August 2nd, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The God Who Dialogues

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Opening Prayer

Lord, You are the God who dialogues with us; You’re the creator of humankind, the Lord of history; You have called me to follow Christ.

Read Exodus 4:1-17

[1] Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” [2] Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. [3] The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. [4] Then the LORD said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. [5] “This,” said the LORD, “is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers-the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob-has appeared to you.” [6] Then the LORD said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous, like snow. [7] “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh. [8] Then the LORD said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. [9] But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.” [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.” [11] 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? [12] Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” [13] But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” [14] 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. [15] 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. [16] He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. [17] But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“What is it that makes (certain people) leaders? First, leaders take the lead, initiating ideas and plans. Second, leaders move people to follow them by showing them consideration” (Leighton Ford).

Think Further

Moses stands out in history; he is often described as the capable and courageous leader who brought the Israelites out of slavery. Our readings yesterday and today, however, suggest a deliberate purpose to show Moses’ hesitancy and inadequacies! They emphasize that it is the Lord who is going to deliver, defeating Pharaoh, with Moses’ role that of spokesperson, both to the Israelites and to Pharaoh—and even there he needed help. Similar stories, with much variation, are repeated throughout the history of God’s people right through to today. The detailed dialogue can help us reflect on our tendency to focus on human resources, whether the abilities of others whom God has called or our own inabilities and excuses when we sense God calling us! The focusing drumbeat here is that the God who calls also enables.

After years of a stable life, Moses at first is hesitant (3:11). Does he understand, as Walter Brueggemann says, “immediately and intuitively that this summons from the God of promise and liberation is a threat to his own life”? God’s answer is to promise his presence (3:12), expanding with all-embracing statements of what “I” will do (3:15-22). Despite promises, Moses is afraid of rejection (1), to which God graciously answers with immediate signs, demonstrating his power (3-9). At Moses’ claim of unsuitability (10) comes the reminder that it is the Creator who is calling and who enables (11,12). Moses is still not convinced, so Aaron is introduced (13,14). What an amazing cameo of God’s call! Although the language shows increasing impatience, even anger, he does not compel or punish Moses. Rather the enabling presence of God who understands our strengths and weaknesses is seen as he meets Moses where he is by involving someone else, not instead of, but alongside. Moses is still to be the spokesperson (15,16).

Apply

Talk to God about your experience of his call at different times in your life and his enabling in your weakness. Thank him for that.

Closing prayer

Lord, help me frame my day around obedience to You. Keep my thoughts centered on You and replace my weakness with Your strength.

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