Foundations Week 6, Day 3

Scripture Read:  Exodus 2 - 3
Title: God Calls Moses
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  "But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?'"  Ex. 3:11

(E) Explain: The story of Moses is fascinating.  The second and third chapters of Exodus cover a large span of time.  Chapter 2 recounts the birth of Moses to his adult life where he grows up in Egypt, eventually flees for his life from  the country and ends up at Jethro, the Medianite Priest's home and marries his daughter Zipporah.  Chapter 3 looks more closely at God's calling of Moses to set the Israelites free from slavery.  In this account we see that Moses is a humble man whom God calls.  He is uncertain of his leadership skills, but comes to the realization that the one true God is with him and promises to be with him as Israel is set free.  Moses realized his leadership was not dependent on his skills but on God's faithfulness.

(A) Application:   In these passages we see that Moses is called by God to do a task that he could never do on his own.  I see two great qualities of leadership of Moses (there are more we will look at in prior chapters) that I/we can learn and apply to our lives.

1. Moses was called.: Calling is the most important qualities of any leader PERIOD. When I refer to leader I do not just mean a Pastor, executive, boss or other high calling positions, a leader is simply someone who has influence.  This could be a parent, associate, teacher, friend parent etc.  When Moses came upon the burning bush and heard the voice of God calling him, this was God's call to him.  The voice of God called him by name and gave him specific details as to what He had in store for Moses.  God tells Moses He is going to use him to deliver the Israelites out the hands of the Egyptians. Calling is essential to the work of God.  
   There is no place in this passage where God refers to Moses’ human qualities, confidence or character as a way to accomplish his will.  As God speaks to Moses we can see God uses the word “I” a lot.  God is the one who accomplishes success and as leaders we would do well to understand and believe this.  
   
2. Moses was dependent:  When you are called by God you must also acknowledge that you cannot lead on your own.  In fact, when you are called your response should be like Moses'. 
   When I received my calling to full-time ministry twenty five years ago my response was, “Um, God… are you sure you have the right man here?  I mean look at me, I am overweight, I am not a dynamic speaker, I don’t fit any mold for a Pastor and besides I have never been a leader, I am follower.   Maybe you were talking to someone next to me and I just overheard the conversation.”  It took time for me to come to the truth that God wasn’t calling me because of me and what I could accomplish, He was calling me in spite of me.  A called leader knows that success comes when they are completely dependent on God.
   

(R) Respond:  Lord, may I listen when you speak to me?  May I respond in humility, when you call me to go?  May I be completely and utterly dependent on you as you call me to lead.