Exodus 4:15-16
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This verse reveals God's profound partnership not just in guiding Moses, but also in empowering Aaron, who was already a capable speaker. It's easy to overlook that even Aaron, Moses' eloquent brother, still needed God's direct presence to speak effectively and to learn what to do, showing that divine enablement is essential for everyone.
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. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses has just expressed his deep reluctance and inability to speak to Pharaoh, highlighting his lack of eloquence. In response, God appoints Aaron, Moses' brother, to be his spokesman, promising to be with both their mouths and teach them what to say and do. This divine assurance aims to equip Moses and Aaron for the monumental task of confronting Pharaoh and leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
Moses felt totally unqualified for the monumental task God called him to. He wasn't eloquent, he stammered, and he just wanted out! But God had a plan.
God's calling isn't based on our abilities, but on His power working through us. When God calls someone, He doesn't expect them to already be perfect. Instead, He promises to be their strength and their guide.
Divine Enablement
Think about it: Moses was a shepherd, not a public speaker. He was hesitant and fearful. But God looked at him and saw potential, not just limitations. God’s promise here is a clear message: 'I will provide what you lack.' He doesn't just give us a job to do; He gives us the tools and the ability to do it.
God didn't just hand Moses a script and walk away. He established a divine partnership, involving both Moses and Aaron, to accomplish His purposes.
This passage shows a beautiful picture of divine collaboration. God assigns Moses the task of relaying His message to Aaron, essentially 'putting words in his mouth.' Then, God promises to be present with both their mouths.
A Shared Responsibility
This isn't just about Moses dictating and Aaron speaking. It's about God working through both of them. Moses, despite his own struggles, is tasked with instructing Aaron, and Aaron, the eloquent speaker, is to be the voice. God’s presence ensures that the message is right, the delivery is effective, and the action taken is according to His will. It’s a reminder that God often works through multiple people, each with unique gifts, towards a common goal.
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Moses' struggle with speech and God's solution to appoint Aaron as his spokesperson highlights God's power to use even those with perceived weaknesses to accomplish His divine purposes.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Israelites Enslaved in Egypt
The Israelites have been living in Egypt for generations and have become a vast population. The new Pharaoh, fearing their numbers, has enslaved them and imposed harsh labor.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Flees Egypt
After killing an Egyptian overseer, Moses flees Egypt and lives as a shepherd in Midian for 40 years.
c. 1406 BC
The Burning Bush Encounter
God appears to Moses at the burning bush and commissions him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery.
c. 1406 BC
Aaron Appointed Spokesperson
Moses expresses his inadequacy for the task due to his speech impediment, so God appoints his brother Aaron to be his spokesman.
This passage shows a similar divine commissioning where God promises to put words in the prophet's mouth, reassuring him that He is with him to speak and deliver. This mirrors the promise to Moses and Aaron that God would guide their speech.
Isaiah 59:20-21This prophetic promise speaks of a Redeemer coming to Zion to remove ungodliness and bestow His Spirit, who will put God's words on the mouths of His people. It echoes the concept of God directly enabling His servants to speak His message.
Matthew 10:19-20Jesus tells His disciples not to worry about what they will say when arrested, because the Spirit of their Father will be speaking through them. This is a New Testament parallel to God's direct empowerment of His messengers through His presence.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13Paul explains that believers receive the Spirit of God so they can understand God’s gifts and that they speak about these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit. This highlights the divine source of inspired speech, aligning with God putting words in Moses' and Aaron's mouths.
gillExodus 4:15: "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."
And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth,.... Or "things" (z), the matter and substance of what he should say, who being a man of words, an eloquent man, and a good spokesman, would put them into proper language, and express them fluently: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shal…
calvinExodus 4:10-17: "And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue."
And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
Et iratus est furor Jehovae contra Mosen, et dixit, Annon Aharon…
This verse reveals God's profound partnership not just in guiding Moses, but also in empowering Aaron, who was already a capable speaker. It's easy to overlook that even Aaron, Moses' eloquent brother, still needed God's direct presence to speak effectively and to learn what to do, showing that divine enablement is essential for everyone.
Moses has just expressed his deep reluctance and inability to speak to Pharaoh, highlighting his lack of eloquence. In response, God appoints Aaron, Moses' brother, to be his spokesman, promising to be with both their mouths and teach them what to say and do. This divine assurance aims to equip Moses and Aaron for the monumental task of confronting Pharaoh and leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
Moses has just expressed his deep reluctance and inability to speak to Pharaoh, highlighting his lack of eloquence. In response, God appoints Aaron, Moses' brother, to be his spokesman, promising to be with both their mouths and teach them what to say and do. This divine assurance aims to equip Moses and Aaron for the monumental task of confronting Pharaoh and leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
"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. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him." — This verse reveals God's profound partnership not just in guiding Moses, but also in empowering Aaron, who was already a capable speaker. It's easy to overlook that even Aaron, Moses' eloquent brothe…
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Last reviewed October 2026
