Exodus 6:30
But Moses said to the LORD, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Moses's statement "of uncircumcised lips" isn't just about being a poor speaker; it highlights his deep-seated inadequacy and sense of unworthiness before God's immense task. He's not just saying he's not eloquent, but that his very being feels unprepared and unfit to represent God to a powerful king like Pharaoh.
Just before this, God had reiterated His promise to Moses to deliver the Israelites, assuring him that He would act powerfully against Pharaoh. Moses, however, expresses his deep inadequacy, feeling his own poor speaking ability will make Pharaoh dismiss him. This exchange sets the stage for God's direct empowerment of Moses and Aaron in the following chapter.
Moses feels disqualified to speak to Pharaoh, calling his lips 'uncircumcised.' What does this mean for us when God calls us to speak or act?
Moses' cry, 'Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips,' isn't just about a speech impediment. It reflects a deep-seated inadequacy and fear of failure. He feels incapable of speaking effectively, especially to a powerful king like Pharaoh, who would be surrounded by eloquent advisors.
A Broken Instrument
Think of it like this: God wants to tune an instrument to play a beautiful melody, but Moses feels like the instrument itself is flawed, unable to produce the right notes. His lips are 'uncircumcised' – meaning they are unsuitable, unprepared, or perhaps even unclean for the sacred task God has given him. He questions how Pharaoh, a ruler accustomed to powerful orators, could possibly listen to someone he perceives as having such poor speaking abilities.
This reveals a crucial truth: often, God calls us to tasks that expose our weaknesses. He doesn't choose the most qualified or eloquent; He chooses those who will ultimately depend on Him for their strength and effectiveness.
Moses felt utterly unable to convince Pharaoh. Yet, God's response wasn't to find someone else, but to equip Moses. How does God work through our limitations?
The remarkable thing about this exchange is God's response to Moses' confession of inadequacy. Instead of finding a more eloquent speaker, God assures Moses that He will be with him and will empower him.
Divine Empowerment
God tells Moses, essentially, 'I will put the words in your mouth, and I will make you effective.' He appoints Aaron to speak to Pharaoh, but the message and the ultimate power behind it come directly from the LORD. This is God’s consistent pattern: He takes our weaknesses and uses them to display His strength.
Pharaoh’s heart is ultimately hardened by God, not just because Moses is a poor speaker, but because God is demonstrating His sovereign power over Egypt and its gods. Moses' perceived weakness becomes the very stage upon which God’s mighty power is showcased.
Understand the original words
arel sephatayim · Hebrew Adjective phrase
A metaphorical expression describing one who feels unqualified, hindered, or unable to speak effectively for God, suggesting a lack of ceremonial purity or eloquence in presenting the divine message.
Moses' deep-seated insecurity about his speaking ability, rooted in his perceived stammer, highlights the tension between human weakness and divine empowerment. This moment underscores that God's plans often rely not on perfect instruments, but on His perfect power working through imperfect people.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus Begins
God calls Moses to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, initiating the Exodus. This event is the central narrative surrounding Moses' doubts and God's reaffirmation of His power.
c. 1446 BC
Moses' Call to Leadership
God appears to Moses at the burning bush, commissioning him to deliver the Israelites. Moses expresses his inadequacy and fear of speaking to Pharaoh.
c. 1446 BC
Confrontations with Pharaoh
Moses and Aaron deliver God's message to Pharaoh, who repeatedly hardens his heart, leading to a series of plagues upon Egypt.
c. 1446 BC
The Ten Plagues
A series of devastating plagues are sent upon Egypt as God demonstrates His power over Egyptian gods and Pharaoh's authority, ultimately breaking his will.
Just as Moses felt unqualified due to his 'uncircumcised lips,' David felt ill-equipped to face Goliath, relying on God's power rather than his own perceived weaknesses.
Jeremiah 1:6The prophet Jeremiah expressed a similar sense of inadequacy, feeling too young and unable to speak, but God assured him He would put His words in his mouth, just as He would empower Moses.
2 Corinthians 12:9This passage speaks of God's power being made perfect in weakness, directly addressing Moses' feelings of being of 'uncircumcised lips' and assuring him that God's strength would be his.
Isaiah 6:5Isaiah's encounter with God led him to cry out, 'Woe is me! For I am a man of unclean lips,' mirroring Moses' fear of speaking to Pharaoh and highlighting how divine encounters often reveal our inadequacy, requiring God's cleansing and commissioning.
pooleExodus 6:30: "And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?"
No text from Poole on this verse.
gillExodus 6:30: "And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?"
And Moses said before the Lord, behold, I am of uncircumcised lips,.... As he had done, Exodus 6:13 , and this is only a repetition of what is there said, in order to lead on to what is related in the following chapter: how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me? so mean a person, and so poor a speaker, and he a mighty king, surrounded with wise counsellors and eloquent orators.
Moses's statement "of uncircumcised lips" isn't just about being a poor speaker; it highlights his deep-seated inadequacy and sense of unworthiness before God's immense task. He's not just saying he's not eloquent, but that his very being feels unprepared and unfit to represent God to a powerful king like Pharaoh.
Just before this, God had reiterated His promise to Moses to deliver the Israelites, assuring him that He would act powerfully against Pharaoh. Moses, however, expresses his deep inadequacy, feeling his own poor speaking ability will make Pharaoh dismiss him. This exchange sets the stage for God's direct empowerment of Moses and Aaron in the following chapter.
Just before this, God had reiterated His promise to Moses to deliver the Israelites, assuring him that He would act powerfully against Pharaoh. Moses, however, expresses his deep inadequacy, feeling his own poor speaking ability will make Pharaoh dismiss him. This exchange sets the stage for God's direct empowerment of Moses and Aaron in the following chapter.
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"But Moses said to the LORD, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”" — Moses's statement "of uncircumcised lips" isn't just about being a poor speaker; it highlights his deep-seated inadequacy and sense of unworthiness before God's immense task. He's not just saying he'…
