God was giving Moses a great privilege is being chosen to carry such a message to His people, but sad to say Moses did not want to go. I wonder why? Perhaps we can answer by asking a question. Why is it that we who are saved are so slow to tell others what the Lord has done for us? Why do we often hold back rather than tell our friends about what the Lord is willing to do for them? We know only too well that the world around us is opposed to God and Christ. They do not want that blessed One whom they once rejected and nailed to a tree, nor do they want the Father who sent Him.
God Reveals Himself
Moses knew he could not go in his own strength, and neither can we. He said, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh?” (ch. 3:11). It is a good thing when we are willing to admit our own total weakness. We will then hear those assuring words which the Lord spoke to Moses, “Certainly I will be with thee” (ch. 3:12). Moses did not have to go alone, and neither do we. However, Moses was still unwilling in spite of God’s promise, and he began to raise questions. How patiently and graciously God answered all Moses’s questions, telling him even more of what He was going to do for His people. He told Moses that His Name was I AM. He is the ever-existing One and He had not forgotten the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob long before. The Jehovah mentioned in the Old Testament continued to reveal Himself in the New Testament (Hebrews 1:22Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2)). We find the Lord Jesus using the name of I AM on more than one occasion. When He did so in the garden of Gethsemane, and allowed a little ray of His glory to shine out, all His enemies went backward and fell to the ground (John 18:4-64Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. (John 18:4‑6)).
Endurance and Its Result
Not only did God say that He was going to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt, but He even assured Moses that the elders of the people would hearken to His voice. God is the disposer of the hearts of men. We know too, that while many refuse to listen to the message of God’s grace, there will always be some fruit, for His Word will not return to Him void. God also warned Moses that Pharaoh was not going to be willing to let the people go. God tells us too of the opposition and even persecution we will have to endure for His Name’s sake. He speaks of it as something given to us — a privilege granted us. “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Phil. 1:2929For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)).
In the end, however, God was going to take His people out of it all, and they were to be repaid for all they endured. Today we may see the ungodly prospering, and gathering together their jewels of gold and raiment, but “the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof” (Psa. 24:11<<A Psalm of David.>> The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1)). Some day He will take possession of it all, and then we who belong to Him will share it all with Him as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)). We can gladly wait for that day, instead of trying to get things together here, only to leave them all behind when the Lord calls us to His home above. The children of Israel got their jewels of gold and raiment when the Lord brought them out of Egypt.
Further Meditation
1. Why did the soldiers in the garden of Gethsemane fall backwards?
2. What else does Romans 8 say about suffering and deliverance?
3. If you are considering the subject of suffering you would probably find the pamphlet, Joy in Suffering, by R. Elliott to be a real encouragement.