign in Sin

Exodus 4 contains one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

Moses has encountered the burning bush. He's been commissioned to confront the king of Egypt, given the Divine Name, and equipped with signs that prove his authority. How does he respond?
(10) Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."

Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.
After all Moses has been given, after meeting God Himself, all he can say is, "Can't you pick someone else?"

When the Lord sees Moses' lack of faith, his fear, He is justifiably angry. But "Aaron ... is already on his way."

I'm always encouraged by the reminder that God may be disappointed or even angered by our sin, lack of belief, or failure, but He is never taken by surprise. I'm also encouraged by the reminder that the success of God's Kingdom work does not depend on me.