The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 170

ungodly" (Ilorn. v, G). There was the want of will as well as of power to do anythinu of ourselves. God has interposed, and done all for us.-J. 0. '"' Ver. 10-chap. vii. 7.-The uncircumcised lips. I. "UNCIRCUMCISED LIPS." En7u-ire ,vliat the significance of this stranga expression may be, as coming from Mose,~. It can hnrdly have been a current proverbial phrase ru:lopted for the occasion by Moses, as a l!till more forcible statement of what be bad said before on his felt inability as a speaker. '!'here is no reason to suppose that up to this time there was any such feeling among the Israelites as would originate tho expression "uncircumcised lips." They had, indeed, in one instance professed themselves very tenacious of the outward form (Gen. xxxiv. 15), but a general appreciation of the inward and spiritual meaning of this form was not to be expected. Hence we may take these words of Moses as giving a fresh, original and emphatic expression of how deeply Moses felt himself lacking in qualification for this serious enterprise. And evidently also, Moses was doing more than give a forcible variation of the old tale. The.,new expression goes deeper in it~ significance than "slow of speech and slow of tongue." It indicates that Moses had been pondering, as indeed he bad reason to ponder, the meaning of circumcision. Cir- cumcision was a separating sign, the sign of a peculiar destiny and inheritance, of peculiar duties and privileges. But so far it seemed only to have produced outward separation without inward differences, differences of feeling and disposition. Moses could not see that circumcision bad done anything to give him ability for his peculiar task. His way of speaking may therefore be taken as a sign of advance in his appreciation of what was necessary to do Jehovah's work. Hitherto his great concern had been because of natural defects in mere organs of action. He had not thought so much of what was lacking in the life that lay behind the organs, and acted through them. But now we gain some hint that Moses sees what is really wanted. The thing wanted is not simply to be lifted up to the level of men who have all natural qualifications for effective speech, but to be lifted altogether above the ordinary level. '!'hough Moses was " slow of speech, and of a slow tongue," others were not ; but they were all of " uncircumcised lips." Moses, we may take it, has now got beyond the personal reluctance which actuated him in his pleas at Horeb. The avengers of the slain Egyptian no longer frown upon him from the horizon of memory. But now comes in this new plea, urged in a worthier spirit, and with a mournful consciousness of its permanent force. It is a plea which is not a mere e:x:cuse, but possesses more of the dignity of a reason. II. JEHOVAH IN HIS REPLY MAKES NO DIDECT REFERENCE TO Tms cmcm1CISIO~ OF THE LIPS. When Moses aforetime had spoken of his vocal defects, God at once reminded him that defects of this sort were beyond human responsibility, and he also indicated the clear provision through Aaron for the supply of them. Here, indeed, he again takes the opportunity of repeating to Moses that so far as vocal defects are concerned. Aaron will amply compensate for them. But as to the lips being uncircumcised, while this is indeed true, it is a state of things which does not bear upon the present need. Suppose the lips are circumcised-that is, suppose that Moses in his words is brought into full sympathy with the purposes of God-it will make no difference in the i=ediate results. Pharaoh's heart is being hardened; his ears are being closed. It matters not with what purity, simplicity, devotion, and faithfulness we speak, if we speak to that which is insensible. Let us by all means blame ourselves for the faulty way in which we speak and live the message of God, but our faults do not account for the indifference and the rejections of other men. These faults bring us under censure for our unfaithfulness, but they do not excuse the unbeliever for his neglect. If but one clear word concerning Jesus be spoken-spoken only once-it is enough to fix responsibility on the auditor. "He that bath ears to hear, let him hear." If ever being on earth spoke with circumciseJ. lips, it was Jesus himself, yet how idly fell all his solemn, weighty, truthful words upon the ear of Pharisee and Sadducee. Moses will have blame enough by-and-by, first, cruel and undeserved blame from Israel; and next, the censure and penalty from Jehovah for the lapse at Meribah. At present, though he is speaking of an unquestion- able defect, he is speaking of it in a premature and inapplicable way. He must indeed know the circumcision of the lip and of all other natural faculties; for this is consequent on the circumcision of the heart. But the grea~ object of all this circumcision is not to  154 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [cH. vr. 9-12.