"The Credentials of the Messenger" TRANSCRIPT
T h e S e rm o n s o f D a n D u n c a n E x o d u s 4 :1 -1 7
Exodus
" T h e C re d e n tia ls o f th e M e s s e n g e r "
T R A N S C R IP T
[M e s s a g e ] W e ’re c o n tin u in g in o u r s tu d y in th e b o o k o f E x o d u s , ra th e r th a n ta k e a s p e c ia l le s s o n o u t fo r C h ris tm a s, w h ic h y o u m a y h a v e e x p e c te d . B u t I b e lie v e D o c to r J o h n s o n is d o in g th a t. S o w e ’ll c o n tin u e w ith o u r s tu d ie s in E x o d u s c h a p te r 4 a n d lo o k in v e rs e s 1 th ro u g h 1 7 . A n d a s w e d o s o I’m s u re th a t c e rta in C h ris tm a s th e m e s w ill s u rfa c e a s w e e x p o u n d th e te x t. W e re a d , b e g in n in g w ith v e rs e o n e . “ T h e n M o s e s a n s w e re d a n d s a id , w h a t if th e y w ill n o t b e lie v e m e o r lis te n to w h a t I s a y/F o r th e y m a y s a y , th e L o rd h a s n o t a p p e a re d to y o u /A n d th e L o rd s a id to h im , w h a t is th a t in y o u r h a n d ? A n d h e s a id , a s ta ff/A n d th e n h e s a id , th ro w it o n th e g ro u n d /S o h e th r e w it o n th e g ro u n d a n d it b e c a m e a s e rp e n t, a n d M o s e s fle d fro m it/B u t th e L o rd s a id to M o s e s , s tre tc h o u t y o u r h a n d a n d g ra s p it b y th e ta il/S o h e s tre tc h e d o u t h is h a n d a n d c a u g h t it a n d it b e c a m e a s ta f f in h is h a n d /A n d th a t th e y m a y b e lie v e th a t th e L o rd , th e G o d o f th e ir fa th e rs , th e G o d o f A b ra h a m , th e G o d o f Is a a c , a n d th e G o d o f J a c o b h a s a p p e a re d to y o u /A n d th e L o rd , f u r th e r m o r e s a id th is h im , n o w th a t y o u r h a n d in y o u r b o s o m /S o h e p u t h is h a n d in h is b o s o m , a n d w h e n h e to o k it o u t, b e h o ld , h is h a n d w a s le p ro u s lik e s n o w /T h e n h e s a id , p u t y o u r h a n d in to y o u r b o s o m a g a in /S o h e p u t h is h a n d in to h is b o s o m a g a in . A n d w h e n h e to o k it o u t o f h is b o s o m , b e h o ld , it w a s re s to re d lik e th e re s t o f h is fle s h /A n d it s h a ll c o m e a b o u t th a t if th e y w ill n o t b e li e v e y o u o r h e e d th e w itn e s s o f th e firs t s ig n th e n th e y m a y b e lie v e th e w itn e s s o f th e la s t
-2"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
tim e /B u t it s h a ll b e th a t if th e y w ill n o t b e lie v e e v e n th e s e tw o s ig n s o r h e e d w h a t y o u s a y , th e n y o u s h a ll ta k e s o m e w a te r fro m th e N ile a n d p o u r it o n th e d ry g r o u n d , a n d th e w a te r w h ic h y o u ta k e fro m th e N ile w ill b e c o m e b lo o d o n th e d ry g ro u n d /T h e n M o s e s s a id to th e L o rd , P le a s e , L o rd , I h a v e n e v e r b e e n e lo q u e n t e ith e r re c e n tly , n o r in tim e p a s t, n o r s in c e th o u h a s t s p o k e n to th y s e rv a n t, f o r I a m s lo w o f s p e e c h a n d s lo w o f to n g u e /A n d th e L o rd s a id to h im , W h o h a s m a d e m a n ’s m o u th o r w h a t m a k e s h im d u m b o r d e a f , o r s e e in g o r b lin d ? Is it n o t I th e L o rd ? /N o w th e n g o a n d e v e n I w ill b e w ith y o u r m o u th a n d te a c h y o u w h a t y o u a re to s a y /B u t h e s a id , P le a s e , L o rd , n o w s e n d th e m e s s e n g e r b y w h o m e v e r th o u w ilt. T h a t is a d if f ic u lt e x p re s s io n o r v e rs e to tra n s la te in th e H e b re w te x t. It is b e e n g iv e n d if f e re n t in te rp re ta tio n s th a t N e w In te rn a tio n a l V e rs io n tra n s la te s th is , “ P le a s e , L o rd , s e n d s o m e o n e e ls e to d o it.” A n d th a t m a y b e a g o o d e x p re s s io n o f th e id e a , I th in k , a s y o u s e e w h a t fo llo w s th e c o n te x t, s e e m s to s u p p o rt th a t, if th a t’s n o t th e e x a c t tra n s la tio n , th a t d o e s s e e m to b e th e s p irit o f M o s e s re s p o n s e . H e ’s s till re s is tin g G o d ’s c a ll. “ T h e n th e a n g e r o f th e L o rd ’s w o rd a g a in s t M o s e s a n d h e s a id , “ Is th e re n o t y o u r b ro th e r A a ro n , th e L e v ite ? I k n o w th a t h e s p e a k s f lu e n tly /A n d , m o r e o v e r , b e h o ld , h e is c o m in g o u t to m e e t y o u ./W h e n h e s e e s y o u , h e w ill b e g la d in h is h e a rt./A n d y o u a re to s p e a k to h im a n d p u t th e w o rd s in h is m o u th ./A n d I, e v e n I w ill b e w ith y o u r m o u th a n d h is m o u th a n d I w ill te a c h y o u w h a t y o u a re to d o ./M o re o v e r, h e s h a ll s p e a k fo r y o u to th e p e o p le , a n d it s h a ll c o m e a b o u t th a t h e s h a ll b e a s a m o u th fo r y o u a n d y o u s h a ll b e a s G o d to h im ./A n d y o u s h a ll ta k e in y o u r h a n d th is s ta f f w ith w h ic h y o u s h a ll p e rf o rm th e s ig n s .” L e t’s b o w to g e th e r in a w o rd o f p ra y e r a n d a s k th e L o rd to b le s s th is tim e a s tu d y to g e th e r . L e t’s p ra y . [P ra y e r] F a th e r, w e th a n k y o u th a t w e c a n c o m e to g e th e r th is m o rn in g a s w e a n tic ip a te C h ris tm a s a n d a ll th a t it re p re s e n ts ; th e b irth o f y o u r s o n , th e S a v io r w h o m y o u s e n t to p u rc h a s e th e s a lv a tio n o f s in n e rs . A n d s o w e b e g in w ith th e a c k n o w le d g m e n t th a t th a t is w h a t
-3"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
w e a re . W e a re a s in fu l p e o p le . A n d in s a y in g th at a n d m a k in g th a t c o n f e s s io n , w e c o n f e s s th a t w e d e s e rv e n o th in g g o o d f ro m y o u . A n d a ll th a t w e re c e iv e , w e re c e iv e h is g ra c e a s u n m e rite d f a v o r, a s g if t. A n d w e p ra y th a t y o u ’d h e lp u s to u n d e rs ta n d th a t b e tte r b e c a u s e w e re a liz e th a t a s w e u n d e rs ta n d th a t tru th w e b e c o m e m o re in d e b te d to y o u a n d w e b e c o m e m o re a p t to s e rv e y o u fa ith fu lly . A n d s o w e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld in s till w ith in u s a p ro p e r u n d e rs ta n d in g o f o u rs e lv e s a n d a p ro p e r u n d e rs ta n d in g o f y o u th a t w e m ig h t s e rv e y o u w e ll. T h a n k y o u , th a t y o u s e n t y o u r s o n to p u rc h a s e th e s a lv a tio n o f a s in fu l p e o p le th a t c o u ld n o t s a v e th e m s e lv e s. A n d w e p ra y th a t a s w e c o n s id e r y o u r c h a ra c te r in th is p a s s a g e th is m o rn in g a n d o u r re s p o n s ib ilitie s to re c e iv e y o u r c a ll a n d to m in is te r a s w e o u g h t, th a t y o u w o u ld im p re s s th e s e th in g s u p o n u s a n d in s tru c t u s , b u ild u s u p in th e f a ith . W e re m e m b e r th o s e w h o a re n o t h e re , th o s e w h o s e n a m e s a re lis te d o n th e c a le n d a r o f c o n c e rn . T h o s e w h o h a v e d if f ic u ltie s w h o s e n a m e s a re n ’t m e n tio n e d , w h o p e rh a p s h a v e n o t e v e n ex p re s s to o th e rs th e d iffic u ltie s th a t th e y a re e x p e rie n c in g . W e a s k th a t y o u w o u ld g iv e c o m fo rt. W e a s k th a t y o u w o u ld h e lp th e m to k e e p th e ir e y e s o n C h ris t, th e a u th o r o f p e rfe c to r o f fa ith a n d g a in c o m fo rt fro m h im . G a in c o m fo rt fro m th e k n o w le d g e th a t th e G o d w h o k e e p s , w h o w a tc h e s o v e r Is ra e l, w h o k e e p s Is ra e l, n e v e r s le e p s a n d w e h a v e th a t a s s u ra n c e a ls o . T h a t y o u r e y e is a lw a y s u p o n u s , y o u n e v e r ta k e it o f f o f u s a n d y o u r c a re is c o n tin u a lly b e in g e x te n d e d to u s . A n d b le s s u s n o w , w e p ra y , a s w e lo o k in to th e S c rip tu re s , th a t w e w o u ld h o n o r y o u a n d a ll th a t w e d o a n d th a t w e w o u ld b e e d ifie d th ro u g h th e w o rd th a t’s b e f o re u s . In C h ris t n a m e w e p ra y . A m e n [M e s s a g e ] F o r th e p a s t fe w w e e k s w e h a v e b e e n s tu d y in g th e c a ll o f M o s e s . G o d h a s a p p ea re d to h im a n d th e b u rn in g b u s h a n d c a ll h im o u t o f th e o b s c u rity o f a s h e p h e rd ’s life to b e th e d e liv e re r o f Is ra e l. B u t M o s e s h a s re s is te d . H e fe lt u n w o rth y , h e fe lt u n q u a lifie d f o r s u c h a ta s k . A n d th a t r e s p o n s e is n o t u n c o m m o n a m o n g g r e a t m e n o f th e c h u rc h . I k n o w I to ld th e s to ry a t le a s t o n c e , p e rh a p s m o re th a n
-4"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th a t, o f J o h n C a lv in ’s , C a ll to th e M in is tr y , b u t I’ll re p e a t it a g a in b e c a u s e I th in k it d o e s a p p ly to th is p a rtic u la r c irc u m s ta n c e . L ik e M o s e s c a ll, C a lv in ’s c a ll c a m e u n e x p e c te d ly w h e n h e w a s p a s s in g th ro u g h th e c ity o f G e n e v a . H e w a s a y o u n g m a n , b u t h e h a d a lre a d y m a d e a n a m e f o r h im s e lf w ith th e p u b lic a tio n o f th e f irs t e d itio n o f th e In s titu te s o f th e C h r is tia n R e lig io n. A n d s o w h e n W illia m F a rre ll le a rn e d th a t C a lv in w a s in to w n h e b e c a m e v e ry e x c ite d . W illia m F a rre ll w a s th e re f o rm e r w h o w a s a t th a t tim e , le a d in g th e R e f o rm a tio n in th e c ity o f G e n e v a , b u t h e u n d e rs to o d th a t it n e e d e d a m a n lik e C a lv in to c a rry it f o rw a rd . A n d s o h e s o u g h t h im o u t, h e fo u n d h im s ta y in g in a n in n , a n d h e u rg e d h im to s ta y in G e n e v a a n d m in is te r th e re . C a lv in , h o w e v e r, h a d o th e r p la n s . H e w a n te d to re tire to a q u ie t lif e o f re f le c tio n a n d s c h o la rly p u rs u its . H a d n o in te re s t in p a s to rin g a n d te a c h in g in a c h u rc h a n d s o h e re f u s e th e o f f e r. W h e n f e r a l p e rs is te d -a n d f e ra l w a s a k in d o f f e is ty m a n - h e p e rs is te d th a t C a lv in s ta y . C a lv in p ro te s te d , p le a d in g h is y o u th , p le a d in g h is in e x p e rie n c e , h is n e e d fo r fu rth e r tra in in g a n d p le a d in g th e fa c t th a t h e w a s tim id , h e w a s s h y , h e w a s n o t s u ite d fo r s u c h a p o s itio n . F in a lly fe ra l th re a te n e d h im w ith a c u rs e o f G o d if h e p re f e rre d h is s tu d ie s o v e r th e L o rd ’s w o rk . A n d th a t th re a t, s o te rrif ie d C a lv in th a t h e a g re e d to s ta y . In fa c t, s o m e y e a rs la te r, h e w ro te th a t h e fe lt a s if G o d fro m o n h ig h , h a d s tre tc h e d o u t h is h a n d . A n d s o h e h a d to b e c o m p e lle d in to th e m in is try . A u g u s tin e is a n o th e r in d iv id u a l w h o h a d to b e c o m p e lle d in to s e rv ic e . A fte r h is c o n v e rs io n in M ila n , h e re tu rn e d to h is h o m e in N o rth A fric a , w h e re , a s w h a t w e m ig h t c a ll a la y m e n . H e b e c a m e w e ll k n o w n fo r h is e ffe c tiv e d e fe n s e o f th e fa ith a g a in s t th e p o p u la r c u lt o f th e M a n ic h a e a n s . P ro b a b ly s o m e th in g lik e m o d e rn d a y n e w a g e m o v e m e n t. A n d h e d e f e n d e d th e f a ith a n d h e m a d e a n a m e f o r h im s e lf a s w e ll, b u t h e h a d n o d e s ire to b e a p rie s t. H a d n o d e s ire to b e o rd a in e d in to th e m in is try . H e w a s a fra id o f h ig h o ffic e , h e w a n te d in s te a d to s e c lu d e h im s e lf f ro m th e w o rld . H e liv e d , a ra th e r w o rld ly ,
-5"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
n o to rio u s life a n d h e w a n te d to b e a w a y fro m a ll o f th a t a n d liv e o u t h is life in a m o n a s te ry . B u t o n e d a y h e c a m e to th e to w n o f H ip p o in N o rth A fric a to v is it a frie n d , a n d w h e n th e b is h o p le a rn e d o f h is v is it h e in c ite d th e p e o p le . N o w th e re a s o n fo r th is is th e B is h o p o f H ip p o w a s G re e k , a n d h e d id n o t s p e a k th e lo c a l d ia le c t v e ry w e l l a n d h e c o u ld n ’t p re a c h a n d te a c h , a n d s o h e w a n te d a m a n w h o c o u ld a n d A u g u s tin e w a s a m a n w h o h a d b e e n tra in e d in rh e to ric , a s a m a n o f w o rd s . A n d s o h e in c ite s th e p e o p le a n d th e y g ra b b e d A u g u s tin e a n d th e y p u s h e d h im in to th e c h u rc h w h e re th e b is h o p f o r c e h im to b e c o m e a p r ie s t in th e c ity . A n d h e a c c e p te d it w ith te a rs in h is e y e s . T h a t w a s th e b e g in n in g , h o w e v e r, o f a m in is try th a t w o u ld a f f e c t th e c h u rc h th ro u g h o u t c e n tu rie s to c o m e . In f a c t, C a lv in is a m a n a s w e ll, a s L u th e r a n d o th e rs in d e b te d to A u g u s tin e . B u t h e h a d to b e c o m p e lle d in to th e m in is try . H e d id n ’t f e e l f it a s C a lv in d id n o t f e e l f it, b o th m e n h a d a s e n s e o f p e r s o n a l d is tr u s t o f th e m s e lv e s . W e ll, d is tru s t o f s e lf, h u m ility a n d a la c k o f a m b itio n fo r p o s itio n a re g o o d . A n d n e c e s s a ry fo r a n e ffe c tiv e m in is try . A n d p le a s e u n d e rs ta n d m e , w h e n I s p e a k o f th e m in is try o r s e rv ic e to G o d . I d o n ’t m e a n th a t w h ic h ta k e s p la c e in a p u lp it. W e a re a ll c a lle d to th e m in is try in o n e f o r m o r a n o th e r . B u t I th in k f o r a n y o f u s to b e e f f e c tiv e in th e c a ll th a t w e re c e iv e , w e m u s t h a v e a s e n s e o f h u m ility a n d a s e n s e o f la c k o f tru s t in o u rs e lv e s . T h a t’s im p o rta n t. A s F B M e y e r p o in ts o u t, th e re is a h id d e n lin e o v e r w h ic h s e lf -d is tru s t m a y n o t p a s s , le s t it b e c o m e u n b e lie f. W e ll, M o s e s c o m e s to th a t lin e o f u n b e lie f in h is re s is ta n c e to G o d ’s c a ll. H e ’s u n s u re o f h im s e lf, h e ’s d o u b tfu l th a t th e p e o p le w ill re s p o n d to h im if h e re tu rn s to E g y p t a n d s o h e g iv e s th e L o rd - ra th e r, th e L o rd g iv e s to h im th e a u th o rity , th e e v id e n c e o f h is d iv in e c a ll, th a t G o d h a d in f a c t, p u t h is h a n d u p o n h im b y d e c la rin g to M o s e s , th e n a m e th a t is h is . E x p la in in g to M o s e s , w h o it is th a t h a s s e n t h im . B e c a u s e a s y o u re m e m b e r M o s e s s a y s w h e n h e re tu rn s , th e y ’ll w a n t to k n o w w h o s e n t m e . “ W h a t’s y o u r n a m e ? ” , in o th e r w o rd s . N o w h e
-6"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
m e a n s m o re th a n th e n a m e . H e m e a n s th e m e a n in g o f th a t n a m e . A n d s o th e L o rd re s p o n s e to h im b y s a y in g , “ T h a t I a m J e h o v a h o r b e tte r, Y a h w e h .” IM a s s e n t y o u to th e m , h e w a s to s a y . T h e s e lf-e x is te n t, th e e te rn a l, u n c h a n g in g G o d w h o is s o v e re ig n o v e r h is c re a tio n a n d w ill k e e p th e p ro m is e s th a t h e h a s m a d e to th e fa th e rs , A b ra h a m , Is a a c a n d J a c o b . T h a t p ro m is e w h ic h h e g a v e s o m e 4 0 0 y e a rs p re v io u s to th is , in w h ic h h e s a id h e w o u ld b rin g th e m o u t o f s la v e ry in E g y p t, a n d h e w o u l d b rin g th e m in to th e p ro m is e la n d o f C a n a a n . N o w th a t’s g re a t e n c o u ra g e m e n t. T h e L o rd , th e IM is w ith h im a n d h a s g iv e n h im d iv in e a u th o rity f o r h is m is s io n . Y o u w o n d e r w h a t m o re c o u ld h e w a n t. H is G o d is s p e a k in g to h im o u t o f th e B u rn in g B u s h ; th is m ira c u lo u s d is p la y o f p o w e r. It a ll c o n f irm s e v e ry th in g th a t h e ’s s a id . H e ’s m a d e w o n d e rf u l p ro m is e s to h im . W h a t m o re d o e s h e n e e d ? B u t s till M o s e s h a d re s e rv a tio n s . A n d w e re a d in v e rs e o n e , th a t M o s e s s a id , “ W h a t if th e y w ill n o t b e lie v e m e o r lis te n to w h a t I s a y ? F o r th e y m a y s a y , th e L o rd h a s n o t a p p e a re d to y o u .” In o th e r w o rd s , it’s a ll w e ll a n d g o o d to c la im to h a v e s e e n th e B u rn in g B u s h , ju s t s p o k e n to G o d a n d to h a v e re c e iv e d h is n a m e a n d h is m e s s a g e , b u t w h o ’s g o in g to b e lie v e th a t w ith o u t p ro o f. A n d a t firs t g la n c e , h is c o n c e rn h a s s o m e m e rit. W e ’v e a ll h e a rd o f p e o p le w h o a lle g e d to h a v e s p e c ia l m e s s a g e s f r o m G o d o r w h o c la im to h a v e d ie d , g o n e to h e a v e n, v is ite d w ith th e s p irit w h o th e n s e n t th e m b a c k to th e liv in g w ith s o m e s p e c ia l m e s s a g e . It w a s n ’t a ll th a t lo n g a g o th a t O ra l R o b e rts c la im to s e e a 9 0 0 fo o t J e s u s w h o th re a te n e d h is life if h is fo llo w e rs d id n ’t re s p o n d w ith $ 8 m illio n fo r h is m in is try . S o m e o f th e s e c la im s a re to o rid ic u lo u s to b e lie v e . O th e rs p e rh a p s c a n ’t b e n e c e ss a rily d is p ro v e d . W e c a n ’t p ro v e , a t le a s t s c ie n tif ic a lly , th a t th e y d id n o t a c tu a lly s p e a k to a s p irit, s o m e th in g o f th a t n a tu re . B u t o n th e o th e r h a n d , th e re ’s n o re a s o n to b e lie v e s u c h c la im s w ith o u t a n y p ro o f. W o rd s w ith o u t a u th e n tic a tio n a re ju s t w o rd s a n d s o M o s e s s e e m s to h a v e a p o in t. E x c e p t th a t th e L o rd h a d ju s t to ld h im , “ T h e y w ill p a y h e e d to w h a t y o u s a y .”
