John Calvin Commentary Exodus 3:11

"And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" — Exodus 3:11 (ASV)

Who am I? He cannot yet be accused of disobedience because, conscious of his own weakness, he answers that he is not sufficient for it and therefore refuses the commission. His comparison of himself with Pharaoh was an additional pretext for declining it. This, then, seems to be the excuse of modesty and humility; and as such, I consider it not only to be free from blame but worthy of praise. This is not contradicted by the fact that he knew God was the one proposing this very arduous task. Indeed, he wondered why someone else was not chosen instead, since God has so many thousands of beings at His command.

But another question arises: why should he, who forty years ago had been so quick in killing the Egyptian and, relying on the calling of God, had dared to perform so perilous a deed, now timidly deny his capability for the deliverance of the people?

It does not seem probable that his vigor had decreased from age, though youth is naturally ardent, and age induces coldness and lethargy. Instead, it appears that his fault was of another kind: namely, that he advanced hastily at first, not having sufficiently considered his own powers, nor weighed the greatness of his undertaking. For although such hastiness may be praiseworthy, still it often fails in the middle of its course, just as precocious fruits either never arrive at maturity or soon perish.

Therefore, although Moses provided an example of a noble disposition when he so hastily devoted himself to God’s work, yet he was not then provided with the firmness that would support him to the end, because the faith that prevailed in his heart had not yet struck its roots deeply enough, nor had he thoroughly examined his own capability.

Therefore, he trembles when he is brought to the point, though he had been more confident when its difficulty was not yet considered. So daily, we who appear to ourselves to be of good courage⁴² when out of the reach of darts begin to quake as the battle comes near us, because we perceive the dangers that did not affect us at a distance. It is no wonder, then, if Moses, who had been ready to obey forty years ago and who had perseveringly cherished this holy feeling within himself, is filled with new alarm when he is commanded to enter the field of battle.

⁴² “Courageux comme lions;” as bold as lions. — Fr..