But Moses, like Abraham – and like each of us too if we are honest –felt himself too weak to do what God asked from him:

“If you please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past, nor recently, nor now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, `Who gives one man speech and makes another deaf and dumb? Or who gives sight to one and makes another blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Go, then. It is I who will assist you in speaking and will teach you what you are to say” (Exodus 4, 10-12)

 LIBERATION FROM SLAVERY

Moses had received a personal call from God; he followed, God was with him. But Moses had no easy path. His own Jewish people were slow to follow him, and the Egyptians checked and threatened him.

God gave remarkable signs to accompany Moses’ words. But the Egyptian king did not allow him to lead the Jews to freedom. God, however, had one final sign. He said to Moses:

“One more plague will I bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt . After that he will let you depart. If fact he will drive you away” (Exodus 11, 1).

Then Moses went to the king: “Thus says the Lord : At midnight I will go forth though Egypt . Every first born in this land shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh on the throne to the first-born of the slave girl at the hand mill, as well as all the first-born of the animals. Then there shall be loud wailing throughout the land of Egypt , such as has never been, nor will ever be again. But among the Israelites and their animals not even a dog shall growl, so that you may know how the Lord distinguishes between the Egyptians and the Israelites. All these servants of yours shall then come down to me, and prostrate before me, they shall beg me, leave us, you and all your followers’. Only then will I depart.” With that he left Pharaoh’s presence, ……..But the Lord made Pharaoh obstinate, and he would not let the Israelites leave his land (Exodus 11, 4-10).

The king refused to believe Moses’ words, and as was foretold, all the first-born both man and animal died. Grief throughout the land was great, and Pharaoh told Moses to take his people with their herds and flocks and go. He wanted to be free of them and have no more trouble.

The book of Exodus in the Bible describes in detail how God liberated his people. It describes further difficulties and trials on their way. But the point to be noted clearly is that God is interested is His people. When they are slaves and crushed by suffering, still God can lead them to liberty and a new life.

OUR SLAVERY

It is not an experience unknown to me to find myself a prisoner of what seems an impossible situation-my material needs, my daily problems, my health, my sins and weaknesses. I feel that I cannot escape.

In fact, the whole of society seems to be enslaved by evil powers which we cannot escape despite our hopes and desires-corruption, quarrels, jealousy, immorality, war.