And God said to Moses: ‘Who made the mouth of man? Who causes this man to be dumb and that deaf, and who gives or withholds the sight of man’s eyes? Is it not the Lord God, the Creator of all? Go then, and think no more how thou shalt say what I have bidden thee say, for I myself will guide thy tongue and give thee speech.’

Moses bowed his head in deep and perplexed thought. He was divided in mind. All his heart’s longing was to obey the will of the Lord for the redemption of his people. Yet distrust of himself and of his own powers still held him back. His voice trembled. ‘So be it, O Lord,’ he said. ‘And yet I would that the Lord would send someone to speak for him better able than I am!’

At this, the anger of the angel of the Lord was kindled against Moses. ‘Hast thou forgotten Aaron thy brother?’ he said. ‘Is he not a Levite and a priest, and hath he no gift of words? Even now he is on his way hither to meet thee, and when he seeth thee, his heart will be filled with joy. Do thou then speak with him, and inspire and direct him in all that he shall say. Thou shalt tell him of the wonders that have been shown to thee this day. I have made thee my prophet before Israel and before the King of Egypt, and Aaron thy brother shall be thy spokesman. In all things thou shalt be his inspiration, as if thou thyself wert of God, and he thy prophet. Take thy staff, and this rod that I give into thy hand. With it thou shalt do miracles and show that I the Eternal am with thee.’

The voice ceased and Moses was alone. High overhead the virgin crest of Horeb pierced the sky, its shadow flung dark across the hollow steep on which he stood, as the sun went down into the west. The flame pure as crystal and of the light of gold that had dwelt in the midst of the bush, yet had touched neither twig nor leaf with fire, no longer shone upon his face and filled his mind with its radiance, for the angel of the Lord had gone his way.