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After seeing the suffering and hearing the groans of the Israelites,¹ God’s chosen people, God groomed a leader who would free them from Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.² He was threatened by them and dealt shrewdly with them. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad.³ So the king ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all baby boys. But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.⁴ Then Pharaoh commanded that every Hebrew son shall be cast into the Nile.⁵

When Moses was born, his mother hid him for 3 months then put him in a basket and left him at the river bank, his sister watching at a distance. By divine fate, Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing and noticed the basket. She discovered the baby and took pity on him. Moses was cared for. And when he was older, he became her son.⁶ Imagine the favor and education that he got! I would liken it to having been schooled in an Ivy League; and finishing with all the credentials attached to his name (from ABC to XYZ). [Personally, I am a Blue and Maroon. So I can relate–the Greens must be churning. Ha Ha! Teasing aside I had lots of Green friends; in fact, I have learned to consider others more worthy since I married a Green].

One day, Moses went out to his people and realized their burdens. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Thus, he felt he should save him and struck the Egyptian dead. Out of fear, he fled into the wilderness.⁷ There is something about the wilderness that humbles a man. When God called Moses to lead his people, he tried to duck the responsibility. Since he felt he wasn’t qualified. “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either. In the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”⁸ Huh? By experience, we know it is not a good idea to say ‘No’ to God when he calls. Yet God patiently reveals his name to Moses. “I AM WHOM I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.” . . . “The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.⁹

Later, came the era of Judges. The people of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD . . .¹⁰ Again they were allowed to suffer. “. . . I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery, And delivered you, . . . ‘I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.”¹¹ Then Gideon was called. ‘Go in this might of yours and save Israel . . . ; do not I send you?’¹² He likewise felt inadequate. “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”¹³

Why must God choose the meekest to lead? Why must he mold our character first through suffering? “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of host. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it.

Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb-line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.”¹⁴