Many still live in areas where their lives, homes, and other property are protected by volunteer firefighters. There is a sense of excitement when the fire alarm sounds and volunteers scramble to a place where it’s unclear what dangers await. During calmer times, it looks like fun to ride on the shiny trucks, talk to admiring young children, and share in the camaraderie so obviously present. But in reality, it is really a lot of hard work and no pay.

Truly amazing is the sense of responsibility shown by the volunteers. They realize their communities depend on them for protection. They know the opposite of volunteer is paid, not professional; therefore they spend many hours training, and also maintaining equipment. Volunteer firefighters may fight a fire all night and go straight to work the next morning. They may be called away from work to respond to a fire. Family activities may be delayed or cancelled because of an emergency. Why? Because firefighters have a sense of responsibility, and for that, we should be thankful.

In our lesson text today, God needs a leader who will accept a great responsibility. His people, the Israelites, have been in slavery a long time. Their plight is one of pain, bondage, and affliction. God has heard their prayerful pleas for forgiveness and deliverance. However, the new Pharaoh is no more likely to release these people than was his predecessor.

God’s choice to accept the responsibility to lead his people to freedom and the promised land isn’t one a “search committee” would even consider today. Moses is old, well past middle age. He hasn’t led anything but sheep for a long time. Years earlier, when he tried to direct some Hebrews, they rejected his effort (2:13, 14). In fact, he is a fugitive from Egypt, hiding out to save his own life (2:15).

Yet, God can overcome obstacles man doesn’t think possible. He continues to call and use individuals who feel unworthy and unqualified to do his work. He calls us to respond and be responsible, just as he did with Moses. When God comes calling, remember the lessons of our text.

There May Be Problems (Exodus 4:10)
God does not deny or even try to hide that there may be problems. We all have limitations, as we all have abilities. But we are not all created equal when it comes to talent and intelligence, even though God may love us the same and provide equal salvation if we accept his Son.

Moses isn’t thrilled at the opportunity to lead a nation. He protests because he isn’t a good public speaker—and he may have a good point.

It may have been 40 years since he spoke before a group. It may have been longer than that since his last bit of formal education at Pharaoh’s palace. But Moses really isn’t looking for a reason; he’s looking for an excuse! And, God isn’t “buying it.” In fact, we later see that Moses becomes a very capable speaker as God helps him lead the Israelites.

Quite often it is our perception of a limitation that holds us back. Others accept responsibility in spite of limitations (whether perceived or real) and are used successfully for Jesus. The apostle Paul continued to serve in spite of a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Preachers who are blind, have speech impediments, or lack formal education have been successful ministers for Christ. Elders who are afraid of public speaking have become wonderful shepherds of Christ’s flock, though perhaps not great orators. Deacons who cannot read have served tirelessly as the “leading servants” in Christ’s church.

God does not ask us to do what we cannot. He only asks us to give as he has prospered us (1 Corinthians 16:2). He asks us to overcome temptation, not by ourselves, but as he makes “a way to escape (and) . . . bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is true of accepting responsibility, too.

Help Is Available (Exodus 4:11-16)
The God who made us is more than able to help us overcome our inadequacies. God’s reply to Moses in verses 11 and 12 may well remind us of another man in the Old Testament who didn’t have “all the answers.” Job was finally “hushed” when God confronted him with questions such as, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4). It is very troubling to question God; it is very comforting to trust him.

Rather than having an attitude of “send someone else!”—which seems to be what Moses is saying in verse 13—we should realize God can and will send others to help us fulfill our responsibilities to him. For Moses, it was his brother Aaron.

God’s plan in the New Testament is clearly taught in Ephesians 4:11. Different people with different abilities perform different tasks so the work of Christ’s church is accomplished according to his purposes (Ephesians 4:12-16). This plan is often pictured as a team with different players. A more accurate picture may be of a family with its members helping one another accomplish their accepted responsibilities.

Where’s This Going? (Exodus 4:27-31)
So where is all of this taking us? The short but obvious answer is, to success! But here are four detailed answers found in these verses for what happens when we ask God to help.

First, there are renewed relationships (4:27, 28). How joyous it must have been for Moses and Aaron to come together again after such a long separation. How thrilling it must have been to be able to work together and to spend time together, especially when working for God in such a great responsibility. Today, isn’t there joy when brothers and sisters in Christ join together to minister for him?

Second, God’s Word is proclaimed (4:29, 30). The power is not in our words but in his. Our job is not to be eloquent orators but messengers of the gospel.

Third, people respond (4:31). They respond to the gospel, not us. Three definite responses are mentioned in this verse: They believe (and respond to that belief); they are reverent, bowing their heads before God; and they worship.

Fourth, God does his part (4:31). He hears our prayers. He knows our needs. And, he helps us accomplish our accepted responsibilities for him.

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*All Scriptures are from the New International Version of the Bible, unless otherwise indicted.