John Calvin Commentary Exodus 4:1

"And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice; for they will say, Jehovah hath not appeared unto thee." — Exodus 4:1 (ASV)

And Moses answered. Moses relates in this chapter how much hesitation he showed in obeying God. This was not from stubbornness, but from timidity, for he does not shake off the yoke, as unruly animals do, but shrinks from it, so that it would not be placed upon him.⁵⁰ From this, we can better understand the weakness he struggled with, so much so that his faith was almost stifled.

On the one hand, he was willing and ready to obey. However, when the arduous difficulties of his task appeared, he could not escape from this internal conflict until he had exhausted all efforts to avoid it. Nor, indeed, should we be very surprised that he resisted for a time, since he could see scarcely any advantage in his undertaking.

I admit that he should have proceeded according to God’s command, even with his eyes shut, since all believers are bound to depend on His will alone. He should not have judged an incredible thing based on his own reasoning, but on God's voice. In fact, he neither refused to believe God’s words nor wished to reject the burden imposed upon him. But when, on the other hand, he saw dangers from which he could not free himself, his mind was thus beset by distracting feelings.

Indeed, there is no believer who is not often drawn into such troubling internal debates whenever their mind is clouded by the perception of obstacles.

Therefore, in the mind of Moses, there was willingness and zeal, though eagerness and steadfastness were lacking. Because of his weakness, he was compelled to hold back by the obstacles that presented themselves.

We must carefully distinguish between the timidity that delays our progress and the bold refusal that is allied with contempt. Many, in fleeing from trouble, are so kept from their duty that they grow hardened in their inactivity. In contrast, those who desire to act rightly, although through anxiety and fear they may seem to recoil, still aim for further progress. In short, they do not waver to the point of withdrawing themselves completely from God's command.

Moses seems, indeed, to murmur and to argue with God. But whether this was audacity or simplicity, there was more modesty in it than if he had hidden himself in silence, as we have said many do, who by their silence only reinforce their license to disobey.

This was clearly his aim: that he might afterward be better equipped to proceed. The holy man was very anxious because he knew from experience that his countrymen were depraved and almost intractable. Therefore, unloading this anxiety into the bosom of God, he desired to be strengthened by a new promise, so that he might be freed from this obstacle and proceed with eagerness.

⁵⁰ “Pensant qu’il ne luy peut estre approprie;” thinking that it cannot be fitted to him. — Fr..