Moses’ Staff 1Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” 2And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” 3“Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake,a and he ran from it. 4“Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5“This is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.” Moses’ Hand 6Furthermore, the LORD said to Moses, “Put your hand inside your cloak.b” So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous,c white as snow. 7“Put your hand back inside your cloak,” said the LORD. So Moses put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his skin. 8And the LORD said, “If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second. 9But if they do not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. Then the water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.” The Appointment of Aaron 10“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.” 11And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” 13But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.” 14Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth. I will help both of you to speak, and I will teach you what to do. 16He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him. 17But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it.” Moses Leaves for Egypt 18Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethrod and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied. 19Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who sought to kill you are dead.” 20So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand. 21The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will hardene his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, 23and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” 24Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Mosesf and was about to kill him. 25But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet.g “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26So the LORD let him alone. (When she said, “bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.) The People Believe Moses and Aaron 27Meanwhile, the LORD had said to Aaron, “Go and meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28And Moses told Aaron everything the LORD had sent him to say, and all the signs He had commanded him to perform. 29Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites, 30and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, 31and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped. Footnotes: 3 a Hebrew nachash, in contrast to Aaron’s staff, which became a tannin in Exodus 7:10 6 b Hebrew into your bosom; twice in this verse and twice in verse 7 6 c The Hebrew word traditionally translated as leprous was used for various skin diseases; see Leviticus 13. 18 d Moses’ father-in-law Jethro was also called Reuel; see Exodus 2:18. 21 e Or stiffen or strengthen 24 f Hebrew him 25 g Hebrew his feet Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible. Bible Hub  Exodus 4 Summary The People Believe Moses and AaronVerses 1–5 – The Sign of the Staff Verses 6–9 – Second and Third Signs Verses 10–12 – Moses’ Speech Objection Verses 13–17 – Aaron Appointed Spokesman Verses 18–23 – Return to Egypt & Firstborn Warning Verses 24–26 – Circumcision Crisis Verses 27–31 – Moses & Aaron Rally Israel In this transformative chapter, Moses engages in a profound dialogue with God, wrestling with doubt and fear as he is called to liberate the Israelites from Egyptian oppression. A manifestation of divine signs and wonders confirms his divine commission, while his brother Aaron's arrival fortifies the momentous mission that lies ahead. Moses’ Reluctance and God’s Patience Four chapters into Exodus and Moses is still resisting. God answers every “what if.” Doubt is met with demonstration; weakness is met with promise. Compare Gideon’s fleece in Judges 6 and Jeremiah’s complaint in Jeremiah 1:6–8—same pattern, same patient God. The Three Signs and Egyptian Culture • Staff-to-serpent: Pharaoh’s crown bore the cobra (uraeus). By grabbing the snake tail-first, Moses symbolically seizes Egypt’s authority. • Leprous hand: Egyptian priests shaved and cleansed obsessively. A sudden skin disease would stun them. • Water to blood: The Nile was Egypt’s lifeline and god. A preview of the later plague (Exodus 7:17). The Staff of God Called an ordinary “staff” at first, it becomes “the staff of God” (v 20). With it Moses will part the sea (14:16), strike the rock (17:5–6), and hold it up during battle (17:11–12). God often transforms what we already hold—compare David’s sling (1 Samuel 17:40) and the boy’s loaves (John 6:9). “Slow of Speech” and Divine Enablement Moses’ anxiety may point to an actual stutter or simply lack of confidence. God answers, “Who placed a mouth on man?” (see also Isaiah 50:4). Throughout Scripture, divine mission trumps natural limitation—think of Paul’s “weakness” in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. Aaron’s Role and the Principle of Two Witnesses Aaron is spokesman, but the LORD still addresses Moses as leader. This pattern anticipates the paired ministries of Joshua with Eleazar (Numbers 27:18–21) and the disciples sent “two by two” (Mark 6:7). Two witnesses establish truth (Deuteronomy 19:15). Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart Foreshadowed “Israel is My firstborn son” (v 22) frames the coming conflict as a family matter, not merely politics. The cost of resisting God will mirror the offense—Egypt’s firstborn. See the principle of measure-for-measure justice in Galatians 6:7. Zipporah, Circumcision, and Covenant Faithfulness Circumcision traced back to Genesis 17 was non-negotiable. Moses, raised in Pharaoh’s house, apparently delayed circumcising his younger son. Zipporah’s swift action saves Moses, echoing how women in Exodus repeatedly protect the deliverer (the midwives, Moses’ mother, Pharaoh’s daughter). Historical and Geographic Notes • Midian: Likely northwest Arabia by the Gulf of Aqaba; trade routes from here to Egypt explain Moses’ return path. • Horeb/Sinai: Traditional Jebel Musa fits many details, though alternative sites exist. • Pharaoh: A conservative dating places the events around 1446 BC, pointing to Amenhotep II, yet the text intentionally leaves him unnamed, highlighting God, not Pharaoh, as central. Archaeological Echoes • Egyptian texts mention snake-wielding magicians, giving plausibility to the staff sign. • Wall reliefs depicting Israelites or Asiatic slaves making bricks align with Exodus labor scenes (compare Exodus 5). • Egyptian medical papyri list skin whiteness afflictions, showing the surprise factor of Moses’ leprous hand. Connections to the New Testament • “Israel My son” (v 22) is echoed in Hosea 11:1 and applied to Jesus in Matthew 2:15, hinting at a greater deliverer. • The staff lifted against Amalek (Exodus 17) prefigures the cross lifted for victory (John 3:14). • Signs and wonders authenticate messengers in Acts 2:22 and Hebrews 2:4, just as in Exodus 4. Practical Takeaways • God often answers doubts with evidence but still calls for trust. • What is “in your hand” today may be the very tool God uses. • Delayed obedience in covenant matters can jeopardize mission; swift correction restores direction. • Partnership in ministry—Moses and Aaron—balances strengths and weaknesses. Key Hebrew Words Made Simple • ʼOt (“sign”): a visible proof or banner. • Cherev (“snake/serpent” here tannin): creature that invokes fear, yet is grasped. • Chazan (“heavy” or “honored,” root for “slow” in speech): weight, not uselessness. Christ in the Chapter The mediator who hesitates but is equipped, the firstborn son theme, the blood that averts judgment—all point forward to Jesus, the greater deliverer, perfect in obedience, whose blood secures the covenant once for all (Hebrews 9:12). In Summary Exodus 4 moves Moses from hesitation to action, arms him with signs, stresses covenant faithfulness, and sets the stage for the showdown with Pharaoh. The God who equips, warns, and saves here remains the same today—still asking, “What is that in your hand?” and still ready to turn ordinary obedience into extraordinary deliverance. Connections to Additional Scriptures Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. This verse reinforces the idea that our strength comes from God. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' This passage echoes the theme of God's power being made perfect in our weaknesses. Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!' This reflects the call to obedience and willingness to serve. Teaching Points God's Assurance and SignsGod provides Moses with miraculous signs to confirm His presence and power (Exodus 4:2-9). These signs are meant to reassure Moses and the Israelites of God's authority. Moses' Reluctance Despite God's assurances, Moses expresses doubt about his speaking abilities (Exodus 4:10). This highlights human tendency to focus on personal limitations rather than God's sufficiency. God's Provision of Aaron God responds to Moses' reluctance by appointing Aaron as his spokesperson (Exodus 4:14-16). This demonstrates God's patience and provision in addressing our weaknesses. God's Sovereignty God reminds Moses that He is the Creator of the mouth and the One who enables speech (Exodus 4:11-12). This underscores God's sovereignty over all creation and His ability to empower us for His purposes. Obedience and Faith Moses ultimately obeys God's call, taking his family and returning to Egypt (Exodus 4:18-20). This act of faith sets the stage for the deliverance of the Israelites. Practical Applications Trust in God's EquippingWhen God calls us to a task, we can trust that He will equip us with what we need, just as He did with Moses. Overcoming Self-Doubt Like Moses, we may feel inadequate, but we should focus on God's power rather than our limitations. Seek God's Provision When faced with challenges, seek God's provision and guidance, knowing He can provide support through others, as He did with Aaron. Embrace Obedience Even when uncertain, stepping out in faith and obedience can lead to God's greater purposes being fulfilled in our lives. People 1. MosesThe central figure in this chapter, Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He expresses doubt about his ability to speak and lead, prompting God to provide signs and appoint Aaron as his spokesperson. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) God speaks to Moses, providing him with signs to perform and instructions for his mission. The name "Yahweh" is derived from the Hebrew root "היה" (hayah), meaning "to be," emphasizing God's eternal existence. 3. Aaron Moses' brother, who is appointed by God to be Moses' spokesperson. Aaron's role is crucial as he assists Moses in communicating with the Israelites and Pharaoh. 4. Pharaoh Although not directly interacting in this chapter, Pharaoh is the ruler of Egypt whom Moses and Aaron are instructed to confront. He represents the opposition to God's plan for the Israelites' liberation. 