-7"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
N o w w e c o v e re d th a t la s t w e e k. T h a t’s in c h a p te r 3 v e rs e 1 8 , a n d s o w e ’v e h a d a w e e k b e tw e e n th a t s ta te m e n t a n d th e re s p o n s e th a t M o s e s g iv e s h e re . W e s h o u ld re m e m b e r th is is a ll o n e c o n v e rs a tio n , a n d it’s , a s f a r a s w e c a n te ll, n o t a le n g th y c o n v e rs a tio n . S o h e ’s ju s t e x p la in e d to M o s e s , th a t th e p e o p le w ill b e lie v e w h a t y o u s a y , th a t’s a p ro m is e . A n d y e t M o s e s s a y s , “ B u t w h a t if th e y d o n ’t? ” In o th e r w o rd s , L o rd , w h a t if y o u ’re w ro n g ? S o M o s e s a t th is p o in t is n o lo n g e r s im p ly d o u b tin g h im s e lf , q u e s tio n in g h is o w n a b ility , h e ’s n o w c a llin g in to q u e s tio n th e v e ry w o rd o f G o d . A n d in d o in g th a t h e is c ro s s in g th e lin e . W e s h o u ld s a y , “ I c a n ’t.” I th in k th a t’s a h e a lth y a ttitu d e to w a rd s o n e s e lf . “ I d o n ’t h a v e th e a b ility , I c a n ’t.” B u t w e s h o u ld a lw a y s a d d , “ G o d c a n .” M o s e s is n ’t d o in g th a t, M o s e s is s a y in g , “ G o d , I c a n ’t a n d I re a lly d o n ’t th in k y o u c a n e ith e r.” B u t G o d d e a ls v e ry g ra c io u s ly w ith M o s e s a n d a c c o m m o d a te s h is w e a k fa ith b y g ra n tin g h im th e v e ry th in g th a t h e s e e m s to b e s p e a k in g h e re . A t le a s t o n th e s u rf a c e s e e m s to b e s a y in g , “ I n e e d s o m e s ig n s if I’m g o in g to d o th is .” a n d s o th e L o rd g iv e s h im th re e s ig n s . H e g iv e s h im p o w e r to d o s u p e rn a tu ra l w o rk s . A n d h e b e g in s w ith a q u e s tio n . A n d h e s a y s , in v e rs e tw o , “ W h a t is th a t in y o u r h a n d ? ” A n d h e s a id , “ A s ta ff. It’s ju s t a n o rd in a ry s tic k . A s h e p h e rd ’s s ta ff.” A n d th e n G o d c o m m a n d s h im to th ro w it d o w n , a n d w h e n h e d o e s it c h a n g e s in to a s n a k e . A n d e v id e n tly a p o is o n o u s s n a k e p ro b a b ly a c o b ra , b e c a u s e w h e n M o s e s s e e s it h e ’s te rrifie d a n d h e ra n a w a y fro m it. Y o u c a n ju s t s e e h im s ta n d in g s o m e 5 0 fe e t a w a y , e y e s a re w id e a n d h e ’s in a s ta te o f s h o c k . H e w a s n ’t e x p e c tin g to s e e th a t, b u t G o d c o m m a n d s h im to n o w re a c h o u t h is h a n d a n d g ra b it. A n d d o n ’t ju s t g ra b it, g ra b it b y th e ta il. N o w I d o n ’t k n o w th a t th e L o rd is in te n d in g h u m o r in a ll o f th is , b u t I c a n ’t h e lp b u t to b e a b it a m u s e d b y th is w h o le s c e n e . M o s e s th ro w s h is s ta f f d o w n a n d s u d d e n ly it’s a s n a k e , h e ru n s o ff a n d th e n G o d s a y s , “ N o w I w a n t y o u to p ic k it u p . P ic k it u p b y th e ta il.” N o w h e ’s ju s t re c e iv e d a s c a re o f h is life . A n d h e ’s a s k e d to d o s o m e th in g
-8"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th a t I d o n ’t th in k a n y s n a k e h a n d le r w o u ld d o a n d th a t’s p ic k a s n a k e u p b y th e ta il. It’s th e w o rs t p la c e to p ic k o n e u p . I d o n ’t k n o w th a t th e re is a g o o d p la c e to p ic k a s n a k e u p . B u t if o n e h a s to d o it, it’s b e h in d th e h e a d th a t o n e p ic k s th e s n a k e u p . B u t H e te lls h im , “ P ic k it u p b y th e ta il.” A n d M o s e s , o b e y s w ith o u t a n y in ju ry . A n d th e s n a k e re tu rn s to a s ta ff. A n d th e L o rd c o m m a n d s h im to p u t h is h a n d in s id e h is c lo a k. A n d w h e n h e w ith d re w it h e g o t a n o th e r s u rp ris e . R e a d in v e rs e s ix , “ B e h o ld , h is h a n d w a s le p ro u s a n d w h ite a s s n o w .” M u s t’v e w o n d e re d , “ L o rd , w h a t a re y o u d o in g to m e ? ” H e h is h a n d is n o w c o v e re d w ith le p ro s y , b u t th e n G o d c o m m a n d e d h im to p u t it b a c k in s id e th e c lo a k a n d w h e n h e w ith d re w it, b e h o ld it w a s re s to re d lik e th e re s t o f h is f le s h . T h o s e w o rd s “ b e h o ld ,” in b o th o f th o s e c o m m e n ts , a g a in , e x p re s s th e s e n s e o f s u rp ris e . S u d d e n ly it’s le p ro u s , b u t th e n s u d d e n ly it is g o n e , h e ’s h e a le d . T w o c o n v in c in g s ig n s . T h e y ’re d e s ig n e d to b rin g u n b e lie v in g Is ra e lite s to b e lie f a n d M o s e s c la im s a n d h is m e s s a g e in h is a u th o rity . B u t th e h e a rt o f m a n is n a tu ra lly h a rd o f s to n e . W e w o u ld th in k , “ W h a t w o u ld it ta k e to c o n v in c e p e o p le ? T h is is o b v io u s ly m ira c u lo u s , s u p e rn a tu ra l.” B u t if w e th in k th a t w e d o n ’t re a liz e h o w re c a lc itra n t, h o w d iffic u lt a n d h a rd e n e d m a n c a n b e to th e tru th a n d th e L o rd c e rta in ly k n o w s th a t. A n d s o , in c a s e th e Is ra e lite s c o n tin u e d in d is b e lie f G o d g iv e s a th ird s ig n . W e re a d in v e rs e n in e , “ B u t it s h a ll b e th a t if th e y w ill n o t b e lie v e e v e n th e s e tw o s ig n s o r h e e d w h a t y o u s a y , th e n y o u s h a ll ta k e s o m e w a te r fro m th e N ile a n d p o u r it o n th e d ry g ro u n d , a n d th e w a te r w h ic h y o u ta k e f ro m th e N ile w ill b e c o m e b lo o d o n th e d ry g ro u n d .” S o h e ’s g iv e n th re e s ig n s. T h e n u m b e r th re e m ig h t in d ic a te th e c o m p le te n e s s , th e f u lln e s s o f te s tim o n y . Y o u re a d th ro u g h th e la w o f Is ra e l s e e th a t it’s in th e G o s p e ls a s w e ll. W h e n o n e w a s to te s tify to th e tru th o f s o m e th in g p a rtic u la rly in a c o u rt o f la w , it m u s t b e d o n e w ith tw o o r m o re w itn e s s e s . A n d s o w e h a v e th re e w itn e s s e s to th e tru th o f M o s e s , c la im s a n d h is a u th o rity , s o n o o n e c o u ld p ro te s t th a t
-9"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
n o t e n o u g h e v id e n c e w a s g iv e n to s u p p o rt th e s e c la im s th a t h e h a d m a d e . W e m ig h t a s k w h y th e s e p a rtic u la r s ig n s w e re c h o s e n . T h e y ’re c a lle d s ig n s in d is tin c tio n to th e w o n d e rs th a t G o d h a s p r o m is e d to p e rfo rm . T h e a m a z in g e v id e n c e s o f p o w e r th a t h e w ill b rin g u p o n th e n a tio n o f E g y p t. S ig n s in d ic a te th a t s o m e th in g is b e in g s ig n ifie d , th a t th e re ’s s o m e m e a n in g b e h in d th e m , a n d s o w e m ig h t w o n d e r “ W h a t is th e m e a n in g ? B e y o n d th e f a c t th a t th e re a re o b v io u s ly m ira c le s o f th e s u p e rn a tu ra l. D o th e y h a v e s o m e s p e c ific m e a n in g ? T h e y m a y a n d I th in k th e y d o , b u t w h a t th a t is , is n o t c le a r. H o w e v e r, it h a rd ly s e e m s c o in c id e n ta l th a t th e re w o u ld b e a c o n n e c tio n b e tw e e n th e s e rp e n t o f M o s e s s ta f f a n d th e s e rp e n t th a t P h a ra o h w o re , a t le a s t th e s ty liz e d im a g e , o f a s e rp e n t th a t P h a ra o h w o re u p o n h is c ro w n . In E g y p t th a t s n a k e w a s a s y m b o l o f R o y a l a n d d iv in e p o w e r th a t th e P h a ra o h p o s s e s s e d d . A s y o u , I’m s u re a re a w a re , th e P h a ra o h o f E g y p t w a s c o n s id e re d b y th e E g y p tia n s to b e a G o d . A n d th e s e rp e n t th a t h e w o re o n h is c ro w n w a s th e te s tim o n y to th a t. A n d th e s c e p te r th a t h e w o u ld h o ld in h is h a n d w a s e m b le m a tic o f ro y a lty a n d p o w e r. S o w h e n M o s e s th re w d o w n a s im p le s h e p h e rd ’s s ta ff in c o n tra s t to th a t s c e p te r th a t th e K in g w o u ld ’v e h e ld a n d it tu rn e d in to a s e rp e n t. A n d th e n it re tu rn e d to h is s ta f f w h e n h e s im p ly p ic k e d it u p a n d p ic k e d it u p b y th e ta il, o f a ll p la c e s . It w o u ld s e e m th a t it w a s s ig n ifie d th a t M o s e s h a d d iv in e a u th o rity a n d d iv in e p o w e r o v e r w h a t th a t s e rp e n t re p re s e n te d , P h a ra o h h im s e lf . H e h a d b e e n g iv e n G o d ’s p o w e r o v e r th a t K in g . T h e s ig n o f th e le p ro s y b e in g m ira c u lo u s ly c a u s e d a n d c u re d a ls o s ig n if ie d G o d ’s p o w e r, b u t it m a y a ls o h a v e a m o re s p e c if ic m e a n in g f o r th e Is ra e lite s th e m s e lv e s . A n d th e m e a n in g w o u ld b e s o m e th in g lik e a w a rn in g . A w a rn in g a g a in s t u n b e lie f. A n d w e s e e th is th ro u g h o u t th e S c rip tu re s . T h a t w h e n G o d s h o w s h is d is p le a s u re , s o m e tim e s it is e x p re s s e d th ro u g h th e c u rs e o f le p ro s y . L e t m e g iv e y o u a c a s e in p o in t, a n d th e re ’s m o re th a n o n e c a s e to s u p p o rt th is . B u t y o u re m e m b e r th e in c id e n t in N u m b e rs c h a p te r 1 2 , w h e n f o llo w in g th e E x o d u s M ir ia m , a n d A a r o n c h a lle n g e d th e a u th o r ity o f
- 10 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
M o s e s . A n d s o it’s p u t to th e te s t. A n d G o d ju d g e d o f M iria m a n d h is d is p le a s u re , h is ju d g m e n t o n h e r w a s e v id e n c e b y th e fa c t th a t s h e b e c a m e a le p ro u s , a s w h ite a s s n o w . S o th e s e c o n d s ig n w a s a w a rn in g to th e p e o p le. A n d to M o s e s a s w e ll th a t th e re w e re s e rio u s c o n s e q u e n c e s to th e d is b e lie f o f G o d ’s w o rd . It m a y a ls o b e - a n d th is h a s b e e n a s u g g e s tio n o f s o m e - th a t it in d ic a te s th a t th e m e s s e n g e r o f G o d w a s to b e c le a n b e f o re h e c o u ld s e rv e , a n d th a t is c e rta in ly tru e a s w e ll. T h e tu rn in g o f th e N ile , w a te r to b lo o d , w a s a g a in a s ig n o f G o d ’s p o w e r o v e r E g y p t. T h e N ile h a s b e e n d e s c rib e d a s “ T h e lif e b lo o d o f E g y p t.” W ith o u t it a g ric u ltu re w o u ld d ry u p , a n d lif e w o u ld d is a p p e a r. A n d s o th is th ird w o n d e r s h o w e d th a t G o d c o u ld im p o s e h is w ill u p o n n a tu re , h e c o u ld ’v e im p o s e h is w ill u p o n th e n a tio n o f E g y p t, w h ic h h e w o u ld d o . A n d s o th is th ird s ig n f o r e s h a d o w s th e 1 0 p la g u e s th a t w o u ld c o m e u p o n th e la n d . S o M o s e s is g iv e n a b ility to p e rfo rm m ira c le s . W h ic h w o u ld b e p a rtic u la rly s ig n ific a n t to th e E g y p tia n s , a n d p a rtic u la rly s ig n ific a n t w h e n p e rfo rm e d in th e la n d o f E g y p t w h e re m a g ic ia n s a n d th e o c c u lt f lo u r is h e d . E g y p t h a s b e e n d e s c r ib e d a s “ T h e c la s s ic la n d o f m a g ic .” T h e p ra c tic e o f m a g ic w a s c e n tra l to th e E g y p tia n re lig io n w ith its b e lie f in m a n y g o d s . T h e E g y p tia n b o o k o f th e d e a d lis ts o v e r 5 0 0 g o d s in E g y p t. A n d b e c a u s e th e re w e re m a n y n o t o f th e m w e re in f in ite o r a b s o lu te . In f a c t, th e y w e re b e lie v e d to b e d e p e n d e n t u p o n th e m a te ria l a n d th e p h y s ic a l f o r th e ir e x is te n c e . S o th e G o d th a t M o s e s w ill b rin g to E g y p t, th e G o d th a t h e w ill re v e a l, th e o n e w h o h a s s a id th a t h e is th e IM , th e e te rn a l, s e lf -e x is te n t, im m u ta b le G o d is to ta lly d if f e re n t th a n th e g o d s o f E g y p t. T h e y w e re m u ta b le , th e y w e re n ’t s e lf-e x is te n t, th e y re a lly c o u ld n ’t b e c o n s id e re d e te rn a l. T h e y w e re d e p e n d e n t u p o n th e p h y s ic a l, u p on th e m a te ria l fo r th e ir e x is te n c e . Y o u s e e th is in th e b u ria ls o f th e p h a ra o h s . T h e y b rin g a ll th e ir e a rth ly g o o d s , in c lu d in g s u c h th in g s a s f o o d , s u c h th in g s a s b e e r a n d w in e . E v e ry th in g th a t th e y ’d e n jo y e d in th is lif e th e y to o k w ith
