That's the situation Moses found himself in.
We all know the story: Moses encounters the burning bush, right? But there's so much more to it than just a fiery spectacle. According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, that initial "Draw not nigh hither" wasn't just about physical proximity. It was a message about the very nature of the mission God was entrusting to him. It was for Moses, and Moses alone.
The voice warned him, Ginzberg continues, not to take on honors meant for others – the priesthood for Aaron, royalty for David. Talk about setting expectations! Then comes the command to remove his shoes, a symbolic act of severing ties with earthly concerns. That meant everything, even his marriage!
Can you imagine being told to give up your conjugal life? Apparently, the angel Michael had the same thought! He questioned God, "Can it be Thy purpose to destroy mankind? Blessing can prevail only if male and female are united..." God's response, as recorded in Legends of the Jews, was that Moses had already fulfilled his duty in that regard. Now, God desired him to unite with the Shekinah, the Divine Presence, so that it might descend upon the earth for his sake. Heavy stuff.
But here's where it gets really interesting: God reveals to Moses not just the near future – Israel receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai – but also the far future, their eventual worship of the golden calf. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, even knowing their future failings, God chose to redeem them based on their present actions, upholding the promise to Jacob: "I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will also surely bring thee up again."
God then commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of His people. But Moses, understandably, balked. "Thou didst undertake to do it Thyself," he argued, "and now it is Thy purpose to send me thither?" He had legitimate concerns, practical ones. How could he possibly feed and care for such a massive population, especially the vulnerable – pregnant women, newborns, children? How could he face the dangers of Egypt? And, most importantly, did Israel even deserve redemption?
He even argued with God about the timeline, pointing out that the appointed time of oppression, according to his calculations from the covenant with Abraham, wasn't yet complete!
But God, in His infinite wisdom, had answers for everything. "I will be with thee," He reassured Moses. "Whatever thou desirest I will do." He promised to provide for the people and assuaged Moses' fears about Israel's worthiness, saying they would be redeemed on account of the merits they would acquire at Mount Sinai. And as for the timeline? God clarified that the four hundred years of bondage began with the birth of Isaac, not Jacob's descent into Egypt.
Finally convinced of God's unwavering resolve, Moses made one last plea: to know God's Great Name. He didn't want to be stumped when the Israelites inevitably asked. God's answer, as recounted in Legends of the Jews, is profound: "My Name is according to My acts." Elohim when judging, Lord Zebaot when battling, El Shaddai in patience, Adonai in mercy. But for the Israelites, he was to say, "I am He that was, that is, and that ever will be." According to the text, Moses' reaction to learning about God's name seems reluctant, with Moses saying “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
And get this: God even revealed the future was only for Moses' ears, not for the people. A little too much to handle at once.
But the story doesn't end there. Moses, still hesitant, questions why God first identified Himself as the God of his father but now only as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God, in a moment of striking honesty, admits that the initial flattery was just that – flattery. The true relationship was with the patriarchs themselves.
Ultimately, God agreed to reveal His Great and Holy Name to Moses, a secret so powerful that the celestials themselves cried out in praise. And, knowing Pharaoh's stubbornness, God forewarned Moses of the challenges ahead, lest he later accuse God of deception.
It's a powerful story, isn't it? It reminds us that even the greatest leaders grapple with doubt, fear, and a sense of inadequacy. Moses' initial refusal, his questioning, his bargaining… it all makes him so relatable, so human. And it highlights the immense responsibility that comes with being chosen, with being called to a purpose larger than oneself. What would we do if we were in Moses' sandals?