Read Exodus 6:28-7:7

“But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?”” (Exodus 6:30)

Moses had been divinely called by God to do something he never in his wildest dreams could have imagined. Undoubtedly Moses thought of Egypt and his Israelite brethren everyday while shepherding in Midian, but it was also a life he was happy to have behind him.

But the LORD God called him back to deliver the people of Israel. How would he deliver them? Moses simply needed to speak God’s message and let God do the rest. Moses was commissioned with the authority of the Almighty, and he was to speak on behalf of God to the Pharoah. Yet, Moses was opposed to this. His excuse? He was a man of uncircumcised lips, which was an idiom for saying, “I am incapable of speaking eloquently.”

Did God make a mistake in choosing Moses? Certainly not!

God has never needed great orators or naturally gifted speakers to accomplish His will. In fact, we see that through most of the Bible, the men that God chose to use were inept and incompetent speakers — even the most prominent prophets and apostles.

The prophet Jeremiah cried out, “Ah, Lord GOD! I cannot speak for I am a youth!” (see Jeremiah 1:6), and the prophet Isaiah wept, “Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips”! (see Isaiah 6:5). God made the prophet Ezekiel’s tongue cling to the roof of his mouth for the majority of his ministry (see Ezekiel 3:26), and the prophet Jonah ran from his inspired message (see Jonah 1:3). Pastor Timothy seemed to struggle with confidence in his preaching ministry (see 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:6) and even the Apostle Paul was sneered at by the Corinthian church for his lack of training in oration (see 2 Corinthians 11:6).

There’s an undeniable trend here. It’s not the messenger that has power, but the message! It’s not the person who has the power, but the Spirit of God!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16)

“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4–5)

God has never called men because they were capable or gifted, but because they were chosen by God for His special work, and they obeyed (even if they originally resisted). But this is where the beauty and majesty of God’s giftings shine, for once a man submits himself to his calling, God transforms him by the Holy Spirit to become mighty in word and deed! From a cat to a lion; from a breeze to the Euroclydon (see Acts 27:14); from a spark to a wild fire!

Moses went from uncircumcised lips to writing the most eloquent sermon Israel ever heard — the Book of Deuteronomy. Isaiah went from unclean lips to speaking with such expressive poetry about the Messiah it makes Shakespeare seem rudimentary. Jeremiah went from youthful to proclaiming mature doctrine. Ezekiel went from mute to heralding the visions of God. Timothy went from shy to boldly preaching the Word in season and out of season. Paul went from scorned in speech, to declaring the most masterful presentation of the Gospel in Romans.

Only if we had time to investigate the Apostle Peter’s eloquence in Acts 2, or Stephen’s grandiloquence in Acts 7, or Paul’s persuasive preaching in Acts 17. When a man is touched by the Spirit of God, their human incapabilities should be noticeably overridden by the power of God. There should be an unction in their calling that is touched by none other than the coal from the heavenly altar! (see Isaiah 6:6)

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance…” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

This is not limited to speaking, however. For Christ has called all of His church to be empowered by the Spirit of God for the ministry. How has Christ called you in His church? Do not fear incompetence for God has proven throughout history that all He needs is a willing vessel. And do not boast in human capability, for God has shown throughout history that it’s of no use to Him apart from the Holy Spirit. Instead, serve the Lord according to Christ’s gift that has been given to you from on the throne room of the Most High.

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6)

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