- 11 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th e m in to th e a f te rlif e b e c a u s e th e y h a d to h a v e it to s u s ta in th e m s e lv e s . B u t G o d ’s d if f e re n t. T h e G o d th a t M o s e s p ro c la im s , th e tru e G o d , is o n e G o d , n o t m a n y g o d s a n d s e lf -e x is te n t, s e lf -s u ffic ie n t. B u t E g y p tia n s b e lie v e d in n u m e ro u s g u id e s w h o w e re d e p e n d e n t u p o n c re a tio n . A n d s o h e c o m e s w ith th is G o d th a t w a s to ta lly d if f e re n t th a n th e irs , a n d h e ’s a b e n e v o le n t G o d . A G o d w h o c a re s fo r h is p e o p le . T h e g o d s o f th e E g y p tia n s w e re n o t c o n s id e re d b e n e v o le n t. T h e y w e re c o n s id e re d , f o r th e m o s t p a rt, to b e h o s tile . A n d s o b e c a u s e o f th a t th e E g y p tia n s e n g a g e d in m a g ic . A n d th e ir b e lie f in m a g ic w e re a tte m p ts to n e u tra liz e o r to a p p e a s e th e g o d s a n d th e ir a n g e r. A n d th e y d id th a t b y try in g to m a n ip u la te n a tu re . B y m a n ip u la tin g n a tu re th e y m a n ip u la te th e g o d s . A n d s o M o s e s w o u ld e n te r th is la n d o f m a g ic , n o t w ith m a g ic , b u t w ith th e p o w e r o f G o d . A t n o p o in t d o e s h e re c ite m a g ic fo rm u la s lik e th e E g y p tia n p rie s t w o u ld d o . M o s e s s im p ly s a y s , “ T h u s s a y s th e L o rd .” A n d th e n h e p ro c la im s a n d p e rf o rm s a m ira c le , a s u p e rn a tu ra l w o rk o f G o d . A n d th ro u g h th a t, th ro u g h h is s e rv a n t M o s e s G o d c o n tro lle d b o th m a n a n d n a tu re . A g a in , th e s ig n s te s tif ie d to th e n a m e o f G o d . W e m e n tio n e d th is la s t w e e k h o w G o d ’s n a m e is , a s w e s a id , IM , th e s e lf-e x is te n t, th e e te rn a l, im m u ta b le G o d a n d w h a t w e s e e th ro u g h o u t th e b o o k - w h a t w e s e e th ro u g h o u t th e w h o le B ib le u n fo ld s th e m e a n in g o f th a t n a m e , a n d illu s tra te s it. A n d c e rta in ly , th e s e w o rk s , th e s e th re e s ig n s th a t M o s e s b rin g s b a c k illu s tra te s w h o G o d is . H e c a n ’t b e m a n ip u la te d b y m a n , lik e th e g o d s o f E g y p t. H e is th e c re a to r. H e is tra n s c e n d e n t o v e r h is c re a tio n . N o w y o u u n d e rs ta n d w h a t I m e a n b y th a t w o rd “ T ra n s c e n d e n t” , d o n ’t y o u ? W e u s e d it la s t w e e k . I t m e a n s , h e ’ s o v e r th e c r e a tio n . H e ’s n o t p a rt o f th e c re a tio n . H e is n o t a c re a te d b e in g , a n d h e is n o t m a d e , a n d a n y p a rt o f h is b e in g f ro m th e c re a tio n f ro m th a t w h ic h is c re a te d . H e ’s e te rn a l. H e ’s tra n s c e n d e n t. H e ’s o v e r th e c re a tio n . N o w h e ’s a ls o im m in e n t. T h a t is , h e ’s w ith in th e c re a tio n . H e ’s o m n ip re s e n t. H e is n o t o n ly th e c re a to r o f it a ll, b u t h e ’s a s u s ta in e r
- 12 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
o f a ll. A n d h e c a n u s e it a ll a n d d o e s u s e e v e ry th in g w ith in th e c re a tio n to w o rk o u t h is w ill a n d h is p u rp o s e , w h ic h is th a t o f s a lv a tio n a n d g ra c e fo r h is p e o p le . T h a t’s a n e te rn a l tru th . T h e tra n s c e n d e n c e o f th e o n e G o d . B u t it is n o t o n ly a n e te rn a l tru th s th a t a p p lie s p a rtic u la rly a n d s p e c ific a lly to th is a n c ie n t p e o p le o f Is ra e l, a n d th is a g e n t c irc u m s ta n c e o f th e irs in E g y p t, b u t it h a s p a rtic u la r a p p lic a tio n , I th in k to u s , in o u r o w n d a y . P e rh a p s in c re a s in g ly s o w ith th e re v iv a l o f n a tu re w o rs h ip . T h e in te re s t a n d s p re a d o f p a n th e is m , w h ic h w a s re a lly n o d iffe re n t th a n w h a t th e E g y p tia n s b e lie v e , a n d m a n y o f th e a n c ie n t w o rld b e lie v e th a t th e g o d s w e re b a s ic a lly p a rt o f n a tu re . T o d a y , th a t’s a v e ry p o p u la r p e rs p e c tiv e a n d b e lie v e a b o u t G o d . If o n e h a s a v ie w o f G o d . O fte n tim e s , it te n d s to b e th a t G o d is e s s e n tia lly th e c re a tio n a n d th a t s o m e s e n s e w e o u rs e lv e s a re p a rt o f G o d . W a s it S h irle y M a c L a in e , p ro c la im e d h e rs e lf to b e G o d a n d a ll of you can be God. W e ll, a s w e h e a r th e s e th in g s , w e s h o u ld re m e m b e r w h a t h a p p e n e d in E x o d u s . R e m e m b e r w h o G o d is a n d w h a t h e s a y s a b o u t h im s e lf, b e c a u s e th a t w h ic h d is p ro v e s p a g a n is m , s o m e 3 5 0 0 y e a rs a g o d is p ro v e s it to d a y . T h e re ’s o n ly o n e G o d . W e ’re n o t h im . T h e c re a tio n is n o t G o d . H e is tra n s c e n d e n t o v e r h is c re a tio n . H e is th e IM , th e s e lf-e x is te n t e te rn a l im m u ta b le G o d , w h o h a s g iv e n h is c re a tio n m o ra l o rd e r, w h ic h n o o n e c a n re s is t w ith im p u n ity . H e w ill a lw a y s h a v e h is w a y , h e w il l a lw a y s p e rf o rm h is w ill. T h e E g y p tia n s w o u ld le a rn th a t a n d M o s e s h im s e lf w o u ld le a rn th a t b e fo re th is c o n v e rs a tio n is o v e r. A n d s o w ith th e s e th re e s ig n s M o s e s w a s g iv e n s u p e rn a tu ra l p o w e r, w h ic h d e m o n s tra te d c le a rly a n d c o n v in c in g ly th a t G o d w a s w ith h im . A n d th a t G o d h a d g iv e n h im d iv in e a u th o rity to p e rfo rm h is w o rk . A n d s o w ith th is M o s e s g rip s h is s ta ff in h is h a n d a n d h e s a y s , “ I’m re a d y . L e t’s g o b a c k to E g y p t, le t’s d o it.” A n d , o h , w h a t w e re a d in v e rs e 1 0 , is th e n M o s e s s a id to th e L o rd , “P le a s e , L o rd , I h a v e n e v e r b e e n e lo q u e n t, n e ith e r re c e n tly , n o r in tim e p a s t, n o r s in c e th o u
- 13 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
h a s t s p o k e n to th y s e rv a n t.” In o th e r w o rd s “ O v e r th e p a s t fe w m in u te s , I h a v e n ’t b e c o m e e lo q u e n t. I’m ju s t n o t e lo q u e n t. ” “ I’m s lo w o f s p e e c h a n d s lo w o f to n g u e .” A n o th e r a rg u m e n t. L ite ra lly , h e s a id , “ I a m h e a v y o f m o u th a n d h e a v y o f to n g u e .” N o w , w h e th e r h e w a s in d ic a tin g b y th a t th a t h e h a d a s p e e c h im p e d im e n t, th a t it w a s s o m e p h y s ic a l d is a b ility , o r th a t h e h a s s im p ly lo s t th e s k ill o f o ra to ry o v e r th e p a s t 4 0 y e a rs o f d e s e rt life , o f th is lif e o f s e c lu s io n , w o u ld n ’t h a v e m u c h c a ll to b e a g re a t s p e a k e r w h e n h e ’s s h e p h e rd in g s h e e p . P e rh a p s h e ’d lo s t h is g ift. O r ju s t, h e ’s p le a d in g h e re in e x p e rie n c e . H e ju s t d o e s n ’t k n o w h o w to s p e a k . T h a t’s th e p o in t u ltim a te ly . “ I a m n o t a p u b lic s p e a k e r. I a m n o t y o u r m a n .” A s th o u g h G o d c a n ’t u s e s o m e o n e in h is w e a k n e s s . In h is in e x p e rie n c e . G o d h a d ju s t m a d e it v e ry c le a r th a t h e ’s in c o m p le te c o n tro l o v e r th e w h o le c re a te d o rd e r m a n a n d n a tu re a lik e . M o s e s s p e e c h im p e d im e n t w a s n o im p e d im e n t to G o d a n d h is g o t e x p la in e d in v e rs e 1 1 , “ W h o h a s m a d e m a n ’s m o u th ? O r w h o m a k e s h im d u m b o r d e a f, o r s e e in g o r b lin d ? Is it n o t I th e L o rd ? ” In o th e r w o rd s , a s c re a to r, h e ’s s o v e re ig n o v e r h is c re a tio n . It’s th e w a y it is b e c a u s e G o d h a s o rd a in e d it a n d c re a te d th a t w a y a n d h e c a n o v e rc o m e a n y d iffic u lty b e c a u s e h e is th e c re a to r. S in c e h e m a d e M o s e s ’s m o u th , h e c a n m a k e it e lo q u e n t. A n d th a t’s th e a s s u ra n c e th a t h e is g iv in g to h im . T h a t’s h is p o in t. A n d y e t th is is a ra th e r s ta rtlin g w a y f o r G o d to m a k e h is p o in t. “ W h o m a k e s a m a n d e a f o r b lin d ? Is it n o t I th e L o rd ? ” L ite ra lly , th e te x t re a d s , “ W h o h a s s e t a m o u th in m a n , a n d s e t th e s e o th e r c o n d itio n s in m e n ? ” T h e w o rd c re a te is n o t u s e d h e re , b u t th a t’s c e r ta in ly th e s e n s e o f it a n d w e c a n fin d th e v e ry w o rd c re a te in o th e r te x ts th a t a re s o m e w h a t p ro b le m a tic a l lik e th is . I re fe r y o u to Is a ia h 4 5 :7 . N o w th is d o e s n ’t p re c lu d e s e c o n d a ry c a u s e s . N o r d o e s it re lie v e p e o p le o f re s p o n s ib ility . W o m e n , fo r e x a m p le , a re re s p o n s ib le f o r w is e p re n a ta l c a re a n d p re p a rin g f o r th e b irth o f th e ir c h ild re n . B u t w h a t th is d o e s a f f irm is th a t e v e ry th in g th a t h a p p e n s f its w ith in th e d e c re tiv e w ill o f
- 14 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
G o d . A s it is in e s s e n c e , o r it a t le a s t a ffirm s th e s ta te m e n t th a t P a u l m a k e s in E p h e s ia n s 1 :1 1 , th a t “ G o d w o rk s th in g s a f te r th e c o u n s e l o f h is w ill.” E v e ry th in g fits w ith in h is p la n . A n d w h ile w e m a y n o t u n d e rs ta n d th e re a s o n s fo r it. W e c a n k n o w th a t w h a te v e r o c c u rs is o rd a in e d b y G o d , w h o s e a ll w is e , w h o is a ll g o o d a nd a llo w s n o th in g to to u c h h is p e o p le . N e v e r th e le s s , I s u s p e c t th a t th e re a re m a n y w h o w o u ld lik e to ru b o u t th is v e rs e fro m th e B ib le . H o w c a n G o d c re a te d e a f c h ild re n ? A n d th a t s e e m s to b e w h a t h e ’s s a y in g . In fa c t, th a t's th e s ta te m e n t th a t H e m a k e s . D o e s n ’t s e e m to fit o u t c o n c e p t o f a b e n e v o le n t G o d , a G o d w h o is lo v e . B u t o f c o u rs e , w e c a n 't re m o v e th is v e rs e fro m th e B ib le o r w e c a n 't re m o v e o th e r v e rs u s th a t a re s im ila r to it. S o p e rh a p s th e p ro b le m , is n o t w ith th e B ib le , it’s n o t w ith th e L o rd . P e rh a p s th e p ro b le m is w ith o u r c o n c e p t o f th in g s. J o h n G e rs tn e r te lls o f a n e x p e rie n c e th a t h e h a d s o m e y e a rs a g o a s a p a s to r. In w h ic h a y o u n g c o u p le th a t h a d b e e n v e ry a c tiv e in th e c h u rc h h a d a c h ild b o rn d is f ig u re d . T h e y w e re , a s y o u c a n im a g in e , d e v a s ta te d b y th a t. A n d s o h e w e n t to v is it th e m a n d g iv e c o n s o la tio n . A n d w h e n h e a rriv e d , th e y p o u re d o u t o n h im a ll o f th e ir a n g e r. A n d th e y a s k e d , “ H o w c o u ld G o d d o th is to u s ? ” It d id n ’t s e e m f a ir. A n d s o h e s a y s h e w a s g la d th a t a t le a s t th e y p o u re d o u t th e ir a n g e r o n h im , G o d ’s s e rv a n t, ra th e r th a n G o d h im s e lf. B u t h e th e n s a t th e m d o w n a f te r th e y ’d e x p re s s th e m s e lv e s a n d h e ta lk e d to th e m . A n d h e a s k e d th e m w h a t th e y th o u g h t th e y d e s e rv e d . N o w th e s e w e re p e o p le w h o h a d a ffirm e d a b e lie f in th e g ra c e o f th e g o s p e l , in u n m e rite d fa v o r. T h e y w e re p e o p le w h o h a d s u n g m a n y tim e s th e h y m n in w h ic h T o p la d y w ro te . N o th in g in m y h a n d I b rin g . S im p ly to th y c ro s s I c lin g . A s G e rs tn e r w rite s , “ D id th e y re a lly b e lie v e d th a t th e y w e re p e o p le w h o d e s e rv e b e tte r tre a tm e n t? ” A n d th e p o in t th a t h e m a k e s in th is p a rtic u la r c h a p te r o f h is b o o k is th a t w h e n w e s ta rt to th in k th a t w e d e s e rv e h a p p in e s s , th a t w e d e s e rv e g o o d th in g s fro m G o d , th e n w e ’v e fo rg o tte n w h o w e re a lly a re , w h a t w e re a lly a re . W e ’re s in n e rs . W e ’re u n d e r th e ju d g m e n t o f G o d . W e
- 15 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
