10 And Moses saith unto Jehovah, 'O, my Lord, I 'am' not a man of words, either yesterday, or before, or since Thy speaking unto Thy servant, for I 'am' slow of mouth, and slow of tongue.' 11 And Jehovah saith unto him, 'Who appointed a mouth for man? or who appointeth the dumb, or deaf, or open, or blind? is it not I, Jehovah? 12 and now, go, and I—I am with thy mouth, and have directed thee that which thou speakest;' 13 and he saith, 'O, my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand Thou dost send.' 14 And the anger of Jehovah burneth against Moses, and He saith, 'Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I have known that he speaketh well, and also, lo, he is coming out to meet thee; when he hath seen thee, then he hath rejoiced in his heart, 15 and thou hast spoken unto him, and hast set the words in his mouth, and I—I am with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and have directed you that which ye do; 16 and he, he hath spoken for thee unto the people, and it hath come to pass, he—he is to thee for a mouth, and thou—thou art to him for God; 17 and this rod thou dost take in thy hand, with which thou doest 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.