Exodus 4:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."

NIV: Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

NASB: Now then go, and I Myself will be with your mouth, and instruct you in what you are to say.'

CSB: Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say."

NLT: Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.'

KJV: Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

NKJV: Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

After Moses claimed he was a poor speaker (Exodus 4:10), God noted that he controls man's mouth (Exodus 4:11). Instead, God commands Moses to "go." The Lord also makes it clear that He will provide Moses with the words he needs at the right time. But Moses will continue to express doubt (Exodus 4:13). God will respond with annoyance at Moses' attitude (Exodus 4:14).

Today people remember Moses as the man who freed the Jews from Egyptian slavery. However, his original divine call was marked by fear and insecurity. He was an eighty-year-old shepherd (Exodus 7:7) who probably assumed his life would soon pass. Yet God had other plans. He would reunite Moses with his brother Aaron and sister Miriam (Exodus 15:20). The Lord would use Moses to lead the Jews for forty years. God often works in unexpected ways through unexpected people. Moses' call to serve God is evidence of how the Lord uses people of all ages and backgrounds to accomplish big things.

Exodus 4:10–17 records Moses resisting God's call by pointing out his poor speaking ability. When God says He will endow Moses with the right words at the right time, Moses is still overwhelmed and skeptical. Though angry at the lack of faith, God responds by appointing Moses' brother, Aaron, to be the public spokesman, bringing words from God through Moses.

While speaking with God in the form of a supernaturally burning bush, Moses expresses a lack of confidence. God gives Moses several miraculous signs so he can prove the source of his message. Moses is still unsure because of his poor speech. Though irritated, God appoints Moses' brother, Aaron, to be the spokesman while Moses relays the words of God. Moses returns to Egypt. Along the way, he nearly dies due to God's anger over some issue related to circumci-sion. After meeting his brother, Moses convinces the elders of Israel that his mission is genuine.

Moses, born an Israelite (Exodus 2:1) but raised by an Egyptian princess (Exodus 2:10) fled into exile after killing an abu-sive Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:14–15). Later, Moses meets God (Exodus 3:6) and receives the initial command to challenge Pharaoh for the freedom of the Israelites (Exodus 3:18–20). In this chapter, Moses makes excuses about his public speaking and nearly dies because of an uncircumcised son. Israel's elders believe Moses' story. But in the next chapter, Moses' early confrontation with Pharaoh goes poorly; the people are worked even hard-er (Exodus 5:5–9) and they begin to turn against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 6/1/2025 2:15:18 PM