Exodus 4:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."

NIV: But Moses said, "Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else."

NASB: But he said, 'Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.'

CSB: Moses said, "Please, Lord, send someone else."

NLT: But Moses again pleaded, 'Lord, please! Send anyone else.'

KJV: And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

NKJV: But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”

Moses has offered four previous excuses against God's call (Exodus 3:10). These included lack of importance (Exodus 3:11), lack of knowledge (Exodus 3:13–14), skeptics (Exodus 4:1) and lack of speaking talent (Exodus 4:10). God has relieved all of these, so far. Now Moses gives up trying to provide an excuse and simply asks God not to send him. The Hebrew language here suggests that Moses is literally asking to give back his "hand," so the Lord can find someone else.

A similar response is found in the life of Jonah. God tells Him to speak against Nineveh, yet Jonah refused and instead ran from God. However, God ultimately used a storm and large fish to change Jonah's mind and accomplish His plan. Moses did not run, but rather sought to avoid accepting God's call. In this case, God will be angry (Exodus 4:14) but will also provide human assistance through his brother Aaron as a source of encouragement.

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 5/21/2025 3:45:55 AM