Doubting Moses Debates With The Burning Bush

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11, NRSVue)

But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘what is His name?’ what shall I say to them.” (Exodus 3:13, NRSVue)

But Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10 NRSVue)

But [Moses] said, “O my lord, please send someone else.” (Exodus 4:13, NRSVue)

Thomas doubted the Resurrection of Jesus. Abraham and Sarah doubted they would ever have a child. But Moses doubted himself.

Moses’s encounter with the burning bush is sort of the epitome of job interviews. Moses is being interviewed by God for the position of Liberator of an enslaved people, and Leader of said people to a Promised Land. So, no pressure, right? God has a candidate for the job, Moses. But Moses wants no part of it.

Moses had the worst kind of doubt; self-doubt. Self-doubt can be debilitating. It is a common, often paralyzing, insecurity regarding one’s competence or worth, fear of failure, or demanding an impossible perfectionism of one’s self. All of these crop up as Moses desperately seeks an “out” from what God is asking him to do. Moses is already on the run from Egypt having killed an Egyptian in a burst of anger (see Exodus 2:11-15). 

Of course, Moses does as God commands, perhaps reluctantly at first. Moses does not doubt God’s ability to deliver the Israelites from their bondage, but he seriously doubts his own ability to carry out God’s plan. 

We have all doubted ourselves at some point in our life. When faced with a new situation, we wonder if we are up to the challenge. Is a new position the right fit for us and our talents? Are we qualified to perform a new task we have never undertaken before? Is this a really good idea? Anyone who has applied for a new job, sought a promotion, or is asked to do a new task they have never done before understands the anxiety that goes along with a change of circumstance, even if that change is for the better.

But self-doubt can be managed, if not eliminated.  Avoid harsh self-criticism and talk to yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend. Build confidence by acting despite your fear, actions which generates evidence of your capability and reduces the power of doubt. Reframe the narrative. Rather than trying to eliminate doubt, learn to live with it, accepting that it is a natural part of growth. Reach out to friends, family, or professionals to gain perspective and encouragement. Actively remind yourself of past successes and strengths.

And remember God’s assurance to the prophet Isaiah:

You are my servant,

I have chosen you and not cast you off;

Do not fear for I am with you,

Do not be afraid, for I am your God’

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand

(Isaiah 41:9b-10 NRSVue)

That’s something to think about today.

Jerry Lipscomb