Bible Characters Who Made Excuses And What We Can Learn From Them
Excuses, excuses. We’ve all made them at some point in our lives. They roll off the tongue so easily when we want to justify or explain away something we’ve done or failed to do. But what does the Bible say about making excuses?
As it turns out, several prominent bible characters fell into the trap of making excuses when faced with a tough situation or a call from God. Their stories serve as cautionary tales that we would be wise to heed today.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Some major figures in the Bible who made excuses include Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, and the servants in the Parable of the Talents. Though their excuses seemed reasonable at the time, these characters missed out on God’s plan for them.
Their stories remind us not to let excuses get in the way of obedience and fulfilling our God-given purpose.
In this comprehensive article, we will closely examine the stories of bible characters who made excuses, looking at the context behind their excuses and the consequences they faced.
We’ll also draw out timeless lessons and principles from each story that Christians can apply to avoid falling into the same trap today.
Moses – Fear of Inadequacy
Moses’ Excuses about Public Speaking
When God first appeared to Moses in the burning bush and called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses gave several excuses expressing his fears and sense of inadequacy (Exodus 3:11).
Specifically, Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
He felt that he lacked credentials and persuasive ability before the king of Egypt.
In response, God promised to be with Moses (Exodus 3:12). But Moses continued raising objections, asking what he should say if the Israelites ask the name of the God who sent him.
God then revealed His name as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Still, Moses brought up another excuse: ” But suppose they will not believe me or listen to me?”
God then gave Moses three miraculous signs to perform to convince the Israelites – turning his staff into a snake, making his hand leprous, and turning water from the Nile to blood (Exodus 4:1-9).
God’s Response to Moses’ Excuses
Yet Moses still felt unqualified as a public speaker, saying to God: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and tongue (Exodus 4:10).”
At this point, God’s anger burned against Moses because of his ongoing excuses (Exodus 4:14). God had clearly called Moses to this task, yet Moses only focused on his inadequacies rather than God’s power and promises.
So in response, God appointed Moses’ brother Aaron to assist him by speaking for him (Exodus 4:14-17).
Lessons for Us Today
Like Moses, we may feel inadequate for tasks or roles God calls us to. However, dwelling only on our weaknesses fails to trust God’s strength.
As 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Rather than making excuses, we should obey despite our limitations, relying on God’s help. We learn from Moses that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Our insufficiency itself teaches us to depend fully on God, not ourselves.
Jeremiah – Youth and Inexperience
Jeremiah’s Excuse Based on Age
When God first called Jeremiah to be a prophet, Jeremiah responded with an excuse based on his young age.
At the time, Jeremiah said, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young” (Jeremiah 1:6).
Jeremiah assumed that his youth and inexperience disqualified him from speaking for God. Many of us can relate to feeling too young or inexperienced for the tasks God gives us. However, age does not determine our readiness for God’s call.
God Affirms His Call on Jeremiah’s Life
Despite Jeremiah questioning his calling based on age, God affirmed that he had appointed Jeremiah before he was even born, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Additionally, God touched Jeremiah’s mouth and put His words into Jeremiah’s mouth, promising to go with Jeremiah wherever He sent him (Jeremiah 1:7-9).
Similarly, God may call us to things that seem beyond our capabilities or experience level.
However, if God calls us to something, He will equip us with everything we need to accomplish it. We simply need to trust Him rather than making excuses.
What Jeremiah’s Story Means for Us
There are a few key lessons we can take from Jeremiah using his age and inexperience as an excuse to avoid God’s call:
- God sees our potential, not just our current state. He may call us based on who He knows we can become.
- If God calls us, our circumstances like age or inexperience are irrelevant. God qualifies those He calls.
- Rather than making excuses, we need to step out in faith when we sense God’s leading. He promises to equip us for what He calls us to.
In the end, Jeremiah overcame his hesitation and went on to courageously speak for God for over 40 years. We too can move past excuses that prevent us from fulfilling our God-given purpose.
If Jeremiah had continued making excuses, he would have missed out on being used powerfully by God.
The same is true for us today.
Jonah – Unwillingness and Disobedience
Jonah’s Excuse to Avoid God’s Call
Jonah was a prophet during the reign of King Jeroboam II. When God called Jonah to go to the wicked city of Nineveh and preach repentance, Jonah refused and tried to run away.
Jonah allowed his personal feelings about the Ninevites to override God’s command. Instead of obeying, he booked a ship heading the opposite direction to Tarshish. Jonah used avoidance and disobedience as an excuse to get out of doing what God required of him.
