The Logic of Moses' Argument

And Moses spoke before the Lord, saying: “Behold the Children of Israel have not listened to me, how then shall Pharaoh hear me, and I am of uncircumcised lips?”                                                           Exodus 6:12

Da’at Zekanim of the Tosafists question the logic of Moses’ argument, since the Children of Israel did not listen to Moses “for impatience of spirit and for cruel bondage,” factors which certainly would not apply to Pharaoh. [6:9]

Moses’ argument is that if the Children of Israel, who are to be redeemed, do not listen to God’s message which he delivers, how can he expect Pharaoh to listen? If the redeemed are not ready for their redemption, certainly the oppressor will not be ready to release them.

When Moses adds: “I am of uncircumcised lips,” perhaps his intention is “How can I answer Pharaoh if he tells me the Israelites are not ready to be redeemed?”

In the following verse we read: “And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them a charge to the Children of Israel, and to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the Children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.” Moses and Aaron must first teach the Israelites the value of freedom and then they will be able to fulfill their charge to Pharaoh as well.