Exodus 4:13-16 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:14

Verse 14 14.And the anger of the Lord was kindled. This passage confirms, by opposition, that expression, that there is no better sacrifice than to obey the voice of the Lord, (1 Samuel 15:22,) since God is so grievously offended with the hesitation of Moses, in spite of his specious excuses. But nothing is more pleasing to God than to maintain the authority of his word, and that men should suffer themselves to be guided by this rein. God had pardoned His servant’s slowness and unwillingness to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:16

Verse 16 16.And he shall be thy spokesman. God destroys the pretext for his exemption, by assigning to his brother the office of spokesman, and yet does He not put the other in his place; nay, so merciful is the arrangement, that while He yields to His servant’s prayer, He yet confers honor upon him in spite of himself. The offices are thus divided — Moses is to have the authority, Aaron is to be the interpreter. Thus Moses is set before his brother, from no respect to his own dignity; because... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The reluctance of Moses to undertake the part of leader, indicated by his first reply at his first calling, "Who am I that I should go?" etc. ( Exodus 3:11 ), was not yet overcome. God had promised that he would succeed; but he did not see how he could succeed, either with the people or with Pharaoh. It was not enough for him that God had declared, "They (the people) shall hearken unto thy voice" ( Exodus 3:18 ); he does not, cannot believe this, and replies: "Behold, they will not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

Divine supplements for human infirmity. "Now therefore go, and I will be with thee," etc. ( Exodus 4:12 .) It is not at all clear whether the four objections urged by Moses against receiving the Divine commission were presented at one interview with the manifested God, or whether the controversy recorded Ex 3:1-4:17, occupied weeks or months. The probabilities are in favour of some considerable time. See Exodus 4:10 , and specially in the Hebrews In dealing with this particular plea,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10-17

Slow of speech. The longer Moses pondered the mission on which he was sent, the more he shrank from it. The difficulty which now oppressed him was his want of eloquence. It seemed to him that in this respect he was the least qualified person God could have chosen. There was needed for such a work a man of persuasive tongue, of fluent, forcible, and impressive speech; and his own utterance was hesitating and heavy. Overwhelmed with the sense of unfitness, he again appeals to God, and asks... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10-17

God's wrath will fall where his service is declined. I. MOSES ' OBJECTION AND GOD 'S ANSWER (10-12). 1 . He deems himself unfit to occupy the place even of spokesman to the Lord. The objection was based upon a real infirmity, which so far God had not removed. The same objection urged as a reason to-day for not engaging in Sunday-school work, etc. The want of power may be real, but is it a sufficient reason for refusal? 2 . God's answer. Our weakness will merely afford... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:11-13

Who hath made man's mouth! God could and would have cured the defect in Moses' speech, whatever it was; could and would have added eloquence to his other gifts, if he had even at this point yielded himself up unreservedly to his guidance and heartily accepted his mission. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. He gives all powers—sight, and hearing, and speech included—to whom he will. He would have been "with Moses' mouth," removing all hesitation or indistinctness, and have "taught him what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:13

A servant's difficulties. Observe— I. WHAT THEY WERE . Moses' difficulties resolved themselves into three. 1 . The power of Pharaoh. "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?" ( Exodus 3:10 ). We may be staggered by the thought of the powers that are arrayed against us. 2 . The anticipated unbelief of the people ( Exodus 4:1 ). The preacher has to encounter hard and unbelieving hearts, and this may enfeeble and dishearten him. 3 . His lack of gifts ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:13-14

The sin of self-distrust, and its punishment. Undoubtedly the general inclination of men is towards self-assertion and self-sufficiency, so that diffidence and distrust of self are commonly regarded as excellences. But there is a diffidence which is wrongful, a self-distrust which Scripture condemns. St. Paul calls it "a voluntary humility" ( ἐθελοταπεινοφροσύνη )—a humblemindedness, that is, which has its root in the will; a man not choosing to think that he is fit for high things,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:13-16

Moses, taking a step too far, is suddenly arrested. In Exodus 4:13 we must evidently look at the spirit of the words, rather than the words themselves. There is nothing wrong in the words. Uttered in a different tone and in different circumstances they might have drawn forth the approval of God rather than his anger. They might be used as expressing the most devout submissiveness, the consciousness of one who, though he is treading forth into darkness and danger, is sure that he is... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:11-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:13-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:13-16

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