Exodus 4:18-7:13

After confronting God at the burning bush, Moses goes home and talks it over with Jethro.  On his way back to Egypt, Aaron greets Moses and takes him before the leaders of Israel.  Aaron and Moses go to Pharaoh and ask him to release the Hebrews; the Pharaoh refuses.  When the people hear of Moses’ failure they reject him. God then prepares Moses and Aaron to go back to the Pharaoh.

Even though God has spent 80 years preparing Moses to go before Pharoah, Moses does not go directly to Pharoah.  First Moses goes to a trusted mentor (Jethro) to confirm God’s calling in his life.  Second Moses goes to a trusted friend (/brother/partner) for support and guidance in his new situation.  Third Moses goes to the leader who are already in place.  He visits the leaders of the Hebrew people.

This is a good example of how we should go about fulfilling our calling from God.  It is useful to first go to a trusted mentor to  have our calling confirmed.  It is wise to have a partner with you who can guide you in a foreign culture (whether that culture be a new church, a new country, or a return to a previous home).  Finally, it is good to work with the other leaders that God has already placed in positions of authority.

Because Moses began by going through these three stages he is not completely discouraged when both Pharaoh and the Hebrew people reject him.  Moses is able to focus on what God has called him to do and is enabled by God to follow through on this calling.