152
From Eternity Past
from the Egyptians that he had not so ready use of their language as
when he was among them.
Moses entreated that a more competent person be selected. But
after the Lord had promised to remove all difficulties and give him
final success, any further complaining of his unfitness showed distrust
of God. It implied a fear that God was unable to qualify him or that
He had made a mistake in the selection of the man.
Aaron, his elder brother, having been in daily use of the language
of the Egyptians, was able to speak it perfectly. He was told that Aaron
was coming to meet him. The next words from the Lord were an
unqualified command.
“Thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth... . And
he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he
shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead
of God. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou
[175]
shalt do signs.” He could make no further resistance, for all ground for
excuse was removed.
Having once accepted the work, Moses entered upon it with his
whole heart, putting all his trust in the Lord. God blessed his ready
obedience, and he became eloquent, hopeful, self-possessed, and well
fitted for the greatest work ever given to man.
A man will gain power and efficiency as he accepts the responsi-
bilities that God places upon him. However humble his position or
limited his ability, that man will attain true greatness who seeks to
perform his work with fidelity. The fact that a man feels his weakness
is at least some evidence that he realizes the magnitude of the work
appointed him; he will make God his counselor and his strength.
A secret dread of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, whose anger had been
kindled against him forty years before, had rendered Moses reluctant
to return to Egypt; but after he had set out to obey the divine command,
the Lord revealed to him that his enemies were dead.
On the way from Midian, an angel appeared to Moses in a threat-
ening manner, as if he would destroy him. No explanation was given;
but Moses remembered that he had disregarded one of God’s require-
ments. He had neglected to perform the rite of circumcision upon
their youngest son. Such a neglect on the part of Israel’s chosen leader
could not but lessen the force of the divine precepts upon the people.
Zipporah, fearing that her husband would be slain, performed the rite