d e s e rv e n o th in g . W e d e s e rv e n o th in g th a t’s g o o d . T h e fa c t th a t w e o b ta in a n y th in g , w e re c e iv e a n y g o o d th in g is s im p ly th e w o rk o f th e g ra c e o f G o d . A n d s o h e e m p h a s iz e d th is p o in t, a n d a fte r s o m e p a s to ra l c o u n c il, h e w rite s th a t th e c o u p le c o n f e s s e d th a t th e y re a lly d id n ’t d e s e rv e a n y th in g . N o th in g g o o d fro m G o d , a t le a s t, a n d th e y b e c a m e p e n ite n t a n d th e y a s k e d th e L o rd ’s fo rg iv e n e s s . It’s n o t fo r u s to te ll G o d h o w to g o v e rn h is u n iv e rs e . H e h a s h is rea s o n s f o r a ll th a t h e d o e s a n d th e y a re g o o d re a s o n s . A n d th e re a re n u m e ro u s re a s o n s . W h o a re w e , f in ite c re a tu re s to e x p la in w h a t G o d o u g h t to b e d o in g ? A s h a rd a s it m a y b e , w e a re to a c c e p t b y fa ith w h e n h e g iv e s to u s . A c c e p t o u r p la c e in life a s c o m in g f ro m a g o o d a n d a w is e G o d , a n d w a it f o r th e d a y w h e n h e w ill s u p p ly to u s a ll o f th e a n s w e rs f o r w h a t h a s o c c u rre d . A s h a rd a s c irc u m s ta n c e m a y b e w e ’re to re c e iv e th o s e c irc u m s ta n c e s in f a ith a n d w h e n w e d o th a t, th e y tu rn o u t to b e b le s s in g s . A n d G o d u s e s th e m g re a tly in o u r life . W e ll th e s e w o rd s w e re to c o m e f ro m M o s e s . G o d w a s re a s s u rin g h im th a t h e k n e w h is d iffic u ltie s , n e w th e m b e tte r th a n M o s e s d id . H e k n e w h is h a n d ic a p s , h is d is a d v a n ta g e s . H e c re a te d h im w ith th e m . H e g a v e M o s e s h is m o u th . H e c a lle d h im in th a t c o n d itio n w ith th is h e a v y m o u th a n d h e a v y to n g u e . It w a s n o im p e d im e n t to h im . If h e c o u ld g iv e lif e to a d e a d s tic k lik e h e h a d w ith M o s e s ’s s ta ff, h e c o u ld c e rta in ly g iv e s p e e c h th a n M o s e s s ta m m e rin g to n g u e . O r s k ill to h is la c k o f e x p e rie n c e . S o th is w a s to b e a n e n c o u ra g e m e n t to M o s e s . A n d a s y o u th in k a b o u t it, it is a g re a t e n c o u ra g e m e n t. It’s a g re a t e n c o u ra g e m e n t to u s . Y o u d o n ’t h a v e to b e a p e rs o n w ith p h y s ic a l b e a u ty . Y o u d o n ’t h a v e to b e a p e rs o n th a t h a s a c le v e r m in d to b e u s e d o f G o d . Y o u o n ly h a v e to h a v e f a ith a n d G o d ’s tru th . H e b le s s e s h is w o rd . A n d h e ’s c a lle d M o s e s to c a rry h is w o rd b a c k to E g y p t a n d to h is p e o p le . A s fo r M o s e s d e fe c ts , G o d h a d c re a te d h im a s h e w a s . G o d k n e w h is n e e d s a n d h e w a s m o re th a n s u f f ic ie n t to s u p p ly w h a t h e n e e d e d . A n d s o w ith th is g e n tle re p rim a n d h e g iv e s M o s e s a g a in , h is
- 16 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
c o m m is s io n . W e re a d in v e rs e 1 2 , “ N o w , th e n g o a n d e v e n I w ill b e w ith y o u r m o u th a n d te a c h y o u w h a t y o u a re to s a y .” W e ll b y n o w M o s e s h a s ru n o u t o f a rg u m e n ts . H e ’s e x h a u s te d a ll o f h is a p p e a ls . A n d s o in v e rs e 1 3 , h e f in a lly s a y s , “ L o rd s e n d s o m e o n e e ls e .” N o re a s o n is g iv e n , w h ic h in d ic a te s th a t a ll o f h is o b je c tio n s w e re s im p ly e x c u s e s f o r a v o id in g th e w ill o f G o d . H e ju s t d id n ’t w a n t to g o . B e c a u s e in s p ite o f th e s iz e a n d th e w o n d e rs a n d in s p ite o f th e p ro m is e s th a t G o d h a d m a d e. H e s till la c k e d c o n fid e n c e a n d w h a t h e c o u ld d o th ro u g h th e p o w e r o f G o d . W h ic h is to s a y , h e la c k e d f a ith in G o d . A n d s o h e d id n ’t w a n t to le a v e th e d e s e rt . H e e v id e n tly b e c o m e a c c u s to m e d to th e s o litu d e . A c c u s to m e d to th a t q u ie t life o f re fle c tio n . H e p re fe rre d th a t to th e c h a lle n g e o f s e rv in g G o d , a n d tru s tin g h im in th a t s e rv ic e . N o w a ll th ro u g h th is d is c o u rs e , th is c o n v e rs a tio n th a t G o d h a s h a d w ith M o s e s G o d ’s b e e n v e ry p a tie n t. M e e tin g a ll o f h is e x c u s e s w ith a n s w e rs a n d re a s s u ra n c e s . T h e p a tie n ts h a s its lim its . A n d w ith th is f in a l o b je c tio n w e re a d th a t G o d ’s a n g e r b u rn e d a g a in s t M o s e s . It b u rn e d a g a in s t h is u n b e lie f. G o d c a n b e a n g ry . B u t s ti ll, G o d d e a ls w ith h im k in d ly . H e d e a ls w ith M o s e s a n d a v e ry g e n tle w a y a n d p ro v id e s a n a s s is ta n t fo r M o s e s a n d h is b ro th e r A a ro n . A n d th e L o rd s a y s , “ I k n o w th a t h e s p e a k s f lu e n tly . Y o u m a y b e c o n c e rn e d a b o u t h o w w e ll y o u s p e a k s o I’m g o in g to g iv e y o u a h e lp e r w h o s p e a k s w e ll. I k n o w h o w w e ll h e c a n s p e a k .” A s th e L o rd e x p la in s in v e rs e s 1 5 a n d 1 6 , E rin w o u ld b e M o s e s m o u th p ie c e . G o d w o u ld s p e a k to M o s e s a n d M o s e s w o u ld in s tru c t A a ro n w h a t to s a y . A s a L o rd s a y s in v e rs e 1 6 , “ Y o u s h a ll b e a s G o d t o h im .” M e a n in g , a s a p ro p h e t is G o d ’s m o u th p ie c e , s o A a ro n w o u ld b e M o s e s m o u th p ie c e . H e w o u ld b e in s u b m is s io n to M o s e s , w h o w o u ld b e A a ro n ’s s o u rc e o f re v e la tio n . B u t u ltim a te ly , o f c o u rs e , it c o m e s fro m G o d . G o d to M o s e s , M o s e s to A a ro n a n d A a ro n t o th e c o u rt o f E g y p t a n d th e p e o p le o f Is ra e l. T h e L o rd th e n c o n c lu d e s th e d is c o u rs e b y re m in d in g M o s e s to ta k e h is s ta f f b y w h ic h h e w o u ld p e rf o rm th e w o n d e rs , th e s ig n s to th e
- 17 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
p e o p le . It w a s a fu rth e r re a s s u ra n c e th a t G o d w o u ld g ra n t th e m is s io n s u c c e s s . A fu rth e r re a s s u ra n c e th a t G o d , in s p ite o f M o s e s ’s w e a k n e s s e s w a s s u ffic ie n t. B u t n o w , b e c a u s e M o s e s h a d re s is te d G o d , h e ’ll lo s e s o m e o f th e h o n o r th a t w o u ld h a v e b e e n h is h a d h e b e e n G o d ’s s o le re p re s e n ta tiv e . H e w ill n o w s h a re th a t w o u ld A a ro n . W h o in s o m e w a y s w o u ld p ro v e m o re o f a h in d ra n c e th a n a h e lp . It’s s im ila r to w h a t to o k p la c e in th e b o o k o f J u d g e s , w ith B a ra k , w h o la c k e d th e fa ith to g o o u t in b a ttle a g a in s t th e C a n a a n ite s b y h is s e lf. H e w a s a fra id to le a d th e a rm y o f Is ra e l u n le s s h e h a d th e p ro p h e te s s D e b ra w ith h im . A n d s o h e in s is te d th a t s h e b e w ith h im a n d th e L o rd g a v e to h im D e b ra , b u t a ls o th ro u g h th e p ro p h e te s s s a id to h im , th a t h o n o r th a t w o u ld ’v e b e e n h is th ro u g h v ic to ry w o u ld n o w b e g iv e n to a w o m a n . A n d s o M o s e s w o u ld l o s e s o m e th in g h e re . A n d y e t, h e ’ll s till g o . F o r a ll o f h is re s is ta n c e , G o d s till h a s h is w a y . A n d th e re ’s a le s s o n in th a t fo r u s . A n d th e le s s o n is , firs t o f a ll, it’s fo o lis h to re s is t G o d ’s w ill. W e c a n ’t, f o r t th e p u rp o s e o f G o d . H e ’s g o in g to h a v e h is w a y . A n d it’s w ro n g to d o u b t h is w o rd . G o d is s u f f ic ie n t a n d h e m e e ts a ll o f h is p ro m is e s a n d h e s u ffic ie n t fo r a ll o f o u r n e e d s . A n d h e c a n u s e a n y o n e w h o m h e c a lls in to h is s e rv ic e . Y o u m a y n o t th in k y o u h a v e a n y th in g to o ffe r G o d , b u t th e n c o n s id e r M o s e s . A ll h e h a d w a s a s im p le s h e p h e rd ’s s ta ff a n d y e t th e L o rd to o k th a t s tic k a n d u s e th a t m ira c u lo u s ly . H e s u p p lie s o u r n e e d s . A n d w e m a y th in k w e c a n b rin g v e ry little to G o d . B u t w h a t w e b rin g to h im h e c a n u s e a n y m ira c u lo u s w a y b e c a u s e h e ’s s u ffic ie n t a n d s o w e ’re s im p ly to o b e y h is c a ll. W e ’re s im p ly to b e lie v e h im , tru s t h im , s te p o u t in fa ith . M a y b e a c a ll a s d e m a n d in g o n u s a s le a v in g o u r h o m e a n d g o in g to a f o re ig n la n d to p ro c la im th e S c rip tu re s o r to re n d e r m e d ic a l s e rv ic e to p e o p le e ls e w h e re . M a y s im p ly b e th a t G o d w a n ts y o u to s e rv e h im w h e re y o u a re , in y o u r o ffic e , in y o u r h o m e , in y o u r n e ig h b o rh o o d . W h a te v e r y o u r c a ll is y o u ’re to re s p o n d a n d th e L o rd w ill s u p p ly th e n e e d s . W e m a y h a v e h a n d ic a p s , a n d w e a ll d o . N o n e
- 18 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
o f u s a re s u ffic ie n t. B u t n o n e o f th o s e h a n d ic a p s o r im p e d im e n ts a re im p e d im e n ts to G o d ’s p o w e r w ith in u s . T h e a p o s tle P a u l’s a c a s e in p o in t. H e re m in d s th e C o rin th ia n s in 2 C o rin th ia n s th a t p e o p le s a id o f h im th a t h is a p p e a ra n c e w a s u n im p re s s iv e . H is s p e e c h c o n te m p tib le . H e h im s e lf s a id th a t h e w a s u n s k ille d in s p e e c h . S o e v id e n tly , P a u l w a s n o t a n a ttra c tiv e p e rs o n . N o t th e k in d o f s p e a k e r th a t d re w c ro w d s . W o u ld n ’t h a v e b e e n a v e ry p o p u la r in d iv id u a l to d a y in th e c h u rc h . H e w a s n o t tra in e d in rh e t o ric th a t h e h a d k n o w le d g e w h ic h h e im p a rte d to th e m , a n d th a t’s w h a t G o d b le s s e s . H e b le s s e s h is tru th . A n d w h e n w e h a v e h is tru th , w e a re s im p ly to re s p o n d in f a ith a n d h e ’ll w o rk h is w ill. A u g u s tin e a n d C a lv in a n d o th e rs w h o a t firs t re s is te d th e c a ll to s e rv e G o d , to ta k e u p th e c h a lle n g e , a n d y e t fin a lly y ie ld e d , fin a lly o b e y e d w e re b le s s e d a n d g re a tly u s e d . S o w e c a n b e e n c o u ra g e d b e c a u s e G o d c a n u s e e a c h o f u s w h o h a v e p u t o u r fa ith in h im . S o a s w e c o n c lu d e , I a s k th e q u e s tio n ; h a v e y o u d o n e th a t? H a v e y o u p u t y o u r fa ith in C h ris t a s S a v io r? W e ’v e s p o k e n th is m o rn in g a b o u t s e rv in g G o d , o f re c e iv in g b le s s in g s , b u t th a t c a n o n ly b e e n jo y e d b y th o s e w h o a re h is ; th o s e w h o h a v e b e lie v e d in J e s u s C h ris t a s S a v io r a n d in s o d o in g h a v e e n te re d in to a re la tio n s h ip w ith G o d . B e lie v e d in th e o n e w h o m a s w e c e le b ra te in th is C h ris tm a s s e a s o n e n te re d in to h u m a n h is to ry w h e n h e to o k to h im s e lf a h u m a n n a tu re . W h e n h e b e c a m e a m a n fo r th e p u rp o s e o f d y in g o n th e c ro s s . D y in g a s a s u b s titu te fo r s in n e rs . R e c e iv in g in h im s e lf th e ju d g m e n t th a t w a s d u e to u s , w h o h a v e n e v e r b e lie v e d in h im , th e n I in v ite y o u to d o s o . B e lie v e in th e L o rd J e s u s C h ris t a n d e n te r in to lif e e te rn a l. A n d a c c e p t th e c a ll th a t h e is g iv e n to y o u w h ic h h e is g iv e n to e v e ry C h ris tia n ; to s e rv e h im w h e re v e r y o u a re in th e c a p a c ity th a t y o u c a n . L e t’s b o w n o w in a w o rd o f p ra y e r. [P ra y e r] F a th e r w e d o th a n k y o u fo r th e tru th th a t w e h a v e b e fo re u s ; th in g s w e ’v e c o n s id e re d . W e lo o k a t M o s e s , w e lo o k a t s o m e o f th e o th e r m e n o f h is to ry , w e a re re m in d e d o f o u rs e lv e s b e c a u s e w e a re n o t a p e o p le th a t o f o u rs e lv e s h a v e th e a b ility to d o th e
- 19 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th in g s th a t y o u c a ll u s to d o . W e c e rta in ly c a n ’t c h a n g e th e h e a rts o f p e o p le w h o re s is t th e tru th , b u t y o u c a n . A n d y o u c a n w o rk th ro u g h u s in m ig h ty w a y s . A n d s o w e a s k th a t y o u w o u ld g iv e u s fa ith . A n d g iv e u s c o n f id e n c e in y o u r tru th th a t w e m ig h t s e rv e y o u w e ll a n d s e rv e y o u f a ith f u lly . W e p r a y th e s e th in g s in o u r s a v io r ’ s n a m e . A m e n .
