Ash makes the assertion that we cannot have a good understanding of the bible unless we have a deep appreciation of Moses and the Exodus event. After playing a little mind exercise I begin to understand why. The reader is asked to imagine himself (very detailed) as a Hebrew slave suffering under the brutality of the Egyptions. We are asked to imagine crying out to God for help, and imagine hearing of a man named Moses living in the wilderness - a man who God has called to help - but for 5 reasons, Moses declines God's order.
Moses' 5 excuses (Exodus 3:1-4:17)
Excuse one: Who do You think I am? (Exodus 3:1-12)
Excuse two: Who are you really Lord? (Exodus 3:13-22)
Excuse three: What will people think? (Exodus 4:1-9)
Excuse four: What skills do I really have for this? (Exodus 4:10-12)
Excuse five: Surely someone else can do this? (Exodus 4:13-17)
It was at excuse five that the text says "The anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses." I encourage everyone to read this Exodus account for themselves, because I am sure that we will see ourselves in Moses - in this very human response to God. Moses came up with five excuses very quickly. We can all relate to atleast one of them. And unfortunately, most of us require only one to legitimise watching from the sidelines.
Critical Questions:
What does this story reveal about what Moses was like?
This story reveals a man who was not too unlike myself. A man who thinks and feels unacceptable to God. A man who allows issues of his past shame him from stepping into the role that God had called him to (Moses had killed a man). I can relate to everyone of MOses excuses, because I have used every one of them myself. We view Moses as a hero in the biblical story, but his beginning is not too unlike our own.
What does this story reveal about what God is like?
This story reveals to me a God who is passionate for all of his children. What would have looked like a series of coincidences in MOses life, was infact (as it appears to me) a series of divine appointments. being raised in the family of Pharoa - having inside access. Being a jew. If anyone was ready for the role of liberating the Jews from oppression, surely it was Moses. God had led Moses to this moment through his whole life. It shows me that God does have a plan, and when he asks us to do something, at times - we are the only person who can do it. There is no one else. We are the unique person that God has groomed and chosen to fullfil my unique mission on earth. If I don't do it, it is a slap in the face to God, and a denial of my reason for existence. God cares enough about His children to shape and mould individuals for specific purposes.
What is the nature of poverty in this story?
I see poverty in this story as being a lifetime of hopelessness and helplessness. The Israelites were trapped - outnumbered and surrounded. They were crushed - physically and spiritually. Their Egyption captors held them as objects. Simply objects to do the dangerous work and build the Egyption empire. After full days of back-breaking labour under the whip, they would come home, see their children already asleep and feel utter dispair and hopelessness in the knowledge that their children are destined for the same future as them.
In todays world, this is still existent. Slaves are still existent. Sex slaves, child-labor, and also some slavery that is not as obvious - minimum wage workers in the US, China, South-America, etc. Complete hopelessness. They can just live on a prayer. They cried out to God for help. God heard and sent Moses.
How does God respond to the excuses Moses gives not to get involved helping liberate his people facing misery?
To answer this question, I will take an extract from the book...
After Moses fifth excuse, the anger of the Lord boiled over, and...
"This was to have long-term, tangible consequences for Moses, not least that he would miss out on entering the land promised to his people once they were freed from slavery. The Lord was not some kind of super machine to be swithed on and off. Rather, the Lord reveals a deep passion, expressing deep feelings about his people and Moses detachment. The Lord was deeply hurt, and his frustration boild over. Do anything, this text seems to say, but don't take God's patience for granted.
Still angry, the Lord worked out a solution with Moses. "What of your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know that he can sepak fluently... he shall serve as a mouth for you and you shall serve as God for him... The Lord arranged for Aaron to partner with Moses... it is a good example of the way God can ring people together, contributing strengths to others' weakenesses. Aaron could speak well, and Moses felt he needed this." (pp 28)
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