Consequences Jonah Faced
Jonah’s disobedience didn’t turn out well for him. God sent a huge storm while he was at sea, forcing the sailors to throw Jonah overboard at his own request.
He was then swallowed by a great fish and spent three days in its belly before getting spit up on dry land (Jonah 1:4-17).
This consequences of this ordeal caused Jonah to repent and obey God’s call to preach in Nineveh, albeit still reluctantly.
Jonah’s example reminds us that we can’t run away from God. Disobeying His commands always leads to unnecessary suffering and hardship. If Jonah had obeyed right away instead of making excuses, he could have avoided the storm and near-death experience in the fish’s belly.
But because of his unwillingness, he had to learn the hard way.
Applying Jonah’s Story to Our Own Lives
All of us can behave like Jonah at times. We make excuses when God prompts us to step out in faith and obedience:
- “I’m too busy right now to help that person in need.”
- “I’ll share the Gospel some other time when it’s more convenient.”
- “I don’t have time to read my Bible today.”
The truth is, obedience often requires sacrifice and going against our natural inclinations. If God is nudging you to take a step of faith – do it without delay. Don’t let excuses hinder you from fulfilling His purpose. Acting in obedience always leads to blessing, while excuses lead to consequences.
When we obey God’s call, He can work powerfully through us.
For Jonah, preaching in Nineveh resulted in the largest mass conversion recorded in the Bible – over 120,000 people repented (Jonah 3:5)! Imagine the blessing Jonah would have missed if he persisted in his disobedience.
God is gracious and ready to forgive when we fail Him. For Jonah, repentance restored his relationship with God. The same is true for us. It’s never too late to change course and obey what God is asking of you today.
Don’t let excuses keep you from fulfilling your destiny!
Servants in Parable of the Talents – Fear and Inaction
The Servant’s Excuse in the Parable
When the master returns from his journey, he asks each servant what they have done with the talents he gave them.
The first two servants doubled their talents through investment and gain the master’s approval. However, the third servant, perhaps out of fear and anxiety, buried his one talent in the ground instead of investing it.
His excuse to the master was, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground” (vv. 24-25).
Though seemingly reasonable at first glance, the servant’s excuse stemmed ultimately from fear, anxiety, and inaction rather than wisdom or love for the master.
The Master’s Response
The master does not accept the excuse of the servant who buried his talent. He calls him “wicked and slothful” for not even putting the money on deposit with the bankers to earn interest (v. 26).
The talent still belonged to the master, and the servant had a responsibility to make it productive, even minimally, rather than sit and do nothing with it.
The master orders for the one talent to be taken from this servant and given to the one who gained ten talents through investment (v. 28).
Jesus’ point is that gifts, resources, and opportunities should not be wasted or go unused due to fear, apathy, or selfish attitudes.
Just as the master expected a return, God expects us to use what He has given us for His glory and the blessing of others.
Lessons on Using Our Gifts and Abilities
There are important lessons we can learn from the servant who buried his talent:
- Fear of failure can lead to inaction. Courage is needed to invest our gifts and bear fruit.
- Burying our talents may seem safe but displeases God who gave them to us to use.
- Even minimal effort (putting money in the bank) is better than doing nothing at all.
- The talents we fail to use may be given to others more willing.
- God evaluates our faithfulness in small things when assigning larger responsibilities (Luke 16:10).
Rather than give into fear, apathy, or bitterness, we honor God by courageously developing and sharing the unique gifts He has given, whether they seem large or small.
Just as the master rewarded his faithful servants, God promises eternal rewards to those who serve Him well (Mt 25:21, 23).
Conclusion
The stories of Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, and the servant in the Parable of the Talents reveal a common thread – when faced with a challenging assignment from God, each initially reacted by making excuses. However, their excuses did not stand up to God’s calling and purposes in their lives.
Though they tried to justify their hesitation, their excuses only delayed or derailed God’s plan for them.
As we examine excuses in the Bible, several vital lessons emerge for Christians today. We must be wary of letting fear, hesitation, disobedience or apathy prevent us from fulfilling God’s calling. When God calls us to a difficult task or assignment, we should not make excuses but step out in faith, relying on His strength.
Just as God equipped each bible character for the work He called them to, He promises to empower us as well. May the stories of those who made excuses strengthen our resolve to faithfully follow wherever God leads, without hesitation or excuse.
