THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (a) Describe how Moses responded to God's call ( 12 marks) (b) State three reasons why people refuse to accept leadership role...

Answer Details

(a) How Moses responded to God's call (Exodus 3:1-4:17)

While Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro at Mount Horeb (Sinai), God appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush that burned but was not consumed. God told Moses that He had seen and heard the affliction of the Israelites in Egypt and had come down to deliver them, and He charged Moses to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of bondage to Canaan, the Promised Land. Moses responded not with ready obedience but with a series of objections, which God answered one after another:

1. Moses shrank from the task, saying, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" God assured him that He would be with him and gave him a sign that he would bring the people back to Mount Horeb to serve God.
2. Moses asked what he should say if the people demanded God's name. God revealed His name, "I AM WHO I AM," the God of their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and told Moses to gather the elders and go to Pharaoh to ask permission for a three-day journey to worship God in the wilderness.
3. Moses complained that the people would not believe that God had appeared to him. God gave him three signs: turning his rod into a snake when cast down, making his hand leprous and then whole again when placed in his cloak, and turning water from the Nile into blood on the ground.
4. Moses further objected that he was not eloquent and was slow of speech. God promised to be with his mouth and to teach him what to say, since He is the Creator of the mouth.
5. Finally Moses pleaded with God to send someone else. Though God's anger was kindled, He appointed Aaron, Moses' brother, to be his spokesman before the people and Pharaoh.

Moses then accepted the call, took the rod of God in his hand and returned to Egypt to carry out his mission.

(b) Three reasons why people refuse to accept leadership roles

1. Lack of confidence, low self-esteem or fear of failure.
2. Fear of being criticized or opposed.
3. Lack of the necessary knowledge, expertise or commitment for the task.