Exodus 4:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 4:15
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.
Chapter Context
Exodus 4 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of redemption, prayer, holiness. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-31: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 4:15
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.
Analysis
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 (וְדִבַּרְתָּ אֵלָיו וְשַׂמְתָּ אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים בְּפִיו וְאָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה עִם־פִּיךָ וְעִם־פִּיהוּ וְהוֹרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשׂוּן)—The new arrangement: Moses receives God's word and speaks to Aaron; Aaron speaks to the people/Pharaoh. I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth—God's enabling extends to both. Teach you what ye shall do—God provides content and strategy. This partnership model works initially but creates dependency that later proves problematic. The ideal was Moses' direct communication; God's accommodation to Moses' fear created mediated communication. Sometimes God grants our requests but they're second-best (cf. Israel demanding a king, 1 Samuel 8).
Historical Context
Moses-Aaron partnership functioned during the Exodus and wilderness years, though tensions emerged (Numbers 12:1-2 when Aaron and Miriam challenged Moses; Exodus 32 with the golden calf). The pattern of prophet (Moses) and spokesman (Aaron) illustrated but also complicated leadership. Later, Moses would speak directly to Israel (Deuteronomy), showing growth beyond his earlier fears.
Reflection
- How does the Moses-Aaron partnership illustrate God's patience with our fears while showing the complications of resisting His best plan?
- What 'second-best' arrangements have you insisted upon, and how has God worked through them despite their limitations?
Word Studies
- Word: דָּבָר (Davar) H1697 - Word, thing, matter
Cross-References
- Word: Numbers 23:5, 23:16, Deuteronomy 18:18, Isaiah 51:16, 59:21, Jeremiah 1:9
- Parallel theme: Exodus 4:12, Numbers 23:12, Matthew 28:20, Luke 21:15