After Moses married Zipporah, he became a
shepherd for his father-in-law, Jethro. Forty years
later, when Moses was 80 years old, he led his
flock near a particular mountain.
Suddenly, off in the distance, he saw that a
bush was on fire, but it wasn’t being consumed.
He went closer so he could see it better. When
he was near, God called to him from out of the
bush. “Moses, Moses.”
He stepped back. “Yes, I’m here.”
“Don’t come any closer. Take off your shoes.
You’re standing on holy ground.”
As Moses took off his sandals, the Lord
said, “I’m the God of your fathers – the God
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob.” Moses covered his face because he was
afraid to look at God.
“My people are suffering in the land of
Egypt. It’s time to deliver them out of their
slavery. I’ve selected you to lead them back to
the land of Canaan. Therefore, go back to Egypt
and talk to Pharaoh.
“Oh Lord, not me! I’m not the right one to lead
the Israelites out of Egypt. I’m not able to talk to
Pharaoh.”
God was patient with Moses. “I’ll be with
you. When you think of this mountain, you’ll
remember that I sent you. Go to Egypt and bring
my people back here to worship.”
Moses said, “But if I stand before the people
and say, ‘the God of your fathers has sent me to
you,’ they’ll say, ‘What God? What’s his name?’
What should I tell them?”
God said, “I Am Who I Am! Tell them ‘I AM’
sent you to them. I am the God of Abraham. I am
the God of Isaac. I am the God of Jacob.
“The people will listen to you, but Pharaoh
won’t. Therefore I’ll strike him with a hard blow.
When I’m done, he’ll finally let my people go.”
Moses still hesitated. So God said to him,
“What’s in your hand?”
“Oh … it’s a shepherd’s staff.”
“Throw it on the ground.”
He threw it on the ground and it became
a poisonous snake! Moses jumped back in
fear. Then God said, “Reach out and pick up
the snake by the tail.” Moses grabbed the tail,
and instantly the snake once again became a
shepherd’s staff.
God said, “Put your hand inside your shirt.”
Moses did, and when he pulled it out it was
covered with leprosy. “Put your hand back in
your shirt.” He did, and when he pulled it out, the
leprosy was gone.
God said, “Show the people these signs and
they’ll believe you.”
“Oh, Lord, I’ve never been able to talk well. I
have a speech problem.”
“Moses, who made your mouth? I’m the one
who causes a person to be deaf, mute, blind or
seeing! Go, and do as I say. I’ll help you talk, and
teach you what you’re to say.”
Moses bowed his head. “Lord, I just don’t
want to go. Please send someone else.”
With this, the Lord became angry. “Your
brother Aaron is coming to meet you. He speaks
fluently. Take him and go to Egypt!”
So Moses went to Jethro and asked
permission to return to Egypt.
© God Child