Moses: Failures. Flaws. Faith.

Deuteronomy 34

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY

Creation. Abraham. MOSES. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.

The scriptural epitaph of Moses stands out among all of God’s people in God’s story. Here’s how the life of Moses is described: 

Deuteronomy 34:10-12
And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. 

As we wrap up this remarkable man’s story, let’s consider his highlights and lowlights. We learn from Moses that God uses broken people to do amazing things. 

The life of Moses can be divided into three forty-year periods. Moses spent the first forty years of his life as a prince in the Egyptian palace, educated at the best schools available. He lived his second forty years in Midian, where he settled after fleeing Egypt for a murder he had committed. In Midian, he took care of his father-in-law’s sheep and had two sons with his wife, Zipporah. Moses’ final forty years were also in the same area, but instead of tending sheep, he led the nation of Israel. 

Throughout Moses' 120 years, we observe an impatient leader, a reluctant leader, a powerful leader, a frustrated leader, a teacher leader, and a humble leader. Let’s examine each of these individually. 

The Impatient Leader
Moses jumped the gun. He couldn’t help himself. He had to do something. Moses knew he was a Hebrew, but he lived in a palace; his fellow Hebrews lived as slaves. It was time to act.

Moses would have known about the Pharaoh’s order to kill all the male Hebrew children to control Israel’s population. As a baby, he was protected by his family’s prayerful actions. When he was just a few months old, they placed him in a basket and left him in a strategic spot along the Nile River. Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses, took pity on him, and raised him as her own. He enjoyed a privileged upbringing.  

As an adult, Moses saw an Egyptian taskmaster mistreating a fellow Hebrew. He responded by killing the taskmaster and burying him in the sand. News spread that Moses had murdered an Egyptian, so he fled for his life. 

There is an important lesson here: Wait for God’s purpose and his timing.  

Moses was God’s chosen leader, but he wasn’t ready to lead. God would deliver Israel, but the timing wasn’t right yet. Moses’ impulsive and violent act turned his passion into a setback. He chose force over faith. We learn from Moses to wait on God.  

The Reluctant Leader
Forty years is a long time. I can only imagine that living in the palace was such a distant memory for Moses that it felt more like a dream than reality. Maybe early on, he expected to return and take back his leadership in Egypt. But forty years is a lifetime. 

Moses spent many days alone, tending his father-in-law’s sheep. He accepted his life as a shepherd since the days of significant leadership seemed to be over. Moses was eighty years old. 

Then God appeared to him at the burning bush and told Moses it was time. However, Moses didn’t want to go now. He was full of excuses. He didn’t think he was worthy (Ex. 3:11). He doubted that God was powerful enough (Ex. 3:14). Moses was convinced no one— the Pharaoh or the Hebrews— would listen to him or believe that God had called him (Ex. 4:1). He was sure he didn’t have what it took for such a task (Ex. 4:10). And finally, Moses said that he just didn’t want to do what God was calling him to do (Ex. 4:13).  

But God would not accept “no.” 

Here's an important lesson: God won't take no for an answer. 

When God calls you to do something, he will provide everything you need. He will answer all your questions and excuses, reassuring you that he is more than enough. This promise reflects Israel’s journey from Egypt to the promised land. God is always enough. He repeatedly reminded Israel, “You shall not fear [those who oppose you], for it is the Lord your God who fights for you” (Deut. 3:22; Ex. 14:14).  

The Powerful Leader
God continually displayed his power through Moses and confirmed Moses’ leadership call before the people. The ten plagues, sent by God through Moses, proved that the God of Israel was supreme over all the gods of Egypt. 

The crossing of the Red Sea showed God’s amazing power to save Israel and defeat the powerful Egyptian army. It also demonstrated that God was keeping watch over his people.

Exodus 14:30-31 
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. 

God’s power validated Moses's trustworthiness as Israel’s leader. This was evident again at Mount Sinai, where God continued to reinforce Moses’ credibility. God told him, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever” (Ex. 19:9). 

In his book about Moses, Chuck Swindoll discusses how God works in the lives of leaders. He says, “God’s leaders are not self-made; they are God-shaped—often through long seasons of obscurity and brokenness.”[1]

Early in his life, Moses took matters into his own hands and tried the self-made route. It wasn’t successful. But then God stepped in and shaped him through forty years of obscurity and brokenness. A person shaped by God is a powerful leader. 

Moses was an impatient leader, then a reluctant leader, and ultimately became a powerful leader. Tomorrow, we’ll finish our study on Moses as God continues to shape him. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Deuteronomy 34. Where are you tempted to act ahead of God’s timing instead of waiting on him?

Talking to God: Ask God to give you the patience needed to wait on him. 

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