Exodus
" T h e C re d e n tia ls o f th e M e s s e n g e r "
T R A N S C R IP T
[M e s s a g e ] W e ’re c o n tin u in g in o u r s tu d y in th e b o o k o f E x o d u s , ra th e r th a n ta k e a s p e c ia l le s s o n o u t fo r C h ris tm a s, w h ic h y o u m a y h a v e e x p e c te d . B u t I b e lie v e D o c to r J o h n s o n is d o in g th a t. S o w e ’ll c o n tin u e w ith o u r s tu d ie s in E x o d u s c h a p te r 4 a n d lo o k in v e rs e s 1 th ro u g h 1 7 . A n d a s w e d o s o I’m s u re th a t c e rta in C h ris tm a s th e m e s w ill s u rfa c e a s w e e x p o u n d th e te x t. W e re a d , b e g in n in g w ith v e rs e o n e . “ T h e n M o s e s a n s w e re d a n d s a id , w h a t if th e y w ill n o t b e lie v e m e o r lis te n to w h a t I s a y/F o r th e y m a y s a y , th e L o rd h a s n o t a p p e a re d to y o u /A n d th e L o rd s a id to h im , w h a t is th a t in y o u r h a n d ? A n d h e s a id , a s ta ff/A n d th e n h e s a id , th ro w it o n th e g ro u n d /S o h e th r e w it o n th e g ro u n d a n d it b e c a m e a s e rp e n t, a n d M o s e s fle d fro m it/B u t th e L o rd s a id to M o s e s , s tre tc h o u t y o u r h a n d a n d g ra s p it b y th e ta il/S o h e s tre tc h e d o u t h is h a n d a n d c a u g h t it a n d it b e c a m e a s ta f f in h is h a n d /A n d th a t th e y m a y b e lie v e th a t th e L o rd , th e G o d o f th e ir fa th e rs , th e G o d o f A b ra h a m , th e G o d o f Is a a c , a n d th e G o d o f J a c o b h a s a p p e a re d to y o u /A n d th e L o rd , f u r th e r m o r e s a id th is h im , n o w th a t y o u r h a n d in y o u r b o s o m /S o h e p u t h is h a n d in h is b o s o m , a n d w h e n h e to o k it o u t, b e h o ld , h is h a n d w a s le p ro u s lik e s n o w /T h e n h e s a id , p u t y o u r h a n d in to y o u r b o s o m a g a in /S o h e p u t h is h a n d in to h is b o s o m a g a in . A n d w h e n h e to o k it o u t o f h is b o s o m , b e h o ld , it w a s re s to re d lik e th e re s t o f h is fle s h /A n d it s h a ll c o m e a b o u t th a t if th e y w ill n o t b e li e v e y o u o r h e e d th e w itn e s s o f th e firs t s ig n th e n th e y m a y b e lie v e th e w itn e s s o f th e la s t
-2"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
tim e /B u t it s h a ll b e th a t if th e y w ill n o t b e lie v e e v e n th e s e tw o s ig n s o r h e e d w h a t y o u s a y , th e n y o u s h a ll ta k e s o m e w a te r fro m th e N ile a n d p o u r it o n th e d ry g r o u n d , a n d th e w a te r w h ic h y o u ta k e fro m th e N ile w ill b e c o m e b lo o d o n th e d ry g ro u n d /T h e n M o s e s s a id to th e L o rd , P le a s e , L o rd , I h a v e n e v e r b e e n e lo q u e n t e ith e r re c e n tly , n o r in tim e p a s t, n o r s in c e th o u h a s t s p o k e n to th y s e rv a n t, f o r I a m s lo w o f s p e e c h a n d s lo w o f to n g u e /A n d th e L o rd s a id to h im , W h o h a s m a d e m a n ’s m o u th o r w h a t m a k e s h im d u m b o r d e a f , o r s e e in g o r b lin d ? Is it n o t I th e L o rd ? /N o w th e n g o a n d e v e n I w ill b e w ith y o u r m o u th a n d te a c h y o u w h a t y o u a re to s a y /B u t h e s a id , P le a s e , L o rd , n o w s e n d th e m e s s e n g e r b y w h o m e v e r th o u w ilt. T h a t is a d if f ic u lt e x p re s s io n o r v e rs e to tra n s la te in th e H e b re w te x t. It is b e e n g iv e n d if f e re n t in te rp re ta tio n s th a t N e w In te rn a tio n a l V e rs io n tra n s la te s th is , “ P le a s e , L o rd , s e n d s o m e o n e e ls e to d o it.” A n d th a t m a y b e a g o o d e x p re s s io n o f th e id e a , I th in k , a s y o u s e e w h a t fo llo w s th e c o n te x t, s e e m s to s u p p o rt th a t, if th a t’s n o t th e e x a c t tra n s la tio n , th a t d o e s s e e m to b e th e s p irit o f M o s e s re s p o n s e . H e ’s s till re s is tin g G o d ’s c a ll. “ T h e n th e a n g e r o f th e L o rd ’s w o rd a g a in s t M o s e s a n d h e s a id , “ Is th e re n o t y o u r b ro th e r A a ro n , th e L e v ite ? I k n o w th a t h e s p e a k s f lu e n tly /A n d , m o r e o v e r , b e h o ld , h e is c o m in g o u t to m e e t y o u ./W h e n h e s e e s y o u , h e w ill b e g la d in h is h e a rt./A n d y o u a re to s p e a k to h im a n d p u t th e w o rd s in h is m o u th ./A n d I, e v e n I w ill b e w ith y o u r m o u th a n d h is m o u th a n d I w ill te a c h y o u w h a t y o u a re to d o ./M o re o v e r, h e s h a ll s p e a k fo r y o u to th e p e o p le , a n d it s h a ll c o m e a b o u t th a t h e s h a ll b e a s a m o u th fo r y o u a n d y o u s h a ll b e a s G o d to h im ./A n d y o u s h a ll ta k e in y o u r h a n d th is s ta f f w ith w h ic h y o u s h a ll p e rf o rm th e s ig n s .” L e t’s b o w to g e th e r in a w o rd o f p ra y e r a n d a s k th e L o rd to b le s s th is tim e a s tu d y to g e th e r . L e t’s p ra y . [P ra y e r] F a th e r, w e th a n k y o u th a t w e c a n c o m e to g e th e r th is m o rn in g a s w e a n tic ip a te C h ris tm a s a n d a ll th a t it re p re s e n ts ; th e b irth o f y o u r s o n , th e S a v io r w h o m y o u s e n t to p u rc h a s e th e s a lv a tio n o f s in n e rs . A n d s o w e b e g in w ith th e a c k n o w le d g m e n t th a t th a t is w h a t
-3"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
w e a re . W e a re a s in fu l p e o p le . A n d in s a y in g th at a n d m a k in g th a t c o n f e s s io n , w e c o n f e s s th a t w e d e s e rv e n o th in g g o o d f ro m y o u . A n d a ll th a t w e re c e iv e , w e re c e iv e h is g ra c e a s u n m e rite d f a v o r, a s g if t. A n d w e p ra y th a t y o u ’d h e lp u s to u n d e rs ta n d th a t b e tte r b e c a u s e w e re a liz e th a t a s w e u n d e rs ta n d th a t tru th w e b e c o m e m o re in d e b te d to y o u a n d w e b e c o m e m o re a p t to s e rv e y o u fa ith fu lly . A n d s o w e p ra y th a t y o u w o u ld in s till w ith in u s a p ro p e r u n d e rs ta n d in g o f o u rs e lv e s a n d a p ro p e r u n d e rs ta n d in g o f y o u th a t w e m ig h t s e rv e y o u w e ll. T h a n k y o u , th a t y o u s e n t y o u r s o n to p u rc h a s e th e s a lv a tio n o f a s in fu l p e o p le th a t c o u ld n o t s a v e th e m s e lv e s. A n d w e p ra y th a t a s w e c o n s id e r y o u r c h a ra c te r in th is p a s s a g e th is m o rn in g a n d o u r re s p o n s ib ilitie s to re c e iv e y o u r c a ll a n d to m in is te r a s w e o u g h t, th a t y o u w o u ld im p re s s th e s e th in g s u p o n u s a n d in s tru c t u s , b u ild u s u p in th e f a ith . W e re m e m b e r th o s e w h o a re n o t h e re , th o s e w h o s e n a m e s a re lis te d o n th e c a le n d a r o f c o n c e rn . T h o s e w h o h a v e d if f ic u ltie s w h o s e n a m e s a re n ’t m e n tio n e d , w h o p e rh a p s h a v e n o t e v e n ex p re s s to o th e rs th e d iffic u ltie s th a t th e y a re e x p e rie n c in g . W e a s k th a t y o u w o u ld g iv e c o m fo rt. W e a s k th a t y o u w o u ld h e lp th e m to k e e p th e ir e y e s o n C h ris t, th e a u th o r o f p e rfe c to r o f fa ith a n d g a in c o m fo rt fro m h im . G a in c o m fo rt fro m th e k n o w le d g e th a t th e G o d w h o k e e p s , w h o w a tc h e s o v e r Is ra e l, w h o k e e p s Is ra e l, n e v e r s le e p s a n d w e h a v e th a t a s s u ra n c e a ls o . T h a t y o u r e y e is a lw a y s u p o n u s , y o u n e v e r ta k e it o f f o f u s a n d y o u r c a re is c o n tin u a lly b e in g e x te n d e d to u s . A n d b le s s u s n o w , w e p ra y , a s w e lo o k in to th e S c rip tu re s , th a t w e w o u ld h o n o r y o u a n d a ll th a t w e d o a n d th a t w e w o u ld b e e d ifie d th ro u g h th e w o rd th a t’s b e f o re u s . In C h ris t n a m e w e p ra y . A m e n [M e s s a g e ] F o r th e p a s t fe w w e e k s w e h a v e b e e n s tu d y in g th e c a ll o f M o s e s . G o d h a s a p p ea re d to h im a n d th e b u rn in g b u s h a n d c a ll h im o u t o f th e o b s c u rity o f a s h e p h e rd ’s life to b e th e d e liv e re r o f Is ra e l. B u t M o s e s h a s re s is te d . H e fe lt u n w o rth y , h e fe lt u n q u a lifie d f o r s u c h a ta s k . A n d th a t r e s p o n s e is n o t u n c o m m o n a m o n g g r e a t m e n o f th e c h u rc h . I k n o w I to ld th e s to ry a t le a s t o n c e , p e rh a p s m o re th a n
-4"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th a t, o f J o h n C a lv in ’s , C a ll to th e M in is tr y , b u t I’ll re p e a t it a g a in b e c a u s e I th in k it d o e s a p p ly to th is p a rtic u la r c irc u m s ta n c e . L ik e M o s e s c a ll, C a lv in ’s c a ll c a m e u n e x p e c te d ly w h e n h e w a s p a s s in g th ro u g h th e c ity o f G e n e v a . H e w a s a y o u n g m a n , b u t h e h a d a lre a d y m a d e a n a m e f o r h im s e lf w ith th e p u b lic a tio n o f th e f irs t e d itio n o f th e In s titu te s o f th e C h r is tia n R e lig io n. A n d s o w h e n W illia m F a rre ll le a rn e d th a t C a lv in w a s in to w n h e b e c a m e v e ry e x c ite d . W illia m F a rre ll w a s th e re f o rm e r w h o w a s a t th a t tim e , le a d in g th e R e f o rm a tio n in th e c ity o f G e n e v a , b u t h e u n d e rs to o d th a t it n e e d e d a m a n lik e C a lv in to c a rry it f o rw a rd . A n d s o h e s o u g h t h im o u t, h e fo u n d h im s ta y in g in a n in n , a n d h e u rg e d h im to s ta y in G e n e v a a n d m in is te r th e re . C a lv in , h o w e v e r, h a d o th e r p la n s . H e w a n te d to re tire to a q u ie t lif e o f re f le c tio n a n d s c h o la rly p u rs u its . H a d n o in te re s t in p a s to rin g a n d te a c h in g in a c h u rc h a n d s o h e re f u s e th e o f f e r. W h e n f e r a l p e rs is te d -a n d f e ra l w a s a k in d o f f e is ty m a n - h e p e rs is te d th a t C a lv in s ta y . C a lv in p ro te s te d , p le a d in g h is y o u th , p le a d in g h is in e x p e rie n c e , h is n e e d fo r fu rth e r tra in in g a n d p le a d in g th e fa c t th a t h e w a s tim id , h e w a s s h y , h e w a s n o t s u ite d fo r s u c h a p o s itio n . F in a lly fe ra l th re a te n e d h im w ith a c u rs e o f G o d if h e p re f e rre d h is s tu d ie s o v e r th e L o rd ’s w o rk . A n d th a t th re a t, s o te rrif ie d C a lv in th a t h e a g re e d to s ta y . In fa c t, s o m e y e a rs la te r, h e w ro te th a t h e fe lt a s if G o d fro m o n h ig h , h a d s tre tc h e d o u t h is h a n d . A n d s o h e h a d to b e c o m p e lle d in to th e m in is try . A u g u s tin e is a n o th e r in d iv id u a l w h o h a d to b e c o m p e lle d in to s e rv ic e . A fte r h is c o n v e rs io n in M ila n , h e re tu rn e d to h is h o m e in N o rth A fric a , w h e re , a s w h a t w e m ig h t c a ll a la y m e n . H e b e c a m e w e ll k n o w n fo r h is e ffe c tiv e d e fe n s e o f th e fa ith a g a in s t th e p o p u la r c u lt o f th e M a n ic h a e a n s . P ro b a b ly s o m e th in g lik e m o d e rn d a y n e w a g e m o v e m e n t. A n d h e d e f e n d e d th e f a ith a n d h e m a d e a n a m e f o r h im s e lf a s w e ll, b u t h e h a d n o d e s ire to b e a p rie s t. H a d n o d e s ire to b e o rd a in e d in to th e m in is try . H e w a s a fra id o f h ig h o ffic e , h e w a n te d in s te a d to s e c lu d e h im s e lf f ro m th e w o rld . H e liv e d , a ra th e r w o rld ly ,
-5"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
n o to rio u s life a n d h e w a n te d to b e a w a y fro m a ll o f th a t a n d liv e o u t h is life in a m o n a s te ry . B u t o n e d a y h e c a m e to th e to w n o f H ip p o in N o rth A fric a to v is it a frie n d , a n d w h e n th e b is h o p le a rn e d o f h is v is it h e in c ite d th e p e o p le . N o w th e re a s o n fo r th is is th e B is h o p o f H ip p o w a s G re e k , a n d h e d id n o t s p e a k th e lo c a l d ia le c t v e ry w e l l a n d h e c o u ld n ’t p re a c h a n d te a c h , a n d s o h e w a n te d a m a n w h o c o u ld a n d A u g u s tin e w a s a m a n w h o h a d b e e n tra in e d in rh e to ric , a s a m a n o f w o rd s . A n d s o h e in c ite s th e p e o p le a n d th e y g ra b b e d A u g u s tin e a n d th e y p u s h e d h im in to th e c h u rc h w h e re th e b is h o p f o r c e h im to b e c o m e a p r ie s t in th e c ity . A n d h e a c c e p te d it w ith te a rs in h is e y e s . T h a t w a s th e b e g in n in g , h o w e v e r, o f a m in is try th a t w o u ld a f f e c t th e c h u rc h th ro u g h o u t c e n tu rie s to c o m e . In f a c t, C a lv in is a m a n a s w e ll, a s L u th e r a n d o th e rs in d e b te d to A u g u s tin e . B u t h e h a d to b e c o m p e lle d in to th e m in is try . H e d id n ’t f e e l f it a s C a lv in d id n o t f e e l f it, b o th m e n h a d a s e n s e o f p e r s o n a l d is tr u s t o f th e m s e lv e s . W e ll, d is tru s t o f s e lf, h u m ility a n d a la c k o f a m b itio n fo r p o s itio n a re g o o d . A n d n e c e s s a ry fo r a n e ffe c tiv e m in is try . A n d p le a s e u n d e rs ta n d m e , w h e n I s p e a k o f th e m in is try o r s e rv ic e to G o d . I d o n ’t m e a n th a t w h ic h ta k e s p la c e in a p u lp it. W e a re a ll c a lle d to th e m in is try in o n e f o r m o r a n o th e r . B u t I th in k f o r a n y o f u s to b e e f f e c tiv e in th e c a ll th a t w e re c e iv e , w e m u s t h a v e a s e n s e o f h u m ility a n d a s e n s e o f la c k o f tru s t in o u rs e lv e s . T h a t’s im p o rta n t. A s F B M e y e r p o in ts o u t, th e re is a h id d e n lin e o v e r w h ic h s e lf -d is tru s t m a y n o t p a s s , le s t it b e c o m e u n b e lie f. W e ll, M o s e s c o m e s to th a t lin e o f u n b e lie f in h is re s is ta n c e to G o d ’s c a ll. H e ’s u n s u re o f h im s e lf, h e ’s d o u b tfu l th a t th e p e o p le w ill re s p o n d to h im if h e re tu rn s to E g y p t a n d s o h e g iv e s th e L o rd - ra th e r, th e L o rd g iv e s to h im th e a u th o rity , th e e v id e n c e o f h is d iv in e c a ll, th a t G o d h a d in f a c t, p u t h is h a n d u p o n h im b y d e c la rin g to M o s e s , th e n a m e th a t is h is . E x p la in in g to M o s e s , w h o it is th a t h a s s e n t h im . B e c a u s e a s y o u re m e m b e r M o s e s s a y s w h e n h e re tu rn s , th e y ’ll w a n t to k n o w w h o s e n t m e . “ W h a t’s y o u r n a m e ? ” , in o th e r w o rd s . N o w h e
-6"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
m e a n s m o re th a n th e n a m e . H e m e a n s th e m e a n in g o f th a t n a m e . A n d s o th e L o rd re s p o n s e to h im b y s a y in g , “ T h a t I a m J e h o v a h o r b e tte r, Y a h w e h .” IM a s s e n t y o u to th e m , h e w a s to s a y . T h e s e lf-e x is te n t, th e e te rn a l, u n c h a n g in g G o d w h o is s o v e re ig n o v e r h is c re a tio n a n d w ill k e e p th e p ro m is e s th a t h e h a s m a d e to th e fa th e rs , A b ra h a m , Is a a c a n d J a c o b . T h a t p ro m is e w h ic h h e g a v e s o m e 4 0 0 y e a rs p re v io u s to th is , in w h ic h h e s a id h e w o u ld b rin g th e m o u t o f s la v e ry in E g y p t, a n d h e w o u l d b rin g th e m in to th e p ro m is e la n d o f C a n a a n . N o w th a t’s g re a t e n c o u ra g e m e n t. T h e L o rd , th e IM is w ith h im a n d h a s g iv e n h im d iv in e a u th o rity f o r h is m is s io n . Y o u w o n d e r w h a t m o re c o u ld h e w a n t. H is G o d is s p e a k in g to h im o u t o f th e B u rn in g B u s h ; th is m ira c u lo u s d is p la y o f p o w e r. It a ll c o n f irm s e v e ry th in g th a t h e ’s s a id . H e ’s m a d e w o n d e rf u l p ro m is e s to h im . W h a t m o re d o e s h e n e e d ? B u t s till M o s e s h a d re s e rv a tio n s . A n d w e re a d in v e rs e o n e , th a t M o s e s s a id , “ W h a t if th e y w ill n o t b e lie v e m e o r lis te n to w h a t I s a y ? F o r th e y m a y s a y , th e L o rd h a s n o t a p p e a re d to y o u .” In o th e r w o rd s , it’s a ll w e ll a n d g o o d to c la im to h a v e s e e n th e B u rn in g B u s h , ju s t s p o k e n to G o d a n d to h a v e re c e iv e d h is n a m e a n d h is m e s s a g e , b u t w h o ’s g o in g to b e lie v e th a t w ith o u t p ro o f. A n d a t firs t g la n c e , h is c o n c e rn h a s s o m e m e rit. W e ’v e a ll h e a rd o f p e o p le w h o a lle g e d to h a v e s p e c ia l m e s s a g e s f r o m G o d o r w h o c la im to h a v e d ie d , g o n e to h e a v e n, v is ite d w ith th e s p irit w h o th e n s e n t th e m b a c k to th e liv in g w ith s o m e s p e c ia l m e s s a g e . It w a s n ’t a ll th a t lo n g a g o th a t O ra l R o b e rts c la im to s e e a 9 0 0 fo o t J e s u s w h o th re a te n e d h is life if h is fo llo w e rs d id n ’t re s p o n d w ith $ 8 m illio n fo r h is m in is try . S o m e o f th e s e c la im s a re to o rid ic u lo u s to b e lie v e . O th e rs p e rh a p s c a n ’t b e n e c e ss a rily d is p ro v e d . W e c a n ’t p ro v e , a t le a s t s c ie n tif ic a lly , th a t th e y d id n o t a c tu a lly s p e a k to a s p irit, s o m e th in g o f th a t n a tu re . B u t o n th e o th e r h a n d , th e re ’s n o re a s o n to b e lie v e s u c h c la im s w ith o u t a n y p ro o f. W o rd s w ith o u t a u th e n tic a tio n a re ju s t w o rd s a n d s o M o s e s s e e m s to h a v e a p o in t. E x c e p t th a t th e L o rd h a d ju s t to ld h im , “ T h e y w ill p a y h e e d to w h a t y o u s a y .”
