Intro: Moses was in a tight spot. God commissioned him for a formidable task: Go tell Pharaoh that God is aware of his people’s suffering and is determined to deliver them from bondage.

But here’s the thing, Moses … Pharaoh is not going to listen. In other words, Moses, I (God) am sending you and Aaron your brother to deliver not only an unpopular declaration, but it’s a declaration which the political hearer will reject.

Text: “So I [God] know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go” (Exodus 3:19-20, ESV).

Question: How would you like to be this leader, Moses? He’s a man that’s been addressed via theophany at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). He’s a man slow of speech (Exodus 4:10). He’s a man terrified at times by the prospects of confronting Pharaoh, unbelief, paganism, overwhelming governmental and martial force (Exodus 4:13).

The Result (after Zipporah was used by God to Rebuke Moses’ Hesitation): Remember what Moses (eventually) did?

“Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped” (Exodus 4:29-31).

Encouragement: God tests his leaders. He puts them in overwhelming situations in order to prove that God is the deliverer. What is called for is faithfulness by the biblical leader. Moses was never 100% faithful; he was, like the rest of us, weak at times, fearful, and captive to doubt. But God strengthened him and sustained him and showed him (and those he represented) that God is faithful to his covenantal promises. God’s leaders emulate that pattern.