Exodus 6:12 – “But Moses said to the Lord, ‘If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?’”
Extended Explanation
Exodus 6:12 captures a moment of deep self-doubt and discouragement in Moses’ journey as God’s chosen leader. In this verse, Moses is responding to God’s command to go back to Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. However, Moses is overwhelmed by his perceived inadequacies. He points out that if the Israelites, his own people, wouldn’t listen to him, how could he possibly convince Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler in the land? Moses also mentions his “faltering lips,” referring to his perceived lack of eloquence or perhaps a speech impediment, which further compounds his sense of inadequacy for the task at hand. This verse reveals Moses’ struggle with his own limitations and his need for reassurance from God.
Historical Context
The historical context of Exodus 6:12 is set during a period of intense hardship for the Israelites in Egypt. They have been enduring slavery for centuries, and despite Moses’ earlier attempts to secure their freedom, their situation has only worsened. Pharaoh had responded to Moses’ demands with increased labor and cruelty, leaving the people even more discouraged. Moses himself had faced rejection from the Israelites and felt inadequate in his role as their leader. This verse comes after God had reaffirmed His promises to deliver the Israelites, yet Moses still wrestles with doubt, questioning whether he is the right person for the job.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse highlights the human tendency to focus on our own weaknesses rather than on God’s strength. Moses’ response reflects a common struggle: the fear that our inadequacies will prevent us from fulfilling God’s calling. This verse teaches us that God’s work is not dependent on human ability but on His power. God often chooses to work through those who feel unqualified or weak, so that His strength is made perfect in their weakness. This challenges us to trust in God’s calling and His ability to equip us for the tasks He sets before us, even when we feel inadequate.
Literary Analysis
Literarily, Exodus 6:12 serves as a moment of tension in the narrative. The verse contrasts God’s clear command with Moses’ hesitation and self-doubt. This tension highlights the dramatic nature of the unfolding story, where God’s plans will come to fruition despite human frailty. The mention of “faltering lips” adds a personal, almost vulnerable, aspect to Moses’ character, making him relatable to anyone who has ever felt inadequate or unprepared for a challenge. The verse sets the stage for God’s continued reassurance and intervention, emphasizing the theme of God’s power working through human weakness.
Biblical Cross-References
Exodus 6:12 can be cross-referenced with other passages that explore themes of self-doubt, divine calling, and God’s power in weakness:
- Exodus 4:10: Where Moses first expresses his concern about his speaking abilities and God reassures him.
- Jeremiah 1:6-8: Where the prophet Jeremiah expresses similar fears of inadequacy, and God encourages him by promising His presence.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9: Where Paul speaks of God’s power being made perfect in weakness, offering a New Testament perspective on the same theme.
- Isaiah 6:5-8: Where the prophet Isaiah, feeling unworthy, is cleansed and commissioned by God, showing that God equips those He calls.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Exodus 6:12 is a reminder that feelings of inadequacy are normal but should not deter us from following God’s calling. Like Moses, we may feel unqualified or insufficient for the tasks God places before us. However, this verse encourages us to remember that God is not limited by our weaknesses. Instead, He often works through them to accomplish His purposes. This verse challenges us to shift our focus from our own limitations to God’s limitless power, trusting that He will provide what we need to fulfill His will.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Exodus 6:12 reveals God’s love and patience toward those He calls. Despite Moses’ doubts and fears, God does not rebuke him harshly. Instead, God continues to reassure Moses and equip him for the task ahead. This verse shows that God understands our human frailties and meets us where we are. His love is evident in the way He works with us, even when we struggle with doubt or fear. God’s love is not conditional on our perfection; it is steadfast and accommodating of our weaknesses, providing the support we need to carry out His plans.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ in the way it highlights God’s use of the humble and the weak to accomplish His purposes. Just as God chose Moses, a man who felt inadequate, to lead the Israelites, He chose Jesus, who came in humility and lived as a servant, to bring about the greatest deliverance of all—salvation from sin. In Philippians 2:7-8, we see that Jesus “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,” demonstrating that God’s power is often revealed through humility and seeming weakness. Jesus’ life and ministry embody the principle that God’s strength is perfected in weakness, offering hope to all who feel inadequate or unworthy of God’s calling.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever felt inadequate or unqualified for something God was calling you to do? How did you respond?
- How does Moses’ struggle with self-doubt in this verse encourage you in your own walk of faith?
- In what ways can this verse challenge you to trust more in God’s power than in your own abilities?
- How does understanding Jesus’ humility and service help you to see God’s strength in your own weaknesses?
- What practical steps can you take to overcome self-doubt and step out in faith, trusting that God will equip you for what He calls you to do?
Exodus 6:12 is a powerful reminder that God’s call often comes with challenges, but He is faithful to provide what we need to fulfill His purposes. It encourages us to trust in His strength rather than our own and to step out in faith, knowing that God can work through our weaknesses to accomplish great things.