Moses was selected and prepared by God from birth to challenge Pharaoh and to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It is important to note that God did not call Moses to this task while he was still living in the palace of Pharaoh as a “prince of Egypt”. According to Trembelas, God waited until Moses had spent forty years living as a shepherd in Midian before he was called. This was done in order to ensure that Moses was well-grounded in the virtue of humility, and would not succumb to the temptation of pride once he became leader and governor of the people of Israel.

Moses’ response to God, once God had made known to Moses His intentions, confirms his humility. Moses asks God: “Who am I to go to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt?”(Exodus 3:11). In fact Moses, because of the low consideration he had for himself, was quite reluctant to undertake the mission and required much convincing of God’s support before he finally agreed.

Moses’ response contrasts sharply with those who, in the pursuit of glory and honour, push to have themselves appointed to leadership and positions in the Church. Such persons rush in, overestimating the extent of their strength to carry out the requirements of the position they seek, as well as failing to give due consideration to the extent of the responsibility involved.

If we do indeed wish to serve God and His Church in some special task, we need to follow the example of Moses. Rather than relying on our own limited strengths and capabilities, we must be completely dependent on the strength and support of God. With our own strength we can do nothing. God has to help us if we are to succeed, and the more we humble ourselves before Him, the more help He gives us, thus ensuring the success of whichever task He has entrusted to us.

Source: February-March 2015 Lychnos Edition

[1] Available only in Greek: Μωυσής ο Ελευθερωτής του Ισραήλ, published by the Brotherhood of Theologians Sotir, ISBN 33092.