What does Moses' question in Exodus 3:11 reveal about his faith? The Text of Exodus 3:11 “But Moses asked God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’” Immediate Literary Setting The question follows the miracle of the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-10). Yahweh has just declared His intent to deliver Israel and has singled out Moses as His emissary. Moses’ response inaugurates a dialogue of five objections (Exodus 3:11; 4:1, 10, 13) that chart his progressive spiritual formation. Historical Context • Chronology: Working from a conservative Ussher-style timeline, the Exodus occurs c. 1446 BC (1 Kings 6:1; Judges 11:26). Moses’ birth therefore falls c. 1526 BC; he is now about 80 years old (Exodus 7:7). • Cultural Setting: Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty revered Pharaoh as divine. A Hebrew shepherd returning from Midian would appear politically and religiously insignificant—a fact that intensifies Moses’ self-doubt. • Archaeological Corroboration: Semitic‐style domestic dwellings unearthed at Avaris (Tell el-Dabʿa) match the Biblical portrayal of Israelite residence in Goshen. Mud-brick storage cities at Pithom and Raamses (Exodus 1:11) have been documented, supporting the historic backdrop to Moses’ call. Theological Weight of the Question 1. Humility Before Divine Majesty “Who am I?” discloses genuine humility rather than rebellious unbelief. Scripture regularly commends such lowliness (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6). The contrast between God’s greatness and human frailty surfaces repeatedly (Isaiah 6:5; Luke 5:8). 2. Awareness of Personal Inadequacy Forty years as a Midianite shepherd have stripped Moses of former royal confidence (Acts 7:22-29). His question indicates that prior human accomplishments offer no sufficiency for divine mission. 3. Preliminary—but Not Absent—Faith Moses is conversing with the Angel of Yahweh, not fleeing Him. His openness to dialogue shows embryonic faith that seeks clarification rather than defiance (cp. Mary’s “How will this be?” in Luke 1:34). Progression of Faith in the Dialogue (Ex 3–4) • Objection 1—Identity (3:11) → God’s Answer: “I will surely be with you” (3:12). • Objection 2—Authority (3:13) → God’s Answer: The Name “I AM WHO I AM” (3:14). • Objection 3—Credibility (4:1) → God’s Answer: Sign-miracles (4:2-9). • Objection 4—Ability (4:10) → God’s Answer: Divine empowerment of speech (4:11-12). • Objection 5—Availability (4:13) → God’s Answer: Providential partnership with Aaron (4:14-16). This pattern reveals faith growing through honest questioning met by revelatory assurance. Comparative Biblical Portraits of Questioning Faith • Gideon: “Pardon me, my Lord, but how can I deliver Israel?” (Judges 6:15). • Jeremiah: “Ah, Lord GOD! … I do not know how to speak” (Jeremiah 1:6). • Peter: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). In each case, God transforms self-distrust into God-confidence. Implications for Theology Proper Moses’ question spotlights two doctrinal pillars: 1. Divine Sovereignty—The mission’s success depends on God’s Presence, not Moses’ prowess. 2. Covenant Faithfulness—God ties the pledge of His Presence to covenant fulfillment at Sinai (Exodus 3:12), uniting call and consummation. Christological Resonances Jesus echoes the same assurance to His disciples: “And surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). The Great Commission parallels the Exodus commission, rooting New-Covenant mission in divine presence rather than human adequacy (2 Corinthians 3:5). Practical Application for Believers • Personal Calling: Feelings of insufficiency can catalyze dependence on God (2 Corinthians 12:9). • Worship: Recognition of God’s holiness and our insufficiency fosters authentic worship. • Mission: God often chooses unlikely servants to magnify His glory (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Miraculous Confirmation The burning bush is simultaneously supernatural (fire without consumption) and sensory. Such integration of miracle with empirical observation resonates with contemporary documented healings and near-death resurrection cases catalogued in peer-reviewed medical literature—modern analogues that show God still validating His word through signs (Hebrews 2:4). Archaeological Footprints of the Exodus Leadership Inscribed proto-Sinaitic script at Serabit el-Khadim—Semitic letters embedded within an Egyptian sanctuary—provides a cultural milieu for Moses’ literacy in both hieroglyphic and alphabetic systems, explaining his capacity to compose Israel’s earliest records. Young-Earth Creation Context Moses, the author of Genesis, affirms a recent creation (Exodus 20:11). His question arises in the same narrative corpus that grounds Israel’s identity in a literal Adam and a straightforward chronology, reinforcing that Biblical history functions as the basis for Biblical faith. Summary Answer Moses’ question in Exodus 3:11 reveals a faith characterized by humility, honest self-doubt, and an emerging trust that seeks confirmation rather than offering defiance. It marks the threshold between self-reliance and God-reliance, inaugurating a pattern wherein God’s presence, not human adequacy, secures redemption. |
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