Wednesday: Four Excuses
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 9th of July 2025
Read Exodus 4:1-17. What set of signs did God give to Moses to perform in order to strengthen his position as God’s messenger?
Moses again tried to excuse himself from the task God asked of him (see Exodus 3:11).
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He did not want to go to Egypt and confront Pharaoh. After all, he had already failed when he previously tried, on his own, to help the Hebrews. Also, his own people didn’t believe in or accept him as their leader. That’s why he formulated a third objection: “ ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to me?’ ” (Exodus 4:1, NIV). This was not a question to learn something new; it was an attempt to say no to the responsibility that God asked him to undertake.
Two miraculous signs are given to Moses to perform before the elders of Israel and, later, before Pharaoh: (1) his staff turning into a snake and then back into a staff, and (2) his hand becoming leprous but then instantly healed. Both miracles should convince the elders that God is at work for them. But if not, the third miracle, that of turning water into blood, was added (Exodus 4:8-9).
Although God gave Moses these mighty wonders, he still expresses another excuse, the fourth: he is not a good speaker.
Read Exodus 4:10-18. How does the Lord respond to Moses, and what lessons can we take from that for ourselves, in whatever situation we believe God calls us to?
This set of four excuses shows Moses’ reluctance to follow God’s call. With “reasonable” objections, he masks his unwillingness to go. The first three excuses are in the form of questions: (1) Who am I? (2) Who are You? and (3) What if they do not believe me? And the fourth objection is (4) the statement: “I am not eloquent.” God reacted to all of them and brought a powerful solution. To these excuses God presents many uplifting promises.
Then Moses delivers his fifth and final plea and directly asks: “ ‘O my Lord, please send someone else’ ” (Exodus 4:13, NRSV). In response, God tells him that He is already sending his brother, Aaron, to meet him for support. Finally, Moses silently concedes and asks Jethro for his blessing before departing for Egypt.
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The story of Moses began in crisis as he was born under threat, hidden in a basket, and drawn out of the water by God’s providence. Even in chaos, God’s hand is at work. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…” (Genesis 50:20).
Interestingly as Moses grows his story keeps changing and becomes one wonderful one with numerous lessons as seen in the words of D.L. Moody who says “Moses spent his first forty years thinking he was somebody, his second forty years finding out he was nobody, and his final forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody.”
Fast foward the Israelites were groaning under Pharaoh, and all we ask is where was God is their/our pain. We cry out when disease steals life, when relationships crumble, marriages end and when evil seems to going unchecked. “Where are You, God, when it hurts this much?” But just as God heard Israel’s cries, He hears ours too. “I have surely seen the affliction of my people... and have heard their cry” (Exodus 3:7). God’s silence doesn't mean He is absence.
God always keeps His promises. He raised up Moses to deliver Israel. In the fullness of time, He sent Jesus to save the world. And in His perfect timing, He will send Christ again to restore all things. Until then, we wait in hope—knowing the God who rescued a baby from a river can still rescue us today.