A Snake by the Tail

April 5

(Some lessons in Exodus)

Read: Exodus 3:13-4:17

A Snake by the Tail (Hero’s Journey Revisited Part 3)

“And (the Lord) said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail” (4:3,4a)

"Put out your hand and catch it by the tail.” Imagine this thing that you are sure could / would kill you if it bit you…and God is telling you to grab it by the tail !?! The truth is that our first instinct is often to run from the powerful and miraculous work that the Lord is doing. Very few of us are willing or able to immediately embrace what God has called us to do. This is the truth we see played out over and over again in the scriptures. When we come face to face with God we “hide our face and are afraid to look”. (v 3:6) When God intersects with the normal, everyday things we have in our hands (like Moses’ staff) they are transformed… transformed into something that we have a fear of (like a SNAKE). (v. 4:3) Did you know that humans have an innate fear of snakes? We are hardwired to be afraid of them. We are made that way. God knew that turning Moses’ staff into a snake would not only be convincing for others but that it would be SCARY. Moses RAN from it. (v.4:3) So do we. We are more likely to RUN AWAY from the supernatural power of God before we are ready to “grab it by the tail”.

Do not be discouraged. This is a common part of the spiritual journey, a channel marker in our life of faith. Think of Jesus Christ himself - he sweat blood in the garden before he hung on a cross. He did not run away and reject his mission from the Lord, nevertheless he WAS experiencing anguish over it. If it is ok for Jesus, it is ok for us! God calls us back in… he calls us to draw near to him and to “grab it by the tail”. What happens when Moses does this? It becomes a staff again… something that a shepherd would literally use every day that he worked. We carry with us every day… in our hands… the very tools that God is wanting to miraculously transform and work through. Will we be brave enough to listen to his voice when he tells us to not be afraid, draw near, and grab it by the tail. God did not turn that staff into a snake so that it would bite and kill Moses. God is not out to destroy his children!

As we read this interchange between Moses and the Lord we can see all the ways he tries to run from his destiny… he is consistently making excuses and trying to avoid his “hero’s work”. The objections and questions start subtly and then become deeper and more direct. At first the objections are vailed and come simply as questions but then they intensify and by the end it becomes clear ‘ Moses is trying to run away from the work God has for him. What are the reasons we are tempted to run away?

Our objections may start simply as a matter of not knowing. “What is your name again? Who am I supposed to say is sending me?” (v.3:13,14) Moses is wrestling with the identity of the one who is sending him. He is also worried that he will not have the support of the people. This first objection is subtle, but rooted in a sort of “I don’t really know who you are” mentality. We must face the unknown and trust the character of the one who sends us… the LIVING GOD. Moses will end his life as the one human who had the absolute closest possible relationship with God that there is! He will eventually sit around with God on the top of a mountain like you and I do while sharing a cup of coffee or a meal. He will eventually be so close to God that when he comes in the midst of the people his FACE WILL BE GLOWING. (Ex. 33:11, 34:29) Right now… Moses is afraid and unsure. Can God be trusted? Is he good? Is he going to destroy me? God knows this and answers Moses deeper, un-asked question next in the next exchange.

Sometimes we are afraid that we will be rejected by others… that those we are sent to will not embrace us or trust that we are coming on behalf of the Lord. This is precisely what Moses brings up next. He is afraid of being rejected by the people: “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” (v.4:1) We are afraid that people won’t believe us… they won’t trust that we have truly heard from the Lord. We fear the lack of support from those around us when we embark on God’s mission for us. God gives Moses three miracles to verify his interaction with the Lord. The first miracle (the snake / staff) not only verifies Moses’ meeting with the Lord, it addresses that deeper issue: God can be trusted and he is not seeking to “snake bite” you and destroy you!

The deepest doubts and insecurities of Moses are the same as ours. Eventually the truth comes out. Not only are we afraid that others won’t believe in us… we don’t actually believe in ourselves! Moses’ final plea is transparent: “Lord I am not eloquent enough. Lord I am simply not good enough to do what you need me to do”. (v. 4:10) God’s answer: “go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (v.12) It is the same as before, “But I will be with you…” (v.3:12) God promises us as his children his presence (“I am with you”), his wisdom (“I will tell you what to say”) and his power (“take that staff in your hand”). God has an answer for every objection you throw at him. He loves you enough to not let you run away from his destiny for you!

Do not be afraid. Reach out and grab the “snake by the tail”. God is trustworthy. He is worthy to be obeyed… to be led by… to follow. What “snake” are you running from… avoiding? What is it that God is calling you too that you are trying so hard to get away from? What excuses are we making? This is the final step in this “hero’s journey” before heading back to save the people you are called to save. It means facing your deepest doubts and fears within yourself and taking hold of your new identity… the one given you by the Lord. Stop running. Stop objecting. The Lord is with you… HE is enough. He has given you his presence, his wisdom, and his power. He is making what you have in your hands powerful. He has made you HOLY and set apart. You are ready because of HIM. Take your staff in your hand and boldly go. Grab that snake by the tail ! - Love you guys. JDP