What is the context?
Moses turns from the people’s possible unbelief to his own difficulty speaking. The Hebrew description of his mouth and tongue uses a word meaning heavy, which Brown–Driver–Briggs explains here as slow or difficult speech. Moses says the difficulty has remained even since God began speaking with him.
God answers as the Creator of the mouth, hearing and sight. He tells Moses to go and promises to help him speak and teach him what to say. Moses then asks God to send someone else, and the LORD becomes angry.
Even then, God provides Aaron to speak for him. Moses will give Aaron the words, Aaron will address the people, and God will help them both. The comparison between Moses and God in verse 16 describes how the message passes through Moses to Aaron. Moses is to take the staff as well; the calling and the signs remain his responsibility.
How is this passage commonly understood?
The shared reading understands Moses’ final request as an attempt to be excused from the task. Calvin and Wesley both emphasize that God’s promised help answers his weakness, while his continuing refusal brings God’s displeasure. Aaron’s assistance allows the work to go forward.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The exchange has a close parallel in Jeremiah 1:6–9. Jeremiah says he does not know how to speak; God sends him, promises His presence and gives him words. In both callings, the messenger’s confidence rests on the God who sends him.
1 Corinthians 2:1–5 brings that theme into the preaching of Christ. Paul recalls coming in weakness and fear, so that the Corinthians’ faith would rest on God’s power. Across these settings, God’s message reaches people through servants who depend on Him.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.