"Please, Lord," Moses replied, "I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue." “Please, Lord,” Moses replied,Moses answers with humility, yet his plea also reveals hesitation before the God who has appeared in the burning bush. The Lord has commanded him to return to Egypt and lead Israel out of bondage, a task Moses feels unable to undertake. Jdg 6:15 “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel?”… “I have never been eloquent, Moses measures himself by his own ability rather than by the power of the One who sends him. Though he was raised in Pharaoh’s household and had received the advantages of Egypt’s royal court, he does not regard himself as a capable spokesman. Jer 1:6 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak,… neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, Moses insists that even God’s direct revelation has not changed what he sees as his limitation. He expects personal adequacy before accepting the Lord’s call, while God intends to accomplish Israel’s deliverance through a servant who must depend upon Him. Deu 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you… for I am slow of speech and tongue.” Moses identifies a real weakness that would matter greatly before Pharaoh and the Egyptian court, where persuasive speech carried great importance. Yet the Lord who formed the human mouth would provide Aaron as Moses’ spokesman and would teach them what to say. Moses’ weakness would display that Israel’s rescue came not through human eloquence, but through God’s faithful power. Isa 32:4 The mind of the rash will know and understand,… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesA central figure in the Old Testament, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. At this point, Moses is expressing his reluctance and self-doubt about his speaking abilities. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The God of Israel, who appears to Moses in the burning bush and commissions him to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt. 3. The Burning Bush The miraculous event where God speaks to Moses, calling him to deliver the Israelites. This is a pivotal moment in Moses' life and in the history of Israel. Teaching Points God's Strength in Our WeaknessGod often chooses those who feel inadequate to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. The Importance of Obedience Despite personal insecurities, obedience to God's call is crucial. Moses' eventual acceptance of his role led to the liberation of Israel. Trust in God's Provision God equips those He calls. Moses' concern about his speech was met with God's provision of Aaron as a spokesperson. The Role of Humility Moses' humility and recognition of his limitations opened the door for God to work mightily through him. God's Patience and Reassurance God is patient with our doubts and fears, providing reassurance and support as we step into His calling. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' reluctance in Exodus 4:10 reflect our own hesitations when faced with daunting tasks? Can you think of a time when you felt similarly inadequate?2. In what ways does God's response to Moses' self-doubt encourage us to trust in His provision and strength? How can this be applied in your current life situation? 3. Compare Moses' feelings of inadequacy with those of other biblical figures like Jeremiah or Gideon. What common themes do you see, and how does God address them? 4. How does the concept of God using the weak to accomplish His purposes challenge our cultural views of strength and success? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt God calling you to something beyond your abilities. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How might Moses' account inspire a different response in the future? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 3:11-12Moses' initial hesitation and God's assurance of His presence. This highlights Moses' consistent self-doubt and God's promise to be with him. Jeremiah 1:6-8 Jeremiah's similar reluctance due to his youth and God's reassurance, paralleling Moses' feelings of inadequacy. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Paul speaks about God choosing the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong, which aligns with God's choice of Moses despite his perceived weaknesses. People Aaron, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Horeb, Midian, Nile RiverTopics Ah, Either, Eloquent, Hast, Heretofore, Mouth, O, Oh, Past, Please, Recently, Servant, Slow, Speaking, Speech, Spoke, Spoken, Talking, Tongue, YesterdayDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 4:10 1230 God, the Lord 5168 muteness 5102 Moses, life of 6218 provoking God Library January 13. "Thou Shalt be to Him Instead of God" (Ex. Iv. 16). "Thou shalt be to him instead of God" (Ex. iv. 16). Such was God's promise to Moses, and such the high character that Moses was to assume toward Aaron, his brother. May it not suggest a high and glorious place that each of us may occupy toward all whom we meet, instead of God? What a dignity and glory it would give our lives, could we uniformly realize this high calling! How it would lead us to act toward our fellow-men! God can always be depended upon. God is without variableness or shadow of turning. … Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth May the Eleventh but -- --! May the Twelfth Mouth and Matter A Bundle of Myrrh is My Well-Beloved unto Me; He Shall Abide Between My Breasts. Preaching (I. ). To the Saddest of the Sad The Sweet Uses of Adversity "For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die; but if Ye through the Spirit do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live. The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture. The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6. Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children. Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes A Canticle of Love Exodus Links Exodus 4:10 NIVExodus 4:10 NLT Exodus 4:10 ESV Exodus 4:10 NASB Exodus 4:10 KJV Exodus 4:10 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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