Exodus 4:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.

NIV: You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.

NASB: So you are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I Myself will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will instruct you in what you are to do.

CSB: You will speak with him and tell him what to say. I will help both you and him to speak and will teach you both what to do.

NLT: Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do.

KJV: And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

NKJV: Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.

Popular depictions of Moses usually show him delivering rousing speeches and directly confronting Pharaoh. It's true that God spoke to Moses, and through Moses. However, Scripture makes it clear that Aaron, Moses' brother, did most of the public speaking. When Moses expressed doubt about his ability to speak (Exodus 4:10, 13), God arranged for Aaron to act as the spokesman (Exodus 4:14, 16).

Though an important figure in the history of Israel, Aaron was also flawed. His greatest mistake came when Moses appeared before the Lord on Mount Sinai. During this time, Aaron led the people and built a golden calf for them to worship. Many would die in the resulting judgment (Exodus 32). Despite Aaron's failings, God used him to support and encourage his brother Moses, while also serving as spiritual leader and high priest in the tabernacle (Exodus 28:41).

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 7/9/2025 8:03:56 PM