Moses is going to Pharaoh, the most powerful leader, with a message of liberation for the Hebrew slaves that Pharaoh holds. Moses easily could be killed because of his past and because of his message. God will use what is in Moses’ hand—a staff—to demonstrate miraculous signs and wonders. Aaron will be the spokesman for Moses.
As the Israelites are crying out to God for freedom from slavery in Egypt, God sees, hears, and knows their suffering and has a plan to free them. Moses is part of that plan. God calls Moses to be the one to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses believes that God has called the wrong person for the job. God dispels Moses’ doubt and excuses by using what is in Moses’ hand right now—a staff—to be part of the miracle God will perform. Moses is going back to Egypt in God’s authority and power, not his own.
We often think of desert seasons as punishment because it feels like the in-between gap between a calling and fulfillment. Often the desert brings discouragement. Some things you cannot learn in the palace where there is comfort and fullness, but only in the desert where it is dry, difficult, and desolate. In the desert, we learn to be led by God.
The God of the book of Exodus is the same God of today—a God of promise, a God of faithfulness, a God of mercy, and a God of goodness.
