Exodus 3:12
“And God said: Certainly I will be with you.”
There is nothing more amiable in the character of a saint than true and genuine humility. Without the virtue of humility, all graces are defective, and all attainments worthless in the sight of God. But it is no uncommon thing to see other dispositions assuming the garb of humility, and claiming an excellence which they do not possess.
The Prophet Jeremiah, when called to the prophetic office, declined it under an idea that he was “a child, and unable to speak.” But God said to him, “Say not, I am a child; for you shall go to all that I shall send you, and whatever I shall command you, you shall speak, Jeremiah 1:4-7.” His pretended insufficiency for the work was, in reality, no other than a cover for his dread of the dangers to which it would expose him; and therefore God, in order to remove the impediment, replied, “Be not afraid of their faces; for I am with you, to deliver you! Jeremiah 1:8.”
Thus Moses, when God said to him, “Come now, and I will send you unto Pharaoh, that you may bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt;” replied, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt, Exodus 3:10-11.” This was specious enough, and had the semblance of true humility; but it was only a pretext, and a cover to his fears and unbelief. He had, forty years before, exerted himself with great vigor in behalf of that people, and had even slain an Egyptian who was contending with them; but they had thrust him from them, saying, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?” and Pharaoh had sought his life, as forfeited to the laws of the land.
Now, therefore, he was afraid that the people would show the same disregard of his efforts, and that his slaughter of the Egyptian would be visited with the punishment which the laws of the land denounced against him. This indeed, did not at first sight appear to be his real motive; but his numerous refusals of the office delegated to him, repeated as they were under a variety of pretexts, clearly discovered at last what was in his heart, and justly excited the displeasure of God against him, Exodus 4:13-14; Exodus 4:19. But the very first answer of God should have been quite sufficient to remove every apprehension. God said to him, “Certainly I will be with you!” and, having that assurance, he should without hesitation have gone forth to his destined labors.
Let us consider,
I. The extent of the promise.
As relating to him, it comprehended all that he could wish.
True, his work was arduous, and to unassisted man impracticable; but, if God was with him, what could he have to fear? He would be guided by a wisdom that could not err, and he aided by a power which could not be overcome. With such an assurance, what had he to do with discouragements? Could Pharaoh hurt him, while he was under such protection; or the Israelites withstand his solicitations, when enforced by such powerful energy on their minds? Every difficulty should have vanished from his mind; and he should have leaped for joy at the prospect of effecting so great and good a work.
But it relates to us also, and pledges God to an equal extent in our behalf.
A similar promise was given to Joshua, on an occasion precisely similar, Joshua 1:5; and that is quoted by the Apostle Paul as applicable to every true believer, “God has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you; so that WE may boldly say: The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me Hebrews 13:5-6.” Here the very promise made to Moses, is renewed to Joshua, and declared to belong to us also. Whatever difficulties, therefore, we may have to encounter in the discharge of our duty to God, we need not fear; his promised presence shall be with us in our efforts, and his almighty power secure to us a successful outcome.
The more minute consideration of the subject will fall under the next head of my discourse, while I endeavor to show,
II. The encouragement this promise affords to us.
We may properly view it, in the first place, as applicable to ministers.
Ministers have, if I may so speak, the very same office delegated to them as was assigned to Moses; they are sent to bring men out of spiritual thraldom, and to deliver them from a bondage far more terrible than that of Egypt. The power that opposes them is far stronger than that of Pharaoh; and the unhappy captives are in love with their chains; they are themselves as averse to leave their hard taskmaster, as he is to lose their services. Were we to go in our own strength, we would soon desert our post; as Moses did, when, in reliance on his own arm, he prematurely offered to the people his assistance. But with the promise of God’s presence, a promise specifically given to us by our Divine Master for our encouragement, Matthew 28:18, we go forth with confidence; and to every obstacle that is in our way, we say, “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! Zechariah 4:7.”
