Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall say.
Psalm 25:4,5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths…
Psalm 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
I will help you as you speak,
God's promise to assist Moses addresses Moses' earlier concerns about his speaking abilities (Exodus 4:10). This assurance highlights God's provision and empowerment, reminiscent of His support to other prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:9). It underscores the theme of divine enablement, where God equips those He calls, ensuring that human limitations do not hinder His purposes.
and I will teach you what to say.”
This phrase indicates God's ongoing guidance and instruction, suggesting a relationship where God actively communicates His will. It parallels the promise given to the disciples in the New Testament, where Jesus assures them that the Holy Spirit will teach them what to say in times of persecution (Luke 12:12). This reflects the continuity of God's guidance throughout biblical history and foreshadows the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
- The Lord’s command is immediate and action–oriented. After addressing Moses’ fears (Exodus 4:1–11), God cuts through hesitation with a decisive call.
- Similar urgency appears when Jesus tells His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). Obedience is expected without delay.
- Abraham’s prompt departure at God’s word (Genesis 12:1-4) models the same faith–driven response.
- The lesson: God’s people do not wait for perfect conditions; they move forward because His word is sufficient.
- God promises ongoing aid, not a one-time boost. He will be present in Moses’ very act of speaking.
• Jeremiah heard a like assurance: “Do not be afraid… for I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:8).
• Jesus told the apostles, “It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:20).
- Divine help neutralizes human weakness. Paul confessed, “My message… was a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).
- We learn that reliance on God, not eloquence, is the key to effective witness.
- The Lord Himself becomes Moses’ instructor, guaranteeing accuracy and authority in every word delivered.
• Isaiah testified, “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples” (Isaiah 50:4).
• Jesus declared complete dependence on the Father’s instruction: “I speak just as the Father has told Me” (John 12:49-50).
- God’s teaching is moment-by-moment. In Luke 12:12, Jesus comforts His followers: “The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you should say.”
- Application: We prepare faithfully, yet we trust God to supply the exact words needed in each circumstance.
Exodus 4:12 reveals a threefold pattern for every servant of God: respond promptly, rely completely, and receive continually. The One who sends also stays, strengthening our tongues and shaping our words so His purposes prevail.
(12) I will be with thy mouth.--To suggest words (see Matthew 10:19-20), and assist utterance. Comp. the reluctance of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6), and God's dealings with him (Jeremiah 1:7-9).