What Did Moses Do Anyway?

Did Moses really speak to Pharaoh? Did a booming Charlton Heston voice rumble from his broad chest, bellowing, “Let my people go?”

Or was it Aaron?

Though I have no idea if either man spoke in a bass or a baritone, or whether or not their pectoral muscles were pronounced, one could almost guarantee, Moses didn’t sound like the big C.H. In fact, he describes himself to God as a man slow of speech with faltering lips. He was so uncertain of his ability to persuade the mighty Egyptian king, even after God reminded him who made his mouth, God gave him Aaron, who was a gifted speaker, to do it for him.

God made use of this relationship, telling Moses (Exodus 7:1), “I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.” God knew the image of a silent leader flanked by a mouthpiece would give the impression of great authority.

So, did Moses ever speak to Pharaoh himself? Many of the exchanges in the Bible state, “Moses and Aaron said …” Does that mean they stood side by side, speaking the words in unison, or is it just shorthand for “God told Moses, who told Aaron what to say,” as God describes He will do earlier in scripture. My guess is the latter. Yet further into Exodus we do read “Moses said to Pharaoh.” So, evidently, Moses eventually spoke on his own.

This relationship is a great example of how we can step out in our calling, even when we lack ability. If God calls you to do something you feel you can’t, first know, He doesn’t make mistakes. He’s chosen you for a reason. But if you’re feeling a little shaky, find someone with the skill you need and align yourself with him. We don’t have to do it alone. This new relationship will have two benefits. First, it will give you that person who has the skill you lack, therefore, using the Body of Christ as it was meant to be used. Second, it provides you with the source of learning how to develop the skill yourself, as Moses obviously did. He complained about his faltering lip on more than one occasion. Yet he eventually is able to speak on his own. God told him he could. And so he did.

Please note, I am not recommending you go out and do that thing you are least skilled in, just for the sake of doing it. God created you for a purpose and your gifting will play a part. However, when He calls, He knows what you can and cannot do. And He will make use of both, either through the working of that extraordinary gift, or attaining the goal despite the deficit. Sometimes that’s the most powerful!

Tell us, in the comments below, what God is calling YOU to do.

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