-7"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
N o w w e c o v e re d th a t la s t w e e k. T h a t’s in c h a p te r 3 v e rs e 1 8 , a n d s o w e ’v e h a d a w e e k b e tw e e n th a t s ta te m e n t a n d th e re s p o n s e th a t M o s e s g iv e s h e re . W e s h o u ld re m e m b e r th is is a ll o n e c o n v e rs a tio n , a n d it’s , a s f a r a s w e c a n te ll, n o t a le n g th y c o n v e rs a tio n . S o h e ’s ju s t e x p la in e d to M o s e s , th a t th e p e o p le w ill b e lie v e w h a t y o u s a y , th a t’s a p ro m is e . A n d y e t M o s e s s a y s , “ B u t w h a t if th e y d o n ’t? ” In o th e r w o rd s , L o rd , w h a t if y o u ’re w ro n g ? S o M o s e s a t th is p o in t is n o lo n g e r s im p ly d o u b tin g h im s e lf , q u e s tio n in g h is o w n a b ility , h e ’s n o w c a llin g in to q u e s tio n th e v e ry w o rd o f G o d . A n d in d o in g th a t h e is c ro s s in g th e lin e . W e s h o u ld s a y , “ I c a n ’t.” I th in k th a t’s a h e a lth y a ttitu d e to w a rd s o n e s e lf . “ I d o n ’t h a v e th e a b ility , I c a n ’t.” B u t w e s h o u ld a lw a y s a d d , “ G o d c a n .” M o s e s is n ’t d o in g th a t, M o s e s is s a y in g , “ G o d , I c a n ’t a n d I re a lly d o n ’t th in k y o u c a n e ith e r.” B u t G o d d e a ls v e ry g ra c io u s ly w ith M o s e s a n d a c c o m m o d a te s h is w e a k fa ith b y g ra n tin g h im th e v e ry th in g th a t h e s e e m s to b e s p e a k in g h e re . A t le a s t o n th e s u rf a c e s e e m s to b e s a y in g , “ I n e e d s o m e s ig n s if I’m g o in g to d o th is .” a n d s o th e L o rd g iv e s h im th re e s ig n s . H e g iv e s h im p o w e r to d o s u p e rn a tu ra l w o rk s . A n d h e b e g in s w ith a q u e s tio n . A n d h e s a y s , in v e rs e tw o , “ W h a t is th a t in y o u r h a n d ? ” A n d h e s a id , “ A s ta ff. It’s ju s t a n o rd in a ry s tic k . A s h e p h e rd ’s s ta ff.” A n d th e n G o d c o m m a n d s h im to th ro w it d o w n , a n d w h e n h e d o e s it c h a n g e s in to a s n a k e . A n d e v id e n tly a p o is o n o u s s n a k e p ro b a b ly a c o b ra , b e c a u s e w h e n M o s e s s e e s it h e ’s te rrifie d a n d h e ra n a w a y fro m it. Y o u c a n ju s t s e e h im s ta n d in g s o m e 5 0 fe e t a w a y , e y e s a re w id e a n d h e ’s in a s ta te o f s h o c k . H e w a s n ’t e x p e c tin g to s e e th a t, b u t G o d c o m m a n d s h im to n o w re a c h o u t h is h a n d a n d g ra b it. A n d d o n ’t ju s t g ra b it, g ra b it b y th e ta il. N o w I d o n ’t k n o w th a t th e L o rd is in te n d in g h u m o r in a ll o f th is , b u t I c a n ’t h e lp b u t to b e a b it a m u s e d b y th is w h o le s c e n e . M o s e s th ro w s h is s ta f f d o w n a n d s u d d e n ly it’s a s n a k e , h e ru n s o ff a n d th e n G o d s a y s , “ N o w I w a n t y o u to p ic k it u p . P ic k it u p b y th e ta il.” N o w h e ’s ju s t re c e iv e d a s c a re o f h is life . A n d h e ’s a s k e d to d o s o m e th in g
-8"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th a t I d o n ’t th in k a n y s n a k e h a n d le r w o u ld d o a n d th a t’s p ic k a s n a k e u p b y th e ta il. It’s th e w o rs t p la c e to p ic k o n e u p . I d o n ’t k n o w th a t th e re is a g o o d p la c e to p ic k a s n a k e u p . B u t if o n e h a s to d o it, it’s b e h in d th e h e a d th a t o n e p ic k s th e s n a k e u p . B u t H e te lls h im , “ P ic k it u p b y th e ta il.” A n d M o s e s , o b e y s w ith o u t a n y in ju ry . A n d th e s n a k e re tu rn s to a s ta ff. A n d th e L o rd c o m m a n d s h im to p u t h is h a n d in s id e h is c lo a k. A n d w h e n h e w ith d re w it h e g o t a n o th e r s u rp ris e . R e a d in v e rs e s ix , “ B e h o ld , h is h a n d w a s le p ro u s a n d w h ite a s s n o w .” M u s t’v e w o n d e re d , “ L o rd , w h a t a re y o u d o in g to m e ? ” H e h is h a n d is n o w c o v e re d w ith le p ro s y , b u t th e n G o d c o m m a n d e d h im to p u t it b a c k in s id e th e c lo a k a n d w h e n h e w ith d re w it, b e h o ld it w a s re s to re d lik e th e re s t o f h is f le s h . T h o s e w o rd s “ b e h o ld ,” in b o th o f th o s e c o m m e n ts , a g a in , e x p re s s th e s e n s e o f s u rp ris e . S u d d e n ly it’s le p ro u s , b u t th e n s u d d e n ly it is g o n e , h e ’s h e a le d . T w o c o n v in c in g s ig n s . T h e y ’re d e s ig n e d to b rin g u n b e lie v in g Is ra e lite s to b e lie f a n d M o s e s c la im s a n d h is m e s s a g e in h is a u th o rity . B u t th e h e a rt o f m a n is n a tu ra lly h a rd o f s to n e . W e w o u ld th in k , “ W h a t w o u ld it ta k e to c o n v in c e p e o p le ? T h is is o b v io u s ly m ira c u lo u s , s u p e rn a tu ra l.” B u t if w e th in k th a t w e d o n ’t re a liz e h o w re c a lc itra n t, h o w d iffic u lt a n d h a rd e n e d m a n c a n b e to th e tru th a n d th e L o rd c e rta in ly k n o w s th a t. A n d s o , in c a s e th e Is ra e lite s c o n tin u e d in d is b e lie f G o d g iv e s a th ird s ig n . W e re a d in v e rs e n in e , “ B u t it s h a ll b e th a t if th e y w ill n o t b e lie v e e v e n th e s e tw o s ig n s o r h e e d w h a t y o u s a y , th e n y o u s h a ll ta k e s o m e w a te r fro m th e N ile a n d p o u r it o n th e d ry g ro u n d , a n d th e w a te r w h ic h y o u ta k e f ro m th e N ile w ill b e c o m e b lo o d o n th e d ry g ro u n d .” S o h e ’s g iv e n th re e s ig n s. T h e n u m b e r th re e m ig h t in d ic a te th e c o m p le te n e s s , th e f u lln e s s o f te s tim o n y . Y o u re a d th ro u g h th e la w o f Is ra e l s e e th a t it’s in th e G o s p e ls a s w e ll. W h e n o n e w a s to te s tify to th e tru th o f s o m e th in g p a rtic u la rly in a c o u rt o f la w , it m u s t b e d o n e w ith tw o o r m o re w itn e s s e s . A n d s o w e h a v e th re e w itn e s s e s to th e tru th o f M o s e s , c la im s a n d h is a u th o rity , s o n o o n e c o u ld p ro te s t th a t
-9"The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
n o t e n o u g h e v id e n c e w a s g iv e n to s u p p o rt th e s e c la im s th a t h e h a d m a d e . W e m ig h t a s k w h y th e s e p a rtic u la r s ig n s w e re c h o s e n . T h e y ’re c a lle d s ig n s in d is tin c tio n to th e w o n d e rs th a t G o d h a s p r o m is e d to p e rfo rm . T h e a m a z in g e v id e n c e s o f p o w e r th a t h e w ill b rin g u p o n th e n a tio n o f E g y p t. S ig n s in d ic a te th a t s o m e th in g is b e in g s ig n ifie d , th a t th e re ’s s o m e m e a n in g b e h in d th e m , a n d s o w e m ig h t w o n d e r “ W h a t is th e m e a n in g ? B e y o n d th e f a c t th a t th e re a re o b v io u s ly m ira c le s o f th e s u p e rn a tu ra l. D o th e y h a v e s o m e s p e c ific m e a n in g ? T h e y m a y a n d I th in k th e y d o , b u t w h a t th a t is , is n o t c le a r. H o w e v e r, it h a rd ly s e e m s c o in c id e n ta l th a t th e re w o u ld b e a c o n n e c tio n b e tw e e n th e s e rp e n t o f M o s e s s ta f f a n d th e s e rp e n t th a t P h a ra o h w o re , a t le a s t th e s ty liz e d im a g e , o f a s e rp e n t th a t P h a ra o h w o re u p o n h is c ro w n . In E g y p t th a t s n a k e w a s a s y m b o l o f R o y a l a n d d iv in e p o w e r th a t th e P h a ra o h p o s s e s s e d d . A s y o u , I’m s u re a re a w a re , th e P h a ra o h o f E g y p t w a s c o n s id e re d b y th e E g y p tia n s to b e a G o d . A n d th e s e rp e n t th a t h e w o re o n h is c ro w n w a s th e te s tim o n y to th a t. A n d th e s c e p te r th a t h e w o u ld h o ld in h is h a n d w a s e m b le m a tic o f ro y a lty a n d p o w e r. S o w h e n M o s e s th re w d o w n a s im p le s h e p h e rd ’s s ta ff in c o n tra s t to th a t s c e p te r th a t th e K in g w o u ld ’v e h e ld a n d it tu rn e d in to a s e rp e n t. A n d th e n it re tu rn e d to h is s ta f f w h e n h e s im p ly p ic k e d it u p a n d p ic k e d it u p b y th e ta il, o f a ll p la c e s . It w o u ld s e e m th a t it w a s s ig n ifie d th a t M o s e s h a d d iv in e a u th o rity a n d d iv in e p o w e r o v e r w h a t th a t s e rp e n t re p re s e n te d , P h a ra o h h im s e lf . H e h a d b e e n g iv e n G o d ’s p o w e r o v e r th a t K in g . T h e s ig n o f th e le p ro s y b e in g m ira c u lo u s ly c a u s e d a n d c u re d a ls o s ig n if ie d G o d ’s p o w e r, b u t it m a y a ls o h a v e a m o re s p e c if ic m e a n in g f o r th e Is ra e lite s th e m s e lv e s . A n d th e m e a n in g w o u ld b e s o m e th in g lik e a w a rn in g . A w a rn in g a g a in s t u n b e lie f. A n d w e s e e th is th ro u g h o u t th e S c rip tu re s . T h a t w h e n G o d s h o w s h is d is p le a s u re , s o m e tim e s it is e x p re s s e d th ro u g h th e c u rs e o f le p ro s y . L e t m e g iv e y o u a c a s e in p o in t, a n d th e re ’s m o re th a n o n e c a s e to s u p p o rt th is . B u t y o u re m e m b e r th e in c id e n t in N u m b e rs c h a p te r 1 2 , w h e n f o llo w in g th e E x o d u s M ir ia m , a n d A a r o n c h a lle n g e d th e a u th o r ity o f
- 10 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
M o s e s . A n d s o it’s p u t to th e te s t. A n d G o d ju d g e d o f M iria m a n d h is d is p le a s u re , h is ju d g m e n t o n h e r w a s e v id e n c e b y th e fa c t th a t s h e b e c a m e a le p ro u s , a s w h ite a s s n o w . S o th e s e c o n d s ig n w a s a w a rn in g to th e p e o p le. A n d to M o s e s a s w e ll th a t th e re w e re s e rio u s c o n s e q u e n c e s to th e d is b e lie f o f G o d ’s w o rd . It m a y a ls o b e - a n d th is h a s b e e n a s u g g e s tio n o f s o m e - th a t it in d ic a te s th a t th e m e s s e n g e r o f G o d w a s to b e c le a n b e f o re h e c o u ld s e rv e , a n d th a t is c e rta in ly tru e a s w e ll. T h e tu rn in g o f th e N ile , w a te r to b lo o d , w a s a g a in a s ig n o f G o d ’s p o w e r o v e r E g y p t. T h e N ile h a s b e e n d e s c rib e d a s “ T h e lif e b lo o d o f E g y p t.” W ith o u t it a g ric u ltu re w o u ld d ry u p , a n d lif e w o u ld d is a p p e a r. A n d s o th is th ird w o n d e r s h o w e d th a t G o d c o u ld im p o s e h is w ill u p o n n a tu re , h e c o u ld ’v e im p o s e h is w ill u p o n th e n a tio n o f E g y p t, w h ic h h e w o u ld d o . A n d s o th is th ird s ig n f o r e s h a d o w s th e 1 0 p la g u e s th a t w o u ld c o m e u p o n th e la n d . S o M o s e s is g iv e n a b ility to p e rfo rm m ira c le s . W h ic h w o u ld b e p a rtic u la rly s ig n ific a n t to th e E g y p tia n s , a n d p a rtic u la rly s ig n ific a n t w h e n p e rfo rm e d in th e la n d o f E g y p t w h e re m a g ic ia n s a n d th e o c c u lt f lo u r is h e d . E g y p t h a s b e e n d e s c r ib e d a s “ T h e c la s s ic la n d o f m a g ic .” T h e p ra c tic e o f m a g ic w a s c e n tra l to th e E g y p tia n re lig io n w ith its b e lie f in m a n y g o d s . T h e E g y p tia n b o o k o f th e d e a d lis ts o v e r 5 0 0 g o d s in E g y p t. A n d b e c a u s e th e re w e re m a n y n o t o f th e m w e re in f in ite o r a b s o lu te . In f a c t, th e y w e re b e lie v e d to b e d e p e n d e n t u p o n th e m a te ria l a n d th e p h y s ic a l f o r th e ir e x is te n c e . S o th e G o d th a t M o s e s w ill b rin g to E g y p t, th e G o d th a t h e w ill re v e a l, th e o n e w h o h a s s a id th a t h e is th e IM , th e e te rn a l, s e lf -e x is te n t, im m u ta b le G o d is to ta lly d if f e re n t th a n th e g o d s o f E g y p t. T h e y w e re m u ta b le , th e y w e re n ’t s e lf-e x is te n t, th e y re a lly c o u ld n ’t b e c o n s id e re d e te rn a l. T h e y w e re d e p e n d e n t u p o n th e p h y s ic a l, u p on th e m a te ria l fo r th e ir e x is te n c e . Y o u s e e th is in th e b u ria ls o f th e p h a ra o h s . T h e y b rin g a ll th e ir e a rth ly g o o d s , in c lu d in g s u c h th in g s a s f o o d , s u c h th in g s a s b e e r a n d w in e . E v e ry th in g th a t th e y ’d e n jo y e d in th is lif e th e y to o k w ith
