If nominated I shall not accept, if elected I shall not serve. The words of Civil War general George Tecumseh Sherman ring clear in American history as a tribute to a mans obstinate unwillingness to commit to further service to a shattered country. It seems that Moshe responds in almost the same manner, not to a nominating committee but to G-d Almighty. When Moshe is approached by Hashem to speak to Pharaoh, he defers. First he ponders, Who am I to go to Pharaoh? (Exodus 3:11) After Hashem exhorts him, Moshe tries a different tactic. I am not a man of words… for I am a man heavy of mouth and speech. (Exodus 4:10) Again G-d refutes his extenuation and chides Moshe that, after all, who makes a mouth for man if not the Almighty? And once again He urges Moshe to go to Pharaoh, assuring him that I will be with your mouth and teach you what to say. (Exodus 4:12) Finally, when Hashem assures Moshe that it is His hand that will guide him, His words that will be spoken and His spirit that will inspire him, Moshe still does not accept. He has one final seemingly lame pretext: Send the one who You are accustomed to send. (Exodus 4:13) The scenario is almost incomprehensible. After every one of Moshes protestations are well refuted by the Almighty, how did Moshe have the audacity to petition G-d to send someone else? Moshes older brother Ahron had been the prophet of the Jewish nation, guiding them, encouraging them, and supporting them decades before Moshe was asked by Hashem to go to Pharaoh. When Moshe was finally convinced by the Almighty that he was worthy of the designated mission and that his speech impediment was not a inhibiting factor, there was one more issue that Moshe had to deal with. And that factor was not in Hashems control. It was a very mortal factor -- his brother Ahrons feelings. Under no circumstance, even if every other qualification were met, would Moshe accept a position that might, in some way, slight his brother Ahron Only after Moshe was assured of Ahrons overwhelming moral support and willingness to forego his commission did Moshe accept the great task. Sanctity of mission and divinity of assignment end somewhere very sacred: at the tip of someone elses heart
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 14:45:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015