I will help you speak and will teach you what to say. Exodus 4:12
Since age eight, Lisa had struggled with a stammer and became afraid of social situations that required her to talk with people. But later in life, after speech therapy helped her overcome her challenge, Lisa decided to use her voice to help others. She began volunteering as a counselor for an emotional distress telephone hotline.
Moses had to face his concerns about speaking to help lead the Israelites out of captivity. God asked him to communicate with Pharaoh, but Moses protested because he didn’t feel confident in his speaking ability (Exodus 4:10). God challenged him, “Who gave human beings their mouths?” Then He reassured Moses saying, “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (vv. 11–12).
God’s response reminds us that He can work powerfully through us even in our limitations. But even when we know this in our hearts, it can be hard to live it out. Moses continued to struggle and begged God to send someone else (v. 13). So God allowed Moses’ brother Aaron to accompany him (v. 14).
Each of us has a voice that can help others. We may be afraid. We may not feel capable. We may feel we don’t have the right words.
God knows how we feel. He can provide the words and all we need to serve others and accomplish His work.
10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”z
11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute?a Who gives them sight or makes them blind?b Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go;c I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”d
13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”e
14 Then the Lord’s anger burnedf against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meetg you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth;h I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouthi and as if you were God to him.j 17 But take this staffk in your handl so you can perform the signsm with it.”
INSIGHT
- How might God want to use your words to help others?
- How does it encourage you to know that He works through us even in our fear and weaknesses?
When God called Moses to deliver the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:1–4:17), Moses protested, giving various excuses why he wasn’t the right candidate. He questioned his own identity (3:11); his lack of authority (v. 13); and his suitability, credibility, and acceptability (4:1). He had tried this role previously but was outrightly rejected by his own people. No longer a prince, Moses had been a fugitive and lowly shepherd for the past forty years (2:11–15). But God assured him of His personal involvement (3:14–15) and His powerful presence (vv. 16–20; 4:1–9). In Moses’ fourth excuse, he argued that he lacked the eloquence of a leader (4:10). God promised that He would empower him to speak powerfully and effectively (v. 12). Running out of excuses, Moses asked God to “please send someone else” (v. 13), unveiling the real reason behind his reluctance. He eventually accepted the assignment, and God empowered him as promised (see Acts 7:22).
PRAYER
Dear God, please show me how I can serve You with my voice today. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Exodus 4:10-17 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 1-2; Hebrews 11:1-19