- 11 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th e m in to th e a f te rlif e b e c a u s e th e y h a d to h a v e it to s u s ta in th e m s e lv e s . B u t G o d ’s d if f e re n t. T h e G o d th a t M o s e s p ro c la im s , th e tru e G o d , is o n e G o d , n o t m a n y g o d s a n d s e lf -e x is te n t, s e lf -s u ffic ie n t. B u t E g y p tia n s b e lie v e d in n u m e ro u s g u id e s w h o w e re d e p e n d e n t u p o n c re a tio n . A n d s o h e c o m e s w ith th is G o d th a t w a s to ta lly d if f e re n t th a n th e irs , a n d h e ’s a b e n e v o le n t G o d . A G o d w h o c a re s fo r h is p e o p le . T h e g o d s o f th e E g y p tia n s w e re n o t c o n s id e re d b e n e v o le n t. T h e y w e re c o n s id e re d , f o r th e m o s t p a rt, to b e h o s tile . A n d s o b e c a u s e o f th a t th e E g y p tia n s e n g a g e d in m a g ic . A n d th e ir b e lie f in m a g ic w e re a tte m p ts to n e u tra liz e o r to a p p e a s e th e g o d s a n d th e ir a n g e r. A n d th e y d id th a t b y try in g to m a n ip u la te n a tu re . B y m a n ip u la tin g n a tu re th e y m a n ip u la te th e g o d s . A n d s o M o s e s w o u ld e n te r th is la n d o f m a g ic , n o t w ith m a g ic , b u t w ith th e p o w e r o f G o d . A t n o p o in t d o e s h e re c ite m a g ic fo rm u la s lik e th e E g y p tia n p rie s t w o u ld d o . M o s e s s im p ly s a y s , “ T h u s s a y s th e L o rd .” A n d th e n h e p ro c la im s a n d p e rf o rm s a m ira c le , a s u p e rn a tu ra l w o rk o f G o d . A n d th ro u g h th a t, th ro u g h h is s e rv a n t M o s e s G o d c o n tro lle d b o th m a n a n d n a tu re . A g a in , th e s ig n s te s tif ie d to th e n a m e o f G o d . W e m e n tio n e d th is la s t w e e k h o w G o d ’s n a m e is , a s w e s a id , IM , th e s e lf-e x is te n t, th e e te rn a l, im m u ta b le G o d a n d w h a t w e s e e th ro u g h o u t th e b o o k - w h a t w e s e e th ro u g h o u t th e w h o le B ib le u n fo ld s th e m e a n in g o f th a t n a m e , a n d illu s tra te s it. A n d c e rta in ly , th e s e w o rk s , th e s e th re e s ig n s th a t M o s e s b rin g s b a c k illu s tra te s w h o G o d is . H e c a n ’t b e m a n ip u la te d b y m a n , lik e th e g o d s o f E g y p t. H e is th e c re a to r. H e is tra n s c e n d e n t o v e r h is c re a tio n . N o w y o u u n d e rs ta n d w h a t I m e a n b y th a t w o rd “ T ra n s c e n d e n t” , d o n ’t y o u ? W e u s e d it la s t w e e k . I t m e a n s , h e ’ s o v e r th e c r e a tio n . H e ’s n o t p a rt o f th e c re a tio n . H e is n o t a c re a te d b e in g , a n d h e is n o t m a d e , a n d a n y p a rt o f h is b e in g f ro m th e c re a tio n f ro m th a t w h ic h is c re a te d . H e ’s e te rn a l. H e ’s tra n s c e n d e n t. H e ’s o v e r th e c re a tio n . N o w h e ’s a ls o im m in e n t. T h a t is , h e ’s w ith in th e c re a tio n . H e ’s o m n ip re s e n t. H e is n o t o n ly th e c re a to r o f it a ll, b u t h e ’s a s u s ta in e r
- 12 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
o f a ll. A n d h e c a n u s e it a ll a n d d o e s u s e e v e ry th in g w ith in th e c re a tio n to w o rk o u t h is w ill a n d h is p u rp o s e , w h ic h is th a t o f s a lv a tio n a n d g ra c e fo r h is p e o p le . T h a t’s a n e te rn a l tru th . T h e tra n s c e n d e n c e o f th e o n e G o d . B u t it is n o t o n ly a n e te rn a l tru th s th a t a p p lie s p a rtic u la rly a n d s p e c ific a lly to th is a n c ie n t p e o p le o f Is ra e l, a n d th is a g e n t c irc u m s ta n c e o f th e irs in E g y p t, b u t it h a s p a rtic u la r a p p lic a tio n , I th in k to u s , in o u r o w n d a y . P e rh a p s in c re a s in g ly s o w ith th e re v iv a l o f n a tu re w o rs h ip . T h e in te re s t a n d s p re a d o f p a n th e is m , w h ic h w a s re a lly n o d iffe re n t th a n w h a t th e E g y p tia n s b e lie v e , a n d m a n y o f th e a n c ie n t w o rld b e lie v e th a t th e g o d s w e re b a s ic a lly p a rt o f n a tu re . T o d a y , th a t’s a v e ry p o p u la r p e rs p e c tiv e a n d b e lie v e a b o u t G o d . If o n e h a s a v ie w o f G o d . O fte n tim e s , it te n d s to b e th a t G o d is e s s e n tia lly th e c re a tio n a n d th a t s o m e s e n s e w e o u rs e lv e s a re p a rt o f G o d . W a s it S h irle y M a c L a in e , p ro c la im e d h e rs e lf to b e G o d a n d a ll of you can be God. W e ll, a s w e h e a r th e s e th in g s , w e s h o u ld re m e m b e r w h a t h a p p e n e d in E x o d u s . R e m e m b e r w h o G o d is a n d w h a t h e s a y s a b o u t h im s e lf, b e c a u s e th a t w h ic h d is p ro v e s p a g a n is m , s o m e 3 5 0 0 y e a rs a g o d is p ro v e s it to d a y . T h e re ’s o n ly o n e G o d . W e ’re n o t h im . T h e c re a tio n is n o t G o d . H e is tra n s c e n d e n t o v e r h is c re a tio n . H e is th e IM , th e s e lf-e x is te n t e te rn a l im m u ta b le G o d , w h o h a s g iv e n h is c re a tio n m o ra l o rd e r, w h ic h n o o n e c a n re s is t w ith im p u n ity . H e w ill a lw a y s h a v e h is w a y , h e w il l a lw a y s p e rf o rm h is w ill. T h e E g y p tia n s w o u ld le a rn th a t a n d M o s e s h im s e lf w o u ld le a rn th a t b e fo re th is c o n v e rs a tio n is o v e r. A n d s o w ith th e s e th re e s ig n s M o s e s w a s g iv e n s u p e rn a tu ra l p o w e r, w h ic h d e m o n s tra te d c le a rly a n d c o n v in c in g ly th a t G o d w a s w ith h im . A n d th a t G o d h a d g iv e n h im d iv in e a u th o rity to p e rfo rm h is w o rk . A n d s o w ith th is M o s e s g rip s h is s ta ff in h is h a n d a n d h e s a y s , “ I’m re a d y . L e t’s g o b a c k to E g y p t, le t’s d o it.” A n d , o h , w h a t w e re a d in v e rs e 1 0 , is th e n M o s e s s a id to th e L o rd , “P le a s e , L o rd , I h a v e n e v e r b e e n e lo q u e n t, n e ith e r re c e n tly , n o r in tim e p a s t, n o r s in c e th o u
- 13 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
h a s t s p o k e n to th y s e rv a n t.” In o th e r w o rd s “ O v e r th e p a s t fe w m in u te s , I h a v e n ’t b e c o m e e lo q u e n t. I’m ju s t n o t e lo q u e n t. ” “ I’m s lo w o f s p e e c h a n d s lo w o f to n g u e .” A n o th e r a rg u m e n t. L ite ra lly , h e s a id , “ I a m h e a v y o f m o u th a n d h e a v y o f to n g u e .” N o w , w h e th e r h e w a s in d ic a tin g b y th a t th a t h e h a d a s p e e c h im p e d im e n t, th a t it w a s s o m e p h y s ic a l d is a b ility , o r th a t h e h a s s im p ly lo s t th e s k ill o f o ra to ry o v e r th e p a s t 4 0 y e a rs o f d e s e rt life , o f th is lif e o f s e c lu s io n , w o u ld n ’t h a v e m u c h c a ll to b e a g re a t s p e a k e r w h e n h e ’s s h e p h e rd in g s h e e p . P e rh a p s h e ’d lo s t h is g ift. O r ju s t, h e ’s p le a d in g h e re in e x p e rie n c e . H e ju s t d o e s n ’t k n o w h o w to s p e a k . T h a t’s th e p o in t u ltim a te ly . “ I a m n o t a p u b lic s p e a k e r. I a m n o t y o u r m a n .” A s th o u g h G o d c a n ’t u s e s o m e o n e in h is w e a k n e s s . In h is in e x p e rie n c e . G o d h a d ju s t m a d e it v e ry c le a r th a t h e ’s in c o m p le te c o n tro l o v e r th e w h o le c re a te d o rd e r m a n a n d n a tu re a lik e . M o s e s s p e e c h im p e d im e n t w a s n o im p e d im e n t to G o d a n d h is g o t e x p la in e d in v e rs e 1 1 , “ W h o h a s m a d e m a n ’s m o u th ? O r w h o m a k e s h im d u m b o r d e a f, o r s e e in g o r b lin d ? Is it n o t I th e L o rd ? ” In o th e r w o rd s , a s c re a to r, h e ’s s o v e re ig n o v e r h is c re a tio n . It’s th e w a y it is b e c a u s e G o d h a s o rd a in e d it a n d c re a te d th a t w a y a n d h e c a n o v e rc o m e a n y d iffic u lty b e c a u s e h e is th e c re a to r. S in c e h e m a d e M o s e s ’s m o u th , h e c a n m a k e it e lo q u e n t. A n d th a t’s th e a s s u ra n c e th a t h e is g iv in g to h im . T h a t’s h is p o in t. A n d y e t th is is a ra th e r s ta rtlin g w a y f o r G o d to m a k e h is p o in t. “ W h o m a k e s a m a n d e a f o r b lin d ? Is it n o t I th e L o rd ? ” L ite ra lly , th e te x t re a d s , “ W h o h a s s e t a m o u th in m a n , a n d s e t th e s e o th e r c o n d itio n s in m e n ? ” T h e w o rd c re a te is n o t u s e d h e re , b u t th a t’s c e r ta in ly th e s e n s e o f it a n d w e c a n fin d th e v e ry w o rd c re a te in o th e r te x ts th a t a re s o m e w h a t p ro b le m a tic a l lik e th is . I re fe r y o u to Is a ia h 4 5 :7 . N o w th is d o e s n ’t p re c lu d e s e c o n d a ry c a u s e s . N o r d o e s it re lie v e p e o p le o f re s p o n s ib ility . W o m e n , fo r e x a m p le , a re re s p o n s ib le f o r w is e p re n a ta l c a re a n d p re p a rin g f o r th e b irth o f th e ir c h ild re n . B u t w h a t th is d o e s a f f irm is th a t e v e ry th in g th a t h a p p e n s f its w ith in th e d e c re tiv e w ill o f
- 14 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
G o d . A s it is in e s s e n c e , o r it a t le a s t a ffirm s th e s ta te m e n t th a t P a u l m a k e s in E p h e s ia n s 1 :1 1 , th a t “ G o d w o rk s th in g s a f te r th e c o u n s e l o f h is w ill.” E v e ry th in g fits w ith in h is p la n . A n d w h ile w e m a y n o t u n d e rs ta n d th e re a s o n s fo r it. W e c a n k n o w th a t w h a te v e r o c c u rs is o rd a in e d b y G o d , w h o s e a ll w is e , w h o is a ll g o o d a nd a llo w s n o th in g to to u c h h is p e o p le . N e v e r th e le s s , I s u s p e c t th a t th e re a re m a n y w h o w o u ld lik e to ru b o u t th is v e rs e fro m th e B ib le . H o w c a n G o d c re a te d e a f c h ild re n ? A n d th a t s e e m s to b e w h a t h e ’s s a y in g . In fa c t, th a t's th e s ta te m e n t th a t H e m a k e s . D o e s n ’t s e e m to fit o u t c o n c e p t o f a b e n e v o le n t G o d , a G o d w h o is lo v e . B u t o f c o u rs e , w e c a n 't re m o v e th is v e rs e fro m th e B ib le o r w e c a n 't re m o v e o th e r v e rs u s th a t a re s im ila r to it. S o p e rh a p s th e p ro b le m , is n o t w ith th e B ib le , it’s n o t w ith th e L o rd . P e rh a p s th e p ro b le m is w ith o u r c o n c e p t o f th in g s. J o h n G e rs tn e r te lls o f a n e x p e rie n c e th a t h e h a d s o m e y e a rs a g o a s a p a s to r. In w h ic h a y o u n g c o u p le th a t h a d b e e n v e ry a c tiv e in th e c h u rc h h a d a c h ild b o rn d is f ig u re d . T h e y w e re , a s y o u c a n im a g in e , d e v a s ta te d b y th a t. A n d s o h e w e n t to v is it th e m a n d g iv e c o n s o la tio n . A n d w h e n h e a rriv e d , th e y p o u re d o u t o n h im a ll o f th e ir a n g e r. A n d th e y a s k e d , “ H o w c o u ld G o d d o th is to u s ? ” It d id n ’t s e e m f a ir. A n d s o h e s a y s h e w a s g la d th a t a t le a s t th e y p o u re d o u t th e ir a n g e r o n h im , G o d ’s s e rv a n t, ra th e r th a n G o d h im s e lf. B u t h e th e n s a t th e m d o w n a f te r th e y ’d e x p re s s th e m s e lv e s a n d h e ta lk e d to th e m . A n d h e a s k e d th e m w h a t th e y th o u g h t th e y d e s e rv e d . N o w th e s e w e re p e o p le w h o h a d a ffirm e d a b e lie f in th e g ra c e o f th e g o s p e l , in u n m e rite d fa v o r. T h e y w e re p e o p le w h o h a d s u n g m a n y tim e s th e h y m n in w h ic h T o p la d y w ro te . N o th in g in m y h a n d I b rin g . S im p ly to th y c ro s s I c lin g . A s G e rs tn e r w rite s , “ D id th e y re a lly b e lie v e d th a t th e y w e re p e o p le w h o d e s e rv e b e tte r tre a tm e n t? ” A n d th e p o in t th a t h e m a k e s in th is p a rtic u la r c h a p te r o f h is b o o k is th a t w h e n w e s ta rt to th in k th a t w e d e s e rv e h a p p in e s s , th a t w e d e s e rv e g o o d th in g s fro m G o d , th e n w e ’v e fo rg o tte n w h o w e re a lly a re , w h a t w e re a lly a re . W e ’re s in n e rs . W e ’re u n d e r th e ju d g m e n t o f G o d . W e
- 15 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
