
Lesson 2: The Burning Bush
2.4 Four Excuses
Four Excuses β and God’s Patient Calling
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Introduction
When God calls, we often expect enthusiasm, vision, and a clear plan. But in reality, the opposite is often true: fear, doubt, and excuses. Even great heroes of faith, like Moses, stood at that exact crossroads.
Exodus chapter 4 doesnβt show us the triumphant leader of Israelβit presents a hesitant, cautious, almost resistant man who meets Godβs call with four excuses and finally says, βPlease send someone else.β
Yet this very chapter offers comfort to all who hesitate. It shows how God responds to our doubts with patience, clarity, and concrete help. At the same time, it warns: Delayed obedience is often hidden disobedience.
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Bible Study: Exodus 4:1β17 β The Call and Mosesβ Excuses
Verse 1 β The Third Excuse: “What if they do not believe me?”
After already hesitating in chapter 3 (βWho am I?β / βWho are You?β), Moses now asks another questionβone that sounds very human:
“They wonβt believe me.”
What appears to be a concern about credibility is, in truth, a defensive excuse. Moses knows his past in Egypt is not honorable (see Ex. 2:14). He assumes no one will take him seriously. But God does not respond with rebukeβHe gives Moses signs, visible proofs of divine authority.
Verses 2β9 β Godβs Three Signs
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The Staff Turns into a Snake (vv. 2β4):
The shepherdβs staffβsymbol of authorityβbecomes a serpent, a terrifying creature. God tells Moses to grab it by the tail (!), which would normally be dangerous.
Obeying Godβs command overcomes fear. -
The Leprous Hand (vv. 6β7):
Moses places his hand into his cloakβit becomes diseased, then healed.
God has power over disease and healing. -
Water into Blood (vv. 8β9):
Nile water becomes bloodβa sign of judgment, later seen in the plagues.
Lack of faith has consequences.
These signs are not random. They reveal Godβs power over nature, illness, and human authority, and theyβre meant to strengthen Mosesβ courage to obey.
Verses 10β12 β The Fourth Excuse: “Iβm not a good speaker.”
Moses now speaks of his weakness:
βI am slow of speech and tongue.β
This may refer to an actual speech issueβor simply low self-confidence. God responds with a rhetorical question:
βWho gave human beings their mouths?β
He points to His creative authorityβHe knows Moses and still chooses him.
Verses 13β17 β “Please send someone else.”
Moses now drops the questions. He directly resists God’s call:
βO Lord, please send someone else.β
At this point, βthe Lordβs anger burned.β Yet even then, God doesnβt abandon MosesβHe offers help:
βAaron your brother can speak. I will be with your mouth and with his.β
Itβs a compromiseβbut also a limitation. Later, Aaron will be the one to build the golden calf. Whether Aaron was part of Godβs original plan is unclearβbut God can still work through imperfect paths to fulfill His purpose.
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Answers to the Questions
Question 1: What signs did God give Moses to confirm his calling?
God gave Moses three signs:
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Staff to snake β God’s authority over danger.
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Leprous hand healed β Symbol of cleansing and restoration.
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Water to blood β A sign of judgment and divine seriousness.
These signs had a double purpose:
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To strengthen Moses’ own trust.
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To prove to the people that God was speaking through him.
God didnβt reject Moses’ doubtsβHe gave proof. But the signs alone didnβt produce obedience. That would require surrender.
Question 2: What did God say in response to Moses’ final excuse, and what do we learn from it?
God answers firmly:
βI will be with your mouth and teach you what to say.β
Later: βAaron will speak for you.β
But even God’s patience has limits. His anger burnsβnot because Moses is weak, but because he refuses to trust. God seeks availability, not perfection.
Lessons for us:
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God doesnβt call us because weβre readyβHe calls to make us ready.
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Excuses block blessingβor lead to detours.
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God provides helpβbut we must choose obedience.
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Spiritual Principles
God calls us despite our weaknessesβnot because of our strengths.
Excuses protect us temporarilyβbut hinder Godβs work through us.
Godβs patience is greatβbut not infinite.
Obedience is the beginning of miracles.
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Application for Daily Life
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Afraid to pray out loud? God will guide your mouth.
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Feel unworthy to talk about Jesus? He called you, not you yourself.
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Waiting to βfeel readyβ? Moses wasnβt ready eitherβbut he went.
What is your staffβthe symbol of what you have? Are you willing to surrender it, even if God uses it in surprising ways?
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Conclusion
God doesnβt ignore our excusesβbut He doesnβt let them stop His calling either. Moses was given signs, help, and Aaron. But the turning point came only when Moses yielded and went.
Godβs call doesnβt wait forever. He calls today.
The question is: What will you do with your βHere I amβ?
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Thought of the Day
God doesn’t call you because you’re capable.
He calls you because He wants to do something greater through you.
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Illustration β The Calling
Chapter 1 β The Invitation
It was a rainy Tuesday evening when Jonas first read the email. Subject: “Mentoring Program β Your Contribution Matters.”
