Exodus 4:1 - Meaning and Application

It was a very great honor that God called Moses to bring Israel out of Egypt. Yet Moses was hard to persuade and finally accepted the call with great reluctance. We should understand this, not as unbelief against God’s word and power, but as humble doubt about his own ability. Those whom God plans to promote he often first clothes with humility. The people most fit for service are often the least eager to step forward.

Moses first objects that the people will probably not listen to him (Exodus 4:1). In other words, they would not take his word unless he gave them a sign, and he had not yet been told what sign to use. This objection cannot really be defended, because it goes against what God had already said, “They will listen to your voice” (Exodus 3:18). If God says they will, can Moses say they will not? Moses likely means, “Maybe they will not at first, or some of them may not.” If some doubters question his calling, how should he answer them? He remembered how the people had once rejected him, and he feared it would happen again.

Present discouragements often come from past disappointments. Even wise and good people can sometimes think worse of others than they deserve. Moses said, “They will not believe me” (Exodus 4:1), but he was pleasantly proved wrong, for later “the people believed” (Exodus 4:31). Still, God first gave the signs that would answer this objection.

God then gave Moses power to work miracles, and directed him to three special signs. Two of them were done right away for Moses’ own assurance. True miracles are the strongest outward proof that God has truly sent someone. That is why our Savior often pointed to his works, such as in John 5:36, and why Nicodemus said he was convinced by them (John 3:2). Moses, being appointed as Israel’s judge and lawgiver, received these miracles as the seal of his commission. He came with clear proof of his authority.

The rod in Moses’ hand became the subject of a double miracle. When he threw it on the ground, it became a serpent. When he picked it up, it became a rod again (Exodus 4:2-4). This showed divine power in the change itself, because a dead stick became a living serpent, and a threatening one at that, so frightening that Moses ran from it. Yet when it was turned back, that too was the Lord’s doing. The miracle also honored Moses, because it happened through his simple act of throwing it down and taking it up, without any spell, charm, or magic. That showed he was acting under God’s authority, beyond ordinary nature and providence.

The sign also had meaning. Pharaoh had treated Israel like a serpent, a dangerous people, and had tried to crush them (Exodus 1:10). He had brought them low and sought their destruction, but now they would be changed back into a rod. Or again, Pharaoh had turned the rod of government into the serpent of oppression, from which Moses had fled to Midian. Now, through Moses, the situation would be reversed. It also pointed directly to convincing the Israelites that Moses truly came from God to do these works (Exodus 4:5). Miracles are signs for those who do not yet believe (1 Corinthians 14:22).

Next, Moses’ own hand became the subject of a miracle. He put it into his bosom and took it out, and it was leprous. Then he put it in again and took it out healthy (Exodus 4:6-7). This sign meant, first, that Moses would bring severe diseases on Egypt by God’s power, and that at his prayer they would be removed. Second, it meant that the Israelites in Egypt had become like lepers, polluted by sin and nearly destroyed by oppression. A leper was treated as one already dead (Numbers 12:12). But when they were taken into the care of Moses, they would be cleansed, healed, and have their wrongs set right. Third, it showed that Moses would not work miracles by his own power or for his own honor, but by God’s power and for God’s glory. Moses’ leprous hand shuts the door against any boasting.

This second sign was meant to meet any doubt that remained if the first sign did not persuade them. God is glad to give even more proof of his word, and he is generous with evidence. The many different miracles strengthen the case.

God also told Moses that when he came to Egypt, he should turn some of the water of the river into blood (Exodus 4:9). At first, this would serve as a sign. When Pharaoh still refused to believe, the whole river was later turned into blood, and then it became a plague. Moses was told to use this miracle if the other two signs did not convince them. Unbelief will be left without excuse and shown to be willful stubbornness. As for Israel, God had already said, “They will listen” (Exodus 3:18). Yet he still appointed these signs for their assurance, because the One who ordains the end also ordains the means.