Exodus 6:30

What does Exodus 6:30 mean?

Moses is expressing his deepest doubt in this moment, saying he's not equipped to speak persuasively because he struggles with his own speech. "Uncircumcised lips" is an image meaning unfit or unprepared, the way uncircumcised meant set apart in his culture. He's essentially saying, "I stammer, I'm not eloquent, I'm not a natural communicator, so why would the most powerful man in Egypt ever listen to me?" What makes this poignant is that God has just given Moses enormous promises and a mission, and Moses is responding not with confidence but with honest fear about his limitations. Many of us know this feeling when we're asked to do something that seems beyond our abilities. God's response (which comes next) is never to scold Moses for doubting, but to reassure him that He will be with him anyway, and that Aaron can help with the speaking part. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is admit we're not enough on our own, and then trust that God is.