d e s e rv e n o th in g . W e d e s e rv e n o th in g th a t’s g o o d . T h e fa c t th a t w e o b ta in a n y th in g , w e re c e iv e a n y g o o d th in g is s im p ly th e w o rk o f th e g ra c e o f G o d . A n d s o h e e m p h a s iz e d th is p o in t, a n d a fte r s o m e p a s to ra l c o u n c il, h e w rite s th a t th e c o u p le c o n f e s s e d th a t th e y re a lly d id n ’t d e s e rv e a n y th in g . N o th in g g o o d fro m G o d , a t le a s t, a n d th e y b e c a m e p e n ite n t a n d th e y a s k e d th e L o rd ’s fo rg iv e n e s s . It’s n o t fo r u s to te ll G o d h o w to g o v e rn h is u n iv e rs e . H e h a s h is rea s o n s f o r a ll th a t h e d o e s a n d th e y a re g o o d re a s o n s . A n d th e re a re n u m e ro u s re a s o n s . W h o a re w e , f in ite c re a tu re s to e x p la in w h a t G o d o u g h t to b e d o in g ? A s h a rd a s it m a y b e , w e a re to a c c e p t b y fa ith w h e n h e g iv e s to u s . A c c e p t o u r p la c e in life a s c o m in g f ro m a g o o d a n d a w is e G o d , a n d w a it f o r th e d a y w h e n h e w ill s u p p ly to u s a ll o f th e a n s w e rs f o r w h a t h a s o c c u rre d . A s h a rd a s c irc u m s ta n c e m a y b e w e ’re to re c e iv e th o s e c irc u m s ta n c e s in f a ith a n d w h e n w e d o th a t, th e y tu rn o u t to b e b le s s in g s . A n d G o d u s e s th e m g re a tly in o u r life . W e ll th e s e w o rd s w e re to c o m e f ro m M o s e s . G o d w a s re a s s u rin g h im th a t h e k n e w h is d iffic u ltie s , n e w th e m b e tte r th a n M o s e s d id . H e k n e w h is h a n d ic a p s , h is d is a d v a n ta g e s . H e c re a te d h im w ith th e m . H e g a v e M o s e s h is m o u th . H e c a lle d h im in th a t c o n d itio n w ith th is h e a v y m o u th a n d h e a v y to n g u e . It w a s n o im p e d im e n t to h im . If h e c o u ld g iv e lif e to a d e a d s tic k lik e h e h a d w ith M o s e s ’s s ta ff, h e c o u ld c e rta in ly g iv e s p e e c h th a n M o s e s s ta m m e rin g to n g u e . O r s k ill to h is la c k o f e x p e rie n c e . S o th is w a s to b e a n e n c o u ra g e m e n t to M o s e s . A n d a s y o u th in k a b o u t it, it is a g re a t e n c o u ra g e m e n t. It’s a g re a t e n c o u ra g e m e n t to u s . Y o u d o n ’t h a v e to b e a p e rs o n w ith p h y s ic a l b e a u ty . Y o u d o n ’t h a v e to b e a p e rs o n th a t h a s a c le v e r m in d to b e u s e d o f G o d . Y o u o n ly h a v e to h a v e f a ith a n d G o d ’s tru th . H e b le s s e s h is w o rd . A n d h e ’s c a lle d M o s e s to c a rry h is w o rd b a c k to E g y p t a n d to h is p e o p le . A s fo r M o s e s d e fe c ts , G o d h a d c re a te d h im a s h e w a s . G o d k n e w h is n e e d s a n d h e w a s m o re th a n s u f f ic ie n t to s u p p ly w h a t h e n e e d e d . A n d s o w ith th is g e n tle re p rim a n d h e g iv e s M o s e s a g a in , h is
- 16 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
c o m m is s io n . W e re a d in v e rs e 1 2 , “ N o w , th e n g o a n d e v e n I w ill b e w ith y o u r m o u th a n d te a c h y o u w h a t y o u a re to s a y .” W e ll b y n o w M o s e s h a s ru n o u t o f a rg u m e n ts . H e ’s e x h a u s te d a ll o f h is a p p e a ls . A n d s o in v e rs e 1 3 , h e f in a lly s a y s , “ L o rd s e n d s o m e o n e e ls e .” N o re a s o n is g iv e n , w h ic h in d ic a te s th a t a ll o f h is o b je c tio n s w e re s im p ly e x c u s e s f o r a v o id in g th e w ill o f G o d . H e ju s t d id n ’t w a n t to g o . B e c a u s e in s p ite o f th e s iz e a n d th e w o n d e rs a n d in s p ite o f th e p ro m is e s th a t G o d h a d m a d e. H e s till la c k e d c o n fid e n c e a n d w h a t h e c o u ld d o th ro u g h th e p o w e r o f G o d . W h ic h is to s a y , h e la c k e d f a ith in G o d . A n d s o h e d id n ’t w a n t to le a v e th e d e s e rt . H e e v id e n tly b e c o m e a c c u s to m e d to th e s o litu d e . A c c u s to m e d to th a t q u ie t life o f re fle c tio n . H e p re fe rre d th a t to th e c h a lle n g e o f s e rv in g G o d , a n d tru s tin g h im in th a t s e rv ic e . N o w a ll th ro u g h th is d is c o u rs e , th is c o n v e rs a tio n th a t G o d h a s h a d w ith M o s e s G o d ’s b e e n v e ry p a tie n t. M e e tin g a ll o f h is e x c u s e s w ith a n s w e rs a n d re a s s u ra n c e s . T h e p a tie n ts h a s its lim its . A n d w ith th is f in a l o b je c tio n w e re a d th a t G o d ’s a n g e r b u rn e d a g a in s t M o s e s . It b u rn e d a g a in s t h is u n b e lie f. G o d c a n b e a n g ry . B u t s ti ll, G o d d e a ls w ith h im k in d ly . H e d e a ls w ith M o s e s a n d a v e ry g e n tle w a y a n d p ro v id e s a n a s s is ta n t fo r M o s e s a n d h is b ro th e r A a ro n . A n d th e L o rd s a y s , “ I k n o w th a t h e s p e a k s f lu e n tly . Y o u m a y b e c o n c e rn e d a b o u t h o w w e ll y o u s p e a k s o I’m g o in g to g iv e y o u a h e lp e r w h o s p e a k s w e ll. I k n o w h o w w e ll h e c a n s p e a k .” A s th e L o rd e x p la in s in v e rs e s 1 5 a n d 1 6 , E rin w o u ld b e M o s e s m o u th p ie c e . G o d w o u ld s p e a k to M o s e s a n d M o s e s w o u ld in s tru c t A a ro n w h a t to s a y . A s a L o rd s a y s in v e rs e 1 6 , “ Y o u s h a ll b e a s G o d t o h im .” M e a n in g , a s a p ro p h e t is G o d ’s m o u th p ie c e , s o A a ro n w o u ld b e M o s e s m o u th p ie c e . H e w o u ld b e in s u b m is s io n to M o s e s , w h o w o u ld b e A a ro n ’s s o u rc e o f re v e la tio n . B u t u ltim a te ly , o f c o u rs e , it c o m e s fro m G o d . G o d to M o s e s , M o s e s to A a ro n a n d A a ro n t o th e c o u rt o f E g y p t a n d th e p e o p le o f Is ra e l. T h e L o rd th e n c o n c lu d e s th e d is c o u rs e b y re m in d in g M o s e s to ta k e h is s ta f f b y w h ic h h e w o u ld p e rf o rm th e w o n d e rs , th e s ig n s to th e
- 17 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
p e o p le . It w a s a fu rth e r re a s s u ra n c e th a t G o d w o u ld g ra n t th e m is s io n s u c c e s s . A fu rth e r re a s s u ra n c e th a t G o d , in s p ite o f M o s e s ’s w e a k n e s s e s w a s s u ffic ie n t. B u t n o w , b e c a u s e M o s e s h a d re s is te d G o d , h e ’ll lo s e s o m e o f th e h o n o r th a t w o u ld h a v e b e e n h is h a d h e b e e n G o d ’s s o le re p re s e n ta tiv e . H e w ill n o w s h a re th a t w o u ld A a ro n . W h o in s o m e w a y s w o u ld p ro v e m o re o f a h in d ra n c e th a n a h e lp . It’s s im ila r to w h a t to o k p la c e in th e b o o k o f J u d g e s , w ith B a ra k , w h o la c k e d th e fa ith to g o o u t in b a ttle a g a in s t th e C a n a a n ite s b y h is s e lf. H e w a s a fra id to le a d th e a rm y o f Is ra e l u n le s s h e h a d th e p ro p h e te s s D e b ra w ith h im . A n d s o h e in s is te d th a t s h e b e w ith h im a n d th e L o rd g a v e to h im D e b ra , b u t a ls o th ro u g h th e p ro p h e te s s s a id to h im , th a t h o n o r th a t w o u ld ’v e b e e n h is th ro u g h v ic to ry w o u ld n o w b e g iv e n to a w o m a n . A n d s o M o s e s w o u ld l o s e s o m e th in g h e re . A n d y e t, h e ’ll s till g o . F o r a ll o f h is re s is ta n c e , G o d s till h a s h is w a y . A n d th e re ’s a le s s o n in th a t fo r u s . A n d th e le s s o n is , firs t o f a ll, it’s fo o lis h to re s is t G o d ’s w ill. W e c a n ’t, f o r t th e p u rp o s e o f G o d . H e ’s g o in g to h a v e h is w a y . A n d it’s w ro n g to d o u b t h is w o rd . G o d is s u f f ic ie n t a n d h e m e e ts a ll o f h is p ro m is e s a n d h e s u ffic ie n t fo r a ll o f o u r n e e d s . A n d h e c a n u s e a n y o n e w h o m h e c a lls in to h is s e rv ic e . Y o u m a y n o t th in k y o u h a v e a n y th in g to o ffe r G o d , b u t th e n c o n s id e r M o s e s . A ll h e h a d w a s a s im p le s h e p h e rd ’s s ta ff a n d y e t th e L o rd to o k th a t s tic k a n d u s e th a t m ira c u lo u s ly . H e s u p p lie s o u r n e e d s . A n d w e m a y th in k w e c a n b rin g v e ry little to G o d . B u t w h a t w e b rin g to h im h e c a n u s e a n y m ira c u lo u s w a y b e c a u s e h e ’s s u ffic ie n t a n d s o w e ’re s im p ly to o b e y h is c a ll. W e ’re s im p ly to b e lie v e h im , tru s t h im , s te p o u t in fa ith . M a y b e a c a ll a s d e m a n d in g o n u s a s le a v in g o u r h o m e a n d g o in g to a f o re ig n la n d to p ro c la im th e S c rip tu re s o r to re n d e r m e d ic a l s e rv ic e to p e o p le e ls e w h e re . M a y s im p ly b e th a t G o d w a n ts y o u to s e rv e h im w h e re y o u a re , in y o u r o ffic e , in y o u r h o m e , in y o u r n e ig h b o rh o o d . W h a te v e r y o u r c a ll is y o u ’re to re s p o n d a n d th e L o rd w ill s u p p ly th e n e e d s . W e m a y h a v e h a n d ic a p s , a n d w e a ll d o . N o n e
- 18 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
o f u s a re s u ffic ie n t. B u t n o n e o f th o s e h a n d ic a p s o r im p e d im e n ts a re im p e d im e n ts to G o d ’s p o w e r w ith in u s . T h e a p o s tle P a u l’s a c a s e in p o in t. H e re m in d s th e C o rin th ia n s in 2 C o rin th ia n s th a t p e o p le s a id o f h im th a t h is a p p e a ra n c e w a s u n im p re s s iv e . H is s p e e c h c o n te m p tib le . H e h im s e lf s a id th a t h e w a s u n s k ille d in s p e e c h . S o e v id e n tly , P a u l w a s n o t a n a ttra c tiv e p e rs o n . N o t th e k in d o f s p e a k e r th a t d re w c ro w d s . W o u ld n ’t h a v e b e e n a v e ry p o p u la r in d iv id u a l to d a y in th e c h u rc h . H e w a s n o t tra in e d in rh e t o ric th a t h e h a d k n o w le d g e w h ic h h e im p a rte d to th e m , a n d th a t’s w h a t G o d b le s s e s . H e b le s s e s h is tru th . A n d w h e n w e h a v e h is tru th , w e a re s im p ly to re s p o n d in f a ith a n d h e ’ll w o rk h is w ill. A u g u s tin e a n d C a lv in a n d o th e rs w h o a t firs t re s is te d th e c a ll to s e rv e G o d , to ta k e u p th e c h a lle n g e , a n d y e t fin a lly y ie ld e d , fin a lly o b e y e d w e re b le s s e d a n d g re a tly u s e d . S o w e c a n b e e n c o u ra g e d b e c a u s e G o d c a n u s e e a c h o f u s w h o h a v e p u t o u r fa ith in h im . S o a s w e c o n c lu d e , I a s k th e q u e s tio n ; h a v e y o u d o n e th a t? H a v e y o u p u t y o u r fa ith in C h ris t a s S a v io r? W e ’v e s p o k e n th is m o rn in g a b o u t s e rv in g G o d , o f re c e iv in g b le s s in g s , b u t th a t c a n o n ly b e e n jo y e d b y th o s e w h o a re h is ; th o s e w h o h a v e b e lie v e d in J e s u s C h ris t a s S a v io r a n d in s o d o in g h a v e e n te re d in to a re la tio n s h ip w ith G o d . B e lie v e d in th e o n e w h o m a s w e c e le b ra te in th is C h ris tm a s s e a s o n e n te re d in to h u m a n h is to ry w h e n h e to o k to h im s e lf a h u m a n n a tu re . W h e n h e b e c a m e a m a n fo r th e p u rp o s e o f d y in g o n th e c ro s s . D y in g a s a s u b s titu te fo r s in n e rs . R e c e iv in g in h im s e lf th e ju d g m e n t th a t w a s d u e to u s , w h o h a v e n e v e r b e lie v e d in h im , th e n I in v ite y o u to d o s o . B e lie v e in th e L o rd J e s u s C h ris t a n d e n te r in to lif e e te rn a l. A n d a c c e p t th e c a ll th a t h e is g iv e n to y o u w h ic h h e is g iv e n to e v e ry C h ris tia n ; to s e rv e h im w h e re v e r y o u a re in th e c a p a c ity th a t y o u c a n . L e t’s b o w n o w in a w o rd o f p ra y e r. [P ra y e r] F a th e r w e d o th a n k y o u fo r th e tru th th a t w e h a v e b e fo re u s ; th in g s w e ’v e c o n s id e re d . W e lo o k a t M o s e s , w e lo o k a t s o m e o f th e o th e r m e n o f h is to ry , w e a re re m in d e d o f o u rs e lv e s b e c a u s e w e a re n o t a p e o p le th a t o f o u rs e lv e s h a v e th e a b ility to d o th e
- 19 "The Credentials of the Messenger" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th in g s th a t y o u c a ll u s to d o . W e c e rta in ly c a n ’t c h a n g e th e h e a rts o f p e o p le w h o re s is t th e tru th , b u t y o u c a n . A n d y o u c a n w o rk th ro u g h u s in m ig h ty w a y s . A n d s o w e a s k th a t y o u w o u ld g iv e u s fa ith . A n d g iv e u s c o n f id e n c e in y o u r tru th th a t w e m ig h t s e rv e y o u w e ll a n d s e rv e y o u f a ith f u lly . W e p r a y th e s e th in g s in o u r s a v io r ’ s n a m e . A m e n .
