Lesson 2: Excuses, Excuses
Exodus 3, 4
Even though Moses felt inadequate to the task, he eventually responded positively to the call to become God’s deliverer for the Hebrews in Egyptian captivity. Although Moses initially balked when God called him, he discovered that God could use him if he would make himself available.
Read 3:1-10
1. What drew Moses to the burning bush? _________________________________________
2. What did God tell Moses to do? _______________________________________________
3. How did God identify himself to Moses? Why is this lineage important? _______________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. What did Moses do after God had identified himself? _______________________________.
What does this tell us about our relationship and our attitude toward worshipping God?
__________________________________________________________________________
5. How did God describe the situation he was calling Moses to enter? (3:7-10) _____________
__________________________________________________________________________
Read 3: 11-15
6. What was Moses response to God? ______________________________________________
7. Can you relate to Moses feelings? _______________________________________________
8. What was the underlying reason for Moses’ response? _______________________________
9. How is Moses’ question in 3:13 like the first sin of the people Malachi mentioned?
_____________________________________________________________________________
10. What is the significance of God’s answer that “I AM WHO I AM?”
______________________________________________________________________________
Read 3:16-20
11. What instructions did God give Moses for informing the people of his decision?
______________________________________________________________________________
12. What was God’s caution to Moses about the expected attitude of Pharaoh?
______________________________________________________________________________
Read 3:21-22
13. Why do you think God told Moses about how the Egyptians would feel about their departure? _________________________________________________________________
14. God told Moses that the Hebrews would “plunder” their Egyptian neighbors. How do you reconcile that statement with the biblical admonition against stealing? ___________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Read 4:1-17
15. What was the next excuse given by Moses? (4:1) ___________________________________
16. What were the three signs given by God to Moses? ______________________________________
17. What was the next excuse given by Moses? (4:10) _______________________________________
18. Have you ever doubted your abilities to serve God? How do you overcome your doubts?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
19. What was God’s response to Moses’ lack of confidence in his speaking ability? ________________
20. What was Moses final plea to God to get him out of this? __________________________________
21. Have you ever had the attitude, “Please God, send someone else!”? ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬__________________________
22. How do we change this attitude? ______________________________________________________
23. What was God’s final concession to Moses? _____________________________________________
This lesson today teaches us many useful things as we progress in our aim of being active disciples n the service of God. First, we should know that God makes himself known. The Bible is replete with examples of God appearing to those he has called and appearing in many different forms. To Moses, it was a burning bush, to Jacob it was a dream, and to Paul, it was a blinding light. God makes himself known.
God uses imperfect individuals, like Moses, to carry out his kingdom work. Moses began with an imperfect understanding of God, but God corrected his understanding. Moses, who became the great spokes-person for God, was not able to speak well. The brave Moses who was fearful, stood valiantly before the great Pharaoh to demand he release God’s children. God chose to use a limited, marred human being to carry out an assignment with world-changing dimensions for him. So God does today, using people who feel themselves inadequate to the task, with limited abilities and with timid spirits to carry out his great work.