“Responding To God’s Call!”

“Responding To God’s Call!”(Ex.3:1-12).
The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, overflowing with milk and honey – the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites…And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.’ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain.'”
Under the harsh treatment of the slave drivers in the American plantations the slaves often found solace in this negroe spiritual: “Come down, come down. My LORD is writing all the time. He sees what you do, and hears what you say. My LORD is writing all the time…”
The call and commission of Moses in the burning Bush marks the beginning of Liberation theology.
God is always on the side of the oppressed. He takes his time to see and hear the cry of the oppressed until it gets to the point he says, “Now is my time to intervene!”
One would have expected the omnipotent and benevolent God to just go up to Pharaoh and say, “Hey, man, I made you what you are. It’s time you let my people go!” But he didn’t do that. Rather, he chose a shepherd and a stammerer for that matter.
Moses didn’t see himself being transformed from a shepherd into a bold and courageous liberator. God, however, gave him the assurance: “I will be with you.”
Yes, my friend, when God appoints, he anoints and equips. We are tools in God’s hand. He acts through human agencies to achieve his goals.
Moses may have considered that he was not worthy to stand before Pharaoh, but he forgot that he was brought up in Pharaoh’s palace, named and raised by a princess. Besides, he had shown signs of being a liberator when he killed the Egyptian who was overpowering an Israelite in physical combat.
On the other hand, he had learned the dynamics of priesthood and worship from his father-in-law Jethro, who was a priest of Midian.
God prepares us adequately before the final commission.
Moses was commissioned to liberate the Israelites for a purpose: To worship God on his holy mountain.
Liberation does not come easy. It took forty years of desert wanderings, fighting wars to gain the promised land overflowing with milk and honey.
Moses may have hesitated when God told him what he wanted him to do. That also was a mark of humility by not seeing himself fit to stand before Pharaoh. Even so, he had already made himself available to be used by God when he answered God, “Here I am.” And on his part, God gave him the assurance, “I will be with you. “
My friend, do not shy away from God’s call! Make yourself available for the specific assignment he has for you as an individual. And be confident because he has assured you, “I will be with you!”
Sunday prayer: LORD, here I am. Take me, send me and go with me. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
19/01/2025.