The sender was Pastor Ralf, an old acquaintance who had once led his confirmation class. Jonas had ignored the message for three daysβbut now he opened it:
βDear Jonas,
Iβve had you on my heart in prayer. Weβre looking for someone to guide young men in our mentoring program. Itβs not about giving speechesβbut about being present, honest, and available. I believe God has prepared you. Please let me know by Friday.
Warmly, Ralf.β
Jonas leaned back and shut the laptop, as if the device had said something offensive.
Chapter 2 β The Memories
Jonas was 34. An interior designer. Detail-focused, calm, introverted. People liked himβfrom a distance. He was dependable, but never loud.
He remembered his last attempt at spiritual leadership. At 23, heβd tried giving a devotional in his old church youth group. Heβd stammered. Lost his place. The room had gone silentβnot reverent, just awkward. He never tried again.
βIβm not someone who stands at the front.β
Heβd repeated that to himself for years.
Chapter 3 β The Excuses
On Wednesday, he wrote a reply. Deleted it. Wrote again. Deleted it again.
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βIβm working on a big project right now.β β True, but not unmanageable.
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βIβm not a public speaker.β β Probably accurate. But was that really the point?
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βI canβt relate to troubled teens. Iβm not a counselor.β β Another shield.
That night, Jonas dreamed. He saw a boy, maybe 16, sitting in a dark hallway with his head down.
Then a voice said:
βHeβs waiting for someone who listens. And youβre sitting in front of the TV.β
He woke up drenched in sweat.
Chapter 4 β Godβs Response
On Thursday, Jonas opened his Bibleβrandomly.
He landed on Exodus 4. The words struck him:
βI am slow of speech and tongue.β
βWho made manβs mouth?β
βI will be with your mouth.β
His throat tightened. This is no coincidence, he thought.
And then he read the line that changed everything:
βLord, please send someone else.β
Not out of rebellionβbut because he saw himself too clearly.
He saw himself in Mosesβand it frightened him.
Chapter 5 β The Step
On Friday, he replied:
βRalf, Iβm scared. But I think Iβm supposed to say yes. So Iβm saying yes.β
Two weeks later, Jonas sat in the church youth room. Four boys, aged 14β17, slouched on old couches. One scrolled his phone. One yawned.
Jonas had prepared a short message: βGod sees you.β
He spoke quietly. No pressure. No show. No applause. Just silence.
Then one boy came up after:
βWill you be here next week?β
Jonas nodded.
βCool. I didnβt know God saw me.β
Chapter 6 β The Change
What followed wasnβt a revival. No stage lights. No big conversions.
But every Tuesday, Jonas showed up. The group grew. Not quicklyβbut honestly.
One boy shared his dad never looked him in the eye.
Another said he prayed, even though he didnβt go to church.
And Jonas?
He learned to listen. To speak gently. To be real.
He didnβt become a preacherβbut he became a servant of God, just as God had wanted.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-2-the-burning-bush-2-4-four-excuses-exodus-living-faith/
July 9, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Exodus 34 β The Glory of God Transforms
Covenant, forgiveness, and a shining face β how God’s presence shapes our lives
Bible Text β Exodus 34 (KJV)
Introduction
Commentary
1. Renewal Despite Failure (Verses 1β4)
God remains faithful even when we fail. His plans donβt end just because weβve fallen.
Summary
Message for Us Today
Reflection Questions
July 06 – 12, 2025
1. The Spiritual Significance of Marriage
Key thought: Marriage is a spiritual covenant β it shapes generations.
Reflection Question
July 9, 2025
Dare to Be Different!
Donβt live for what fades β live for what lasts
βββββββββββββββββ
Bible Verse
Introduction
DevotionalΒ
Story: The Boy in the Blue Jacket
Thoughts β What does this mean for you?
Todayβs Reflections
Be bold in your difference: Where can you choose to live differently β at school, with your friends, or online? More honest, more loving, more real?
Prayer
Lesson 2: The Burning Bush
2.3 The Name of the LORD
βI Am Who I Amβ β Godβs Name as a Revelation of His Presence
Introduction
Bible Study: Exodus 3:13β22 β The Name of the LORD
1. Historical and Narrative Context
Question 1: Why did Moses want to know Godβs name? What does Godβs name mean?
Application for Daily Life
Conclusion
Thought of the Day
Illustration β βI Am with Youβeven When You Donβt Feel Itβ
Chapter 1: The Abyss
Application of the Story
July 8, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Exodus 33 β βLord, show me Your glory!β
How Godβs Presence Becomes Our Greatest Hope and Deepest Longing
Bible Text β Exodus 33 (KJV)
Introduction
Commentary
Sin separates.
Summary
Message for Us Today
In an age of spiritual coldness, confusion, and superficiality, God calls us not first into the βPromised Land,β but into the closeness of His presence.
Reflection Questions
July 06 – 12, 2025
1. The Spiritual Significance of Marriage
Reflection Question
