He Equips the Called: Moses

God often calls people long before He gives them the tools necessary to succeed. People might have "gifts", such as the ability to speak in public or the ability to teach. But those gifts don't necessarily prepare you for the specific circumstances you will find yourself in. Scripture has many powerful examples of God's calling and equipping of individuals for great purposes.

We have already explored David a bit, so I thought I'd take a moment and highlight Moses. Next week we'll take a look at Gideon as well.

Moses is one of the most well-known men in scripture, and certainly the most important to the Hebrews and Hebrew culture. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, brought down the Ten Commandments, and eventually led his people to the edge of the promised land. But he wasn't totally prepared for his ministry when God called him.

Take a look at Exodus 4 and you will see his weakness. God called him to go to the Egyptians and free God's people. But he definitely wasn't ready...

He didn't think Egypt would listen.
Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?" ~Exodus 4:1 (NIV)

He didn't have any ability to speak.
Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." ~Exodus 4:10 (NIV)

He was terrified and wasn't even willing to do it.
But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." ~Exodus 4:13 (NIV)


So what did God do? God was angry, but he gave Moses the tools to succeed. Aaron, Moses' brother, could speak very well. God gave Moses reassurance that he could talk to Aaron and Aaron's words would move the Egyptians. He also showed Moses a set of miracles to prove His power.

Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it." ~Exodus 4:14-17 (NIV)


God will give you the tools. God will give you the means. God will equip you to serve in your calling. But you must answer the call!


So where was God when the plan went into action? Well let's walk through Exodus.

First God's miracles brought belief, confidence and faith to the Israelites.
Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped. ~Exodus 4:29-31 (NIV)


Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh, but instead of freeing the Israelites, Pharaoh made their work even harder. Angered, Moses argues with God and is reminded of God's greatness. Then God sent Moses back to tell Pharaoh, but Moses reminded God of his inability to speak. God showed him his provision, by raising up Aaron to be his voice.
But Moses said to the LORD, "Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?" 
Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country.~Exodus 6:30, 7:1-2 (NIV)

Moses and Aaron showed Pharaoh their great miracles.
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. ~Exodus 7:10-12 (NIV)


Then followed the great plagues that brought disaster to Egypt. But God kept to his promise. He gave Moses a speaker in his brother Aaron. He gave him miracles through his staff and signs to challenge Pharaoh. His faith was shaky at times, but God proved faithful to His word.