10 Then Moses said to the Lord , "Please , Lord , I have never been eloquent e , neither recently e nor in time past , nor since You have spoken to Your servant ; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue ." 11 The Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth ? Or who makes him mute or deaf , or seeing or blind ? Is it not I, the Lord ? 12 "Now then go , and I, even I, will be with your mouth , and teach you what you are to say ." 13 But he said , "Please , Lord , now send the message by whomever You will ." 14 Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses , and He said , "Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite ? I know that he speaks fluently . And moreover , behold , he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart . 15 "You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth ; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth , and I will teach you what you are to do . 16 "Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people ; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him. 17 "You shall take in your hand this staff , with which you shall perform the signs ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 4:10-17
Commentary on Exodus 4:10-17
(Read Exodus 4:10-17)
Moses continued backward to the work God designed him for; there was much of cowardice, slothfulness, and unbelief in him. We must not judge of men by the readiness of their discourse. A great deal of wisdom and true worth may be with a slow tongue. God sometimes makes choice of those as his messengers, who have the least of the advantages of art or nature, that his grace in them may appear the more glorious. Christ's disciples were no orators, till the Holy Spirit made them such. God condescends to answer the excuse of Moses. Even self-diffidence, when it hinders us from duty, or clogs us in duty, is very displeasing to the Lord. But while we blame Moses for shrinking from this dangerous service, let us ask our own hearts if we are not neglecting duties more easy, and less perilous. The tongue of Aaron, with the head and heart of Moses, would make one completely fit for this errand. God promises, I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth. Even Aaron, who could speak well, yet could not speak to purpose, unless God gave constant teaching and help; for without the constant aid of Divine grace, the best gifts will fail.