What is the meaning of Exodus 4:10? Please, Lord, - Moses addresses God with a respectful plea, acknowledging His sovereignty while revealing his own hesitance. - Similar moments of humble protest appear in Exodus 3:11, Isaiah 6:5, and Jeremiah 1:6, showing that God’s servants often feel inadequate when confronted with divine assignments. Moses replied, - The verse is part of an ongoing dialogue (Exodus 3–4) in which God patiently answers Moses’ objections one by one. - God welcomes real conversation; He “reasoned” with Abraham (Genesis 18:22-33) and listened to Gideon’s concerns (Judges 6:12-17). - Moses’ reply illustrates that reluctance does not necessarily equal rebellion; it is often the starting point for deeper dependence. I have never been eloquent, - Moses claims a lifelong lack of rhetorical skill, in contrast to Acts 7:22, where Stephen recalls Moses as “powerful in speech and action.” Forty years in Midian may have eroded his confidence, yet the passage highlights how memory of past strength can fade when we focus on present weakness. - Scripture repeatedly shows God’s preference for using the unimpressive (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) so that His power, not human polish, receives the glory. neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, - Moses implies that even God’s direct call has not altered his limitations. - Like Gideon (Judges 6:15) and Zechariah (Luke 1:18), he expects immediate personal transformation as proof of appointment. - God often calls first and equips along the journey (Hebrews 13:20-21), reminding us that obedience precedes empowerment. for I am slow of speech and tongue. - Whether Moses had an actual speech impediment or simply felt inadequate, the emphasis is on perceived incapacity. - The Lord responds in Exodus 4:11-12, asserting His creative authority over the human mouth and promising, “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say”. - This theme continues in 2 Corinthians 3:5 and 2 Corinthians 4:7: human weakness becomes the stage for divine strength. summary Exodus 4:10 captures Moses’ heartfelt confession of inadequacy: he feels unskilled, unchanged, and unable to speak. His honesty invites God’s assurance that the Creator of speech equips those He sends. The verse reminds us that reluctance can coexist with reverence, and that God delights in displaying His power through vessels keenly aware of their weaknesses. |
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