Exodus 3:18a “The elders of Israel will listen to you….
This is quite the elaborate plan to free the Israelites. It involves both Moses and God acting in concert to bring about freedom. I’m not at all surprised that Moses, in Exodus 4, balks and says, essentially, “But God…”
Exodus 3:18b …Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God.’
But God, the King of all creation, knows what we can do and what we can do through Him, with Him, and in Him. He knows Moses’s fears and doubts. He even allows Moses a crutch that will end up causing him trouble, but He knows that He can use Moses in a powerful way, even if Moses doesn’t yet believe it.
Exodus 3:19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.
Lord, Forgive me when I balk at what you are asking of me. Forgive me when I allow my doubts and fears to hinder my saying yes to You. Turn my “But God…” excuses into Your “Because of God…” realities. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 3:20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.
Have a blessed day.