I Can't Do This Job, God

By Mary Vee


Exodus 4:9-25

A crisp breeze swept across my back pulling my attention away from the burning bush. How could I do this job? God was asking me, a nothing in Pharaoh's household, a murderer, a runaway, a shepherd in a foreign land. Who am I? No, I knew I couldn't do the job. I am only Moses.

I studied my staff. Only a minute ago God turned it into a serpent. I must admit, it scared me. Just thinking about it sends chills up my neck. Sconds later he turned the serpent back into my staff. Oh, yes, I can't forget what God did to my hand. He turned my whole hand into a complete case of leprosy. One moment it looked white, scaly, bad enough to make me look away. Oddly enough, it didn't hurt. The nerves had been destroyed by the disease, what was left of my hand wouldn't move. In the next instant, God healed my hand back to the way it was.

God is powerful. He can do anything. He needed to pick someone who could do this job for Him. He needed someone great and powerful. He shouldn't pick me. I can't put two sentences together. All the tutors in Pharaoh's house couldn't fix my speech problems. Maybe God didn't understand. I needed to tell Him. "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor now. I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."

God didn't wait a second before answering. "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you should say."

He still wanted me go. I'd wreck everything. I'd stand before Pharaoh and not think of the right words. No. God needed someone who could do the job right. "O my Lord, please send anyone else but me to do this job."

I realized, at that moment, I made God angry. The flames burned stronger in the bush and the heat pushed toward me. I fell toward the ground as God spoke. "Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know he can speak well. Watch for him. He is coming to visit you.

"Your brother will be happy when he sees you. Tell him all that I have told you. I will give you the words to say and teach you what needs to be done. You will teach Him. He will be your spokesman to the people. I will be with you both as you speak to My people in Egypt. You will take your rod and show them I have sent you."

That was it. God said no more to me that night.

I grabbed my sandals and slipped them on before returning to the flock. The stars stood out that night. Blinking in a black sky. After counting the sheep and leaning back on a rock, I couldn't help but think about God's words. I didn't mean to make Him angry.

The more I thought about the idea of going on an adventure back to Egypt, the better the idea sounded. God wanted me to lead His people out of Egypt. He said He would teach me what to do, tell me what to say, give me signs to show the people, and be with me every step of the way. He even said Aaron could stand by my side.

I looked back up at the stars and nodded. "OK God. I will go."
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What did God want Moses to do?

Why didn't Moses think he could do the job?

What did Moses decide?

Think of a time God has helped you do something difficult. Did you thank God for your meal in front of your friends, did you choose to not go along with your friends when they did something bad, did you tell someone about Christ?

God told Moses He would be with Him. When God asks us to do a task, He will stay with us and help. King David wrote in Psalms God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore I will not fear.