FRIDAY
Yesterday we saw God’s response to Moses’ accusations that God was failing in his promise and even bringing more trouble or evil upon the people of Israel. Let’s continue on in the story after his moment in the presence of God.
Genesis 6:9-12 9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor. 10 Then the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.” 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?”
Previously the Israelites responded with faith and worship. Now, because of their discouragement at their trouble, they do not listen to Moses. I imagine this response triggered Moses’ previous failure and his fears that the people wouldn’t listen to him ( 
Moses Gives It A Go, Moses’ Insecurities). He responds by sinking back into despair and self-doubt. His eyes return to himself and his insecurities return with his attention on them. He doesn’t speak well. This is why I think his “faltering lips” refers to his lack of ability to persuade. He is essentially saying, “I can’t even convince the Hebrews to follow me, how can I convince Pharaoh?”
Yet again, God is patient with his servant. Moses’ eyes are on himself, but he is not arrogant. He is humble but living in shame. God patiently reveals his nature to Moses until Moses learns to keep his eyes on God and trust him.
The text then goes to an intermission with the genealogical record of Moses and Aaron. It returns to the narrative in 6:28 by repeating the previous conversation followed by God’s response.
Exodus 6:28–7:13 (NIV)
28 Now when Yahweh spoke to Moses in Egypt, 29 he said to him, “I am Yahweh. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you.”
30 But Moses said to Yahweh, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”
1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. 2 You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, 4 he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. 5 And the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”
6 Moses and Aaron did just as Yahweh commanded them. 7 Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.
God repeats what he will do to deliver his people. Through these mighty acts of deliverance, even the Egyptians will know that Yahweh is God.
Now, the stage is set. The battle lines are drawn between Pharaoh, representing the gods of Egypt, and Yahweh, the one true God. We end this week with the dramatic cliffhanger of God saying, “My turn.” Next week we will see what he does.
Reflection
Think of a time when you thought you had dealt with a character flaw, then something happened that brought that flaw screaming right back. Perhaps it was your shame, like Moses. Perhaps it is your desire to control things you can’t control. Perhaps it was defensiveness. Perhaps it was your fear or lack of trust. The options are endless. Think through that time when it came roaring back to your attention. Did you learn greater depths of surrender? Did you get frustrated with yourself and discouraged? How did you see God’s patience and grace in restoring you again?