Exodus 4:14-17

He shall be thy spokesman.

Mutual aid in religious work

I. That sometimes great men are called to undertake a work against the performance of which they imagine themselves to have a natural impediment.

1. Men should be certain that their so-called impediment will be a real hindrance in the service to which they are sent. In these days, when people are called to work, they at once refer to their infirmity and unfitness for it; but their real infirmity is not so much their slowness of speech, as their unbelief, and unwillingness to follow the Divine command. They have not the rectal courage to encounter difficulty.

2. But we admit that sometimes men are called to religious work, against the performance of which they have a true natural impediment. And why this apparent anomaly?

(1) It is because with the command He gives the moral energy necessary for its execution. He gives the timid man the stimulus of the vision. He gives him the inspiration of a miracle.

(2) Its design is to educate man on the side of his weakness.

(3) It is to render the mission all the more triumphant when accomplished. It is the distinguishing glory of Christianity that it makes provision for the victory of the weak, who have within their souls the grace of God.

II. That at such times good men require the aid of others whose talents compensate for their infirmities.

1. This help was adapted to the infirmity of Moses. “Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well.” So there are a variety of gifts and talents in the Church. The one is the complement of the other.

2. This help was arranged by the Providence of God. “And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee.”

(1) As to the time of meeting.

(2) As to the place of meeting.

(3) As to the purpose of meeting.

3. This help was founded upon, and rendered welcome by, family relationship. “Thy brother.”

III. That such co-operation renders religious work much more jubilant and successful.

1. It is happy. It is adapted to our weak condition of faith.

2. It is sympathetic.

3. It is hopeful. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Moses and Aaron

I. The certificated ambassador. Moses.

1. His hesitation. Caused by

(1) His own meekness. Had not a high opinion of himself.

(2) His knowledge of the people he was sent to deliver, and also of the oppressor. He had not forgotten their rejection of him.

2. His certificate. Power to work sundry miracles is given.

3. His unbelief. Moses seems, at this time, to rely too much on human qualities. His lack of eloquence, he thinks, will be great hindrance.

II. The gracious compensation. Moses and Aaron the complement of each other. The man of words and the man of action. Human qualities are mercifully distributed. No one man perfect. Each needs the help and talents of others. Providence designs that men should not be independent of one another. “Two heads better than one.” Opposites often found in one family. Moses and Aaron--brothers. Different qualities and talents in a household to be used, and combined, for the service of God. Let none envy the gifts of others, but cultivate his own.

III. The brothers’ meeting.

1. In the wilderness. Place of brotherly meeting a garden in the desert of life. How great the joy of meeting each other where all around is paradise, and no separation or toll in prospect.

2. Marked by affection. They “kissed” each other. Mutual respect and love.

3. Their intercourse. Chief matter in hand was Moses’s commission. Aaron, the elder, Cheerfully takes the second place. Is indebted for even that to the humility of Moses. They journey on together, and at once address themselves to their work.

Learn--

1. God’s witnesses are witnessed to. Seals to their ministry.

2. Humbly to regard ourselves, but do any work to which Providence calls us.

3. Rejoice in others’ powers, and cheerfully unite for common ends.

4. Thank God for our meeting on earth, and prepare for the better one.

5. Christ, our elder Brother, meets us in the wilderness, salutes us with the kiss of love, and goes with us to all our holy labours. (J. C. Gray.)

Mutual service

In the valley of Chamounix there stands a very interesting monument; it presents two figures--Saussure, the great scientist, and Balmat, the guide, who was the very first to stand on the summit of Mont Blanc. Saussure on the summit of the mighty mountain could do what the poor guide could not do, he could observe the structure of the rocks, take observations of barometrical variations, note the intensity of the solar rays, the mode of formation of clouds, and he could describe the superb scenery unfolded to his view with the feeling of an artist and the pen of a poet. Balmat could do nothing of all this but had it not been for his skill and daring, Saussure had never scaled the glorious height. So on the monument both are immortalized, the lowly guide, the famous philosopher, for by their mutuality they triumphed and gave mankind a new world of science and poetry. So it ever is in the Church. In Christian fellowship all souls serve one another. (W. L. Watkinson.)

Life and service interdependent

In the great honey industries of South California the bees play a most important and valuable part. But they cannot pierce the skins of the apricots until the lady-bug has made a hole for them. It must have been an accidental thing at the outset, the first bee joining a lady-bug at her feast of apricot, but they have now become necessary to the honey-crop of the district. All life and service is interdependent--Timothy is necessary to Paul; the least essential to the great. (H. O. Mackey.)

The Divine anger

1. Often righteously provoked.

2. Often gentle in its reproof.

3. Truly benevolent in its disposition. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

I know that he can speak well

I. Then God takes knowledge of the varied talents of men.

II. Then God will hold men responsible for their talents.

III. Then the talents of men cannot be better employed than in the service of the Church. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Christian workers more ready to rely on man than on God

We have noted the timidity and hesitation of Moses, notwithstanding the varied promises and assurances with which Divine grace had furnished him. And now, although there was nothing gained in the way of real power, although there was no more virtue or efficacy in one mouth than in another, although it was Moses, after all, who was to speak unto Aaron, yet Moses was quite ready to go when assured of the presence and co-operation of a poor feeble mortal like himself, whereas he could not go when assured again and again that Jehovah would be with him. How his case, like a mirror, reflects our own hearts! We are more ready to trust anything than the living God. How deeply should it humble us before the Lord that, though we move along with bold decision when we possess the countenance and support of a poor frail mortal like ourselves, yet we falter, hesitate, and demur when we have the light of the Master’s countenance and the strength of His omnipotent arm to support us. (A. Nevin, D. D.)