Form over function
This week's verses are on Exodus 4:10-16:
These verses describe when God was calling Moses into ministry. God had a specific call to a specific man to do specific things, and yet Moses ended up talking him out of it. Bringing Aaron on board to be his spokesperson complicated things unnecessarily, and Aaron's charismatic speaking abilities later led the Israelites into sin when he rallied everyone to build and worship the golden calf.
Do you ever have a conversation with someone, and no matter what you say, it seems like they're having a different conversation than you? It could be about politics, or about a relationship, or whatever. One of you is trying to communicate and the other is just hearing what he or she wants to hear.
The conversation Moses is having with God is a great example of someone having a different conversation than the one everyone else is having. God is telling Moses how he will give him the ability to do what he is being asked to do, because he is God, the God who invented speech, and mouths, and ears, the God who can do anything, and Moses keeps talking about his weakness. God is speaking from the reality of heaven, and Moses is arguing from his flesh. Instead of trusting in divine power, he worries about putting on a good show.
We find this struggle going on in our own lives, because we too are made of flesh. God asks us to do things like share our faith, and we say things like "I don't know what to say. Maybe if I just bring people to church and let someone eloquent talk to them?" He asks us to pray, and we read prayers out of a book someone else has written. He asks us to worship, and we sing along with songs someone else is playing. He tells us to seek him and we go to a lecture once a week or buy a book and a study guide. Why do we try to delegate our devotion like Moses did?
Most likely we know our weakness and we assume God's requests are like all of the thousands of things we are asked to do and fail at in our lives. They are not. When God asks us to follow him, he has already made the way. It's not the same as if our boss is asking us to do something, or our parents, or a friend. It is God.
How much time and money do we waste trying to make sure things are done up all fine and pretty, that best practices are being followed, that focus groups have been consulted, that trends are being respected, that tradition is being honored, that the correct formulae are being recited, and so on, when all God asked is for us to follow in simple terms? Do we need a professional staff for that? Moses thought he did and God honored that expectation, to his loss.
If God is asking you to do something, and you're arguing with him, consider that you may be having a different conversation than him. Consider his viewpoint, not your objections. He made everything, so he knows how to make it do what he wants. God was angry when Moses kept telling him in fleshy human terms how his plan was impossible. Moses ultimately made trouble for everyone because he was more focused on the human form than on fulfilling his divine function. Let's not make the same mistake.
Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not an eloquent man, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
The Lord said to him, “Who gave a mouth to man, or who makes a person mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? So now go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you must say.”
But Moses said, “O my Lord, please send anyone else whom you wish to send!”
Then the Lord became angry with Moses, and he said, “What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak very well. Moreover, he is coming to meet you, and when he sees you he will be glad in his heart.
“So you are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And as for me, I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you both what you must do. He will speak for you to the people, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were his God.
These verses describe when God was calling Moses into ministry. God had a specific call to a specific man to do specific things, and yet Moses ended up talking him out of it. Bringing Aaron on board to be his spokesperson complicated things unnecessarily, and Aaron's charismatic speaking abilities later led the Israelites into sin when he rallied everyone to build and worship the golden calf.
Do you ever have a conversation with someone, and no matter what you say, it seems like they're having a different conversation than you? It could be about politics, or about a relationship, or whatever. One of you is trying to communicate and the other is just hearing what he or she wants to hear.
The conversation Moses is having with God is a great example of someone having a different conversation than the one everyone else is having. God is telling Moses how he will give him the ability to do what he is being asked to do, because he is God, the God who invented speech, and mouths, and ears, the God who can do anything, and Moses keeps talking about his weakness. God is speaking from the reality of heaven, and Moses is arguing from his flesh. Instead of trusting in divine power, he worries about putting on a good show.
We find this struggle going on in our own lives, because we too are made of flesh. God asks us to do things like share our faith, and we say things like "I don't know what to say. Maybe if I just bring people to church and let someone eloquent talk to them?" He asks us to pray, and we read prayers out of a book someone else has written. He asks us to worship, and we sing along with songs someone else is playing. He tells us to seek him and we go to a lecture once a week or buy a book and a study guide. Why do we try to delegate our devotion like Moses did?
Most likely we know our weakness and we assume God's requests are like all of the thousands of things we are asked to do and fail at in our lives. They are not. When God asks us to follow him, he has already made the way. It's not the same as if our boss is asking us to do something, or our parents, or a friend. It is God.
How much time and money do we waste trying to make sure things are done up all fine and pretty, that best practices are being followed, that focus groups have been consulted, that trends are being respected, that tradition is being honored, that the correct formulae are being recited, and so on, when all God asked is for us to follow in simple terms? Do we need a professional staff for that? Moses thought he did and God honored that expectation, to his loss.
If God is asking you to do something, and you're arguing with him, consider that you may be having a different conversation than him. Consider his viewpoint, not your objections. He made everything, so he knows how to make it do what he wants. God was angry when Moses kept telling him in fleshy human terms how his plan was impossible. Moses ultimately made trouble for everyone because he was more focused on the human form than on fulfilling his divine function. Let's not make the same mistake.
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