Too Filthy For God...Moses

So, Moses…you’re probably either picturing Charlton Hesston or a VBS poster of a man who would make an incredibly convincing Santa stand-in, arms raised, staff in hand, red sea parted.

Moses gets 6 verses dedicated to his faith in Hebrews 11. He is a permanent figure in the Christian faith, after-all, he lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He faced down Pharaoh (Ex chapters 5-11). He parted a sea (14:26). He saw God’s glory (24:15ff, 33:11)!! God the Father buried Moses’ body himself when he passed on to Glory (Deut 34:5). “Wow” comes to mind.

Moses did some seriously incredible things…but he didn’t start out that way.

Did you know that Moses, who would be greatly used of God, committed pre-meditated murder? Oh, yes.

Exodus 2:12 Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

When he realized people knew what he had done he ran away (Ex 2:14), that’s why he was tending sheep in the desert when God spoke to him out of the famous burning bush (3:1ff). Furthermore, he argued with God (repeatedly, 3:11,13, 4:1, 10, 13) despite God’s assurances that His provision would be more than sufficient. My favorite of Moses’ statements is “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else”. My, oh my! Has that ever been the cry of my heart in times of rebellion. I can almost hear the 2 year old screeching “but I don’t waaaannnnaaaa!” can you? He was such a coward that only after God consented to grant the assistance of Moses’ big brother did he finally begin his journey back to Egypt as God had commanded.

I am by no means celebrating or condoning Moses’ shortcomings. I do, however, celebrate my Father who allowed that they be recorded for me to read thousands of years later, that they may serve as evidence of His unending grace.

How do we reconcile the man God celebrates in Hebrews 11 with the chicken of the early chapters of Exodus? Easy, Moses didn’t become a giant of the faith by buckling down and trying harder to be a good Israelite. God does not exhort Moses for “being good” he revels in Moses’ faith!!

Moses, the murderer, the chicken, the simple shepherd lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt and even more amazingly, spoke with God face to face! Praise God, I am not a lost cause.

So, what’s the point? Simple, you’re not too bad for God. You’re not too lost. You’re not too deep, too vile, to dirty. Why does Satan fight tooth and nail to keep sinning filthy pit dwellers in that pit? Because once God redeems that sinning pit dweller he or she can not be shut up. Once you realize that no sin you have committed is to bad for God, that your faith in him, your love for him allows him to redeem you, you are a serious threat to the kingdom of darkness. You will shout of His love from the rooftops. "I'VE BEEN REDEEMED" Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44) and he is lying to you now. Faith, choose to believe.