The Five Excuses Moses Used to Deny His Calling

Bible Summary. As many us do, Moses had many excuses before God on why he could not fulfill his calling. First, Moses' response to his calling was to say, “Who am I”. Second, Moses pleaded lack of knowledge in that he did not even know God’s name and what to tell the Israelites. Moses’ third excuse to God was that he did not believe he had the power to fulfill the calling that God had told him to do. Moses’ fourth excuse to God was that his speaking and leadership abilities were lacking. Moses’ final excuse to God was that he did not desire to fulfill his calling and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. See below for Biblical commentary and scriptures concerning Moses’ five excuses for denying his calling.

Moses' Excuses Before the Burning Bush Buy Christianity posters and prints at Art.com

Moses’ Excuse #1: I Am Not Qualified to Fulfill My Calling.

God gave instructions to Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses response to his calling was to say, “Who am I”.

See Scripture Commentary: Exodus 3:11 tells us how Moses questioned his qualifications to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Moses’ Excuse #2: I Lack Knowledge to Fulfill My Calling.

God had commanded Moses to talk to the children of Israel and tell them what God had told Moses in regard to their deliverance out of Egypt. Moses pleaded lack of knowledge in that he did not even know God’s name and what to tell the Israelites.

See Scripture Commentary: Exodus 3:13 tells us how Moses questioned God about his lack of knowledge to fulfill his calling.

Moses’ Excuse #3: I Do Not Believe I Can Fulfill My Calling.

Moses’ third excuse to God was that he did not believe he had the power to fulfill the calling that God had told him to do. Moses did not believe he could persuade the Israelites that God had actually appear to him.

See Scripture Commentary: Exodus 4:1 tells us of Moses’ doubt in fulfilling his calling.

Moses’ Excuse #4: This is Not My Calling.

Moses’ fourth excuse to God was that his speaking and leadership abilities were lacking. Leading the people of Israel could not be his calling because he was not eloquent of speech, nor of a quick tongue.

See Scripture Commentary: Exodus 4:10 tells how Moses gave excuses to God concerning his slowness of speech.

Moses’ Excuse #5: I Do Not Want to Fulfill My Calling.

Moses excuse this time was that he did not desire to fulfill his calling and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses basically asked God if someone else could fulfill the calling that God had given to him.

See Scripture Commentary: Exodus 4:13 tells us how Moses asked God to send someone else to fulfill Moses’ calling.