We know that the people to whom we speak are as incapable of hearing our words, as dry bones scattered upon the face of the earth; yet do we not despond, or even doubt the efficacy of our ministrations for those to whom we are sent; and, in dependence on this word, we hope and believe, that the word which we speak shall prove “the power of God to the salvation” of those who hear it.
We are not unmindful of the question put by the Apostle, “Who is sufficient for these things?” but, if the rod of Moses wrought effectually in his hand for the deliverance of Israel, we have no fear but that the Word of God, by whoever administered, shall be alike effectual for all the ends for which it is sent. It is “the rod of God’s strength;” and not all the powers of darkness shall be able to withstand it.
But it is also applicable to all of God’s people.
To this extent, as we have before observed, Paul applies it; and every believer needs it for his support. Every one is engaged in a great work, for which no finite power is sufficient. Every one, therefore, needs to be encouraged with an assurance, that God will be with him in all his endeavors to perform it, and will secure to him the desired success.
Believer, have you much to do for God, even so much as you could have no hope of effecting without the arm of Omnipotence exerted in your behalf? Hear what God has said for your encouragement, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness! Isaiah 41:10.”
See here, how God, in every successive part of these promises, accommodates himself to your weakness and your fears. When he says, “I am with you,” a thought may perhaps arise, that he will be with you only to witness your defeat; he therefore adds, “I will be your God.”
Does a sense of your weakness press upon you? He further says, “I will strengthen you.” Are you still discouraged, because the work is left to you? He adds, “I will help you.”
Are you still dejected through an apprehension of your failure at last? he takes the whole responsibility on himself, and declares, for your comfort, “I will altogether uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” This shows the extent to which this promise goes, in relation to everything which our necessities may require.
Again, Have you also much to suffer for God in your Christian course? Doubtless you must have some cross to bear, else you could not be conformed fully to your Savior’s image. But, whether your trials are more or less severe, the promise in my text secures to you an effectual help, and a sure deliverance. For thus says the Lord, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you; for I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior! Isaiah 43:2-3.” Here again the extent of the promise clearly appears, and its perfect sufficiency for every trial to which you can be exposed.
Is there yet a lurking apprehension that in the extremity of death your heart will fail? At this season, also, shall the presence of your God afford you effectual support, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me, Psalm 23:4.” Now, though the valley of this shadow of death may comprehend the whole of the present life as beset with snares and difficulties—yet it must include the closing scenes of life, as well as those that have preceded it; and, consequently, when our flesh and heart fail, we may be assured that “God will be the strength of our heart, and our portion forever! Psalm 73:26.”
Learn from hence.
1. To undertake nothing but in dependence on God.
When God given his assistance to Israel, no man could stand before them; but when they went up against the Canaanites in dependence on an arm of flesh, they were put to flight and slain, Numbers 14:43-45. So it will be with us, if we presume to engage in anything without first asking counsel, and imploring help, from him. God is jealous of his own honor; and if we place our reliance on anything but him, we must expect a curse, and not a blessing, on all our labors, Jeremiah 17:5-6.
2. To shrink from nothing to which God calls us.
If Moses was forbidden to shrink from the duties imposed on him—then what shall we not willingly and confidently undertake for God? We must not contemplate human means, when the path of duty is clear; but must expect him to “perfect his own strength in our weakness.” With him it is alike “easy to save by many or by few;” nor need we doubt a moment, but that “through Christ strengthening us we can do all things.” “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
3. To despair of nothing which we undertake at his command.
We may be in the path of duty, and yet find many difficulties, even such as may appear utterly insuperable. Moses himself was so discouraged by his lack of success, that he complained of God as having disappointed and deceived him. But he succeeded at last; and the very difficulties which had discouraged him served but the more to illustrate the power and grace of God.
Just so, we may find it for a season; but we should bear in mind, that his word, which he has pledged to us, is immutable, and that his counsel shall stand, though earth and Hell should combine to defeat it. Let us then “commit our every way to him;” and, with a holy confidence, advance, “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might!”
Charles Simeon (1759-1836)