5. Zipporah Moses' wife, who plays a critical role in the circumcision of their son, thereby averting God's wrath against Moses. Her actions demonstrate her quick thinking and understanding of covenantal obligations. 6. Moses' son While not named in this chapter, he is involved in the incident where Zipporah circumcises him to protect Moses. This act is significant in maintaining the covenantal sign given to Abraham's descendants. Places 1. MidianIn Exodus 4:19, the Lord speaks to Moses in Midian, instructing him to return to Egypt. Midian is a region where Moses had fled after killing an Egyptian and where he lived for many years, marrying Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian. The Hebrew root for Midian is "מִדְיָן" (Midyan), which refers to the land and people descended from Abraham through Keturah. 2. Egypt Egypt is mentioned multiple times in Exodus 4, including in verses 19 and 21. It is the land where the Israelites are enslaved and where Moses is commanded to return to lead the Israelites out of bondage. The Hebrew term for Egypt is "מִצְרַיִם" (Mitzrayim), which is often used in the Old Testament to refer to the nation and its people. Events 1. Moses' Doubt and God's Signs (Exodus 4:1-9)Moses expresses doubt about whether the Israelites will believe that the LORD has appeared to him. In response, God provides Moses with three miraculous signs to demonstrate His power: turning Moses' staff into a serpent and back again, making Moses' hand leprous and then healing it, and turning water from the Nile into blood. These signs are meant to convince the Israelites of God's presence and authority. 2. Moses' Reluctance and God's Assurance (Exodus 4:10-12) Moses protests that he is not eloquent and is slow of speech. God reassures Moses by reminding him that He is the creator of the mouth and promises to help Moses speak and teach him what to say. The Hebrew root for "slow" (כָּבֵד, kaved) implies heaviness or difficulty, highlighting Moses' perceived inadequacy. 3. Appointment of Aaron as Spokesman (Exodus 4:13-17) Despite God's assurances, Moses asks for someone else to be sent. God becomes angry but appoints Aaron, Moses' brother, to be his spokesman. God instructs Moses to take the staff with him to perform the signs, emphasizing the importance of obedience and reliance on divine power. 4. Moses Returns to Egypt (Exodus 4:18-20) Moses seeks permission from his father-in-law Jethro to return to Egypt. Jethro consents, and Moses takes his wife and sons, setting out for Egypt with the staff of God in his hand. This journey marks the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of bondage. 5. God's Warning to Pharaoh (Exodus 4:21-23) God instructs Moses to perform all the wonders before Pharaoh but warns that He will harden Pharaoh's heart. God commands Moses to tell Pharaoh that Israel is His firstborn son and that Pharaoh must let His people go, or God will kill Pharaoh's firstborn son. This foreshadows the coming plagues and the ultimate deliverance of Israel. 6. The Circumcision of Moses' Son (Exodus 4:24-26) On the journey, the LORD confronts Moses, seeking to kill him. Zipporah, Moses' wife, circumcises their son and touches Moses' feet with the foreskin, appeasing God's wrath. This event underscores the importance of covenant obedience, as circumcision was a sign of the Abrahamic covenant. 7. Reunion of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 4:27-28) God instructs Aaron to meet Moses in the wilderness. They reunite at the mountain of God, where Moses shares all the words of the LORD and the signs he has been commanded to perform. 8. Moses and Aaron Gather the Elders of Israel (Exodus 4:29-31) Moses and Aaron gather the elders of the Israelites. Aaron speaks all the words the LORD had spoken to Moses and performs the signs before the people. The Israelites believe and worship, recognizing that the LORD has seen their affliction and is concerned for them. Topics 1. Moses' Doubts and God's Signs (Exodus 4:1-9)Moses expresses doubt about the Israelites believing him, prompting God to provide signs. The first sign involves Moses' staff turning into a serpent and back into a staff. The Hebrew word for serpent here is "נָחָשׁ" (nachash). The second sign involves Moses' hand becoming leprous and then healed. The third sign involves turning water from the Nile into blood. 2. Moses' Reluctance and God's Assurance (Exodus 4:10-17) Moses protests his lack of eloquence, saying, "I am slow of speech and tongue" (Exodus 4:10). God reassures Moses, saying He will help him speak and teach him what to say. God appoints Aaron, Moses' brother, as his spokesperson, emphasizing divine provision and support. 3. Moses Returns to Egypt (Exodus 4:18-20) Moses seeks permission from Jethro, his father-in-law, to return to Egypt. God reassures Moses that those who sought his life are dead. Moses takes his wife and sons, along with the staff of God, symbolizing his divine mission. 4. God's Warning to Pharaoh (Exodus 4:21-23) God instructs Moses to perform the wonders before Pharaoh but warns that He will harden Pharaoh's heart. The Hebrew word for harden is "חָזַק" (chazaq), indicating a strengthening or firming of Pharaoh's resolve. God declares Israel as His firstborn son and warns of the death of Pharaoh's firstborn if he refuses to let Israel go. 5. The Circumcision of Moses' Son (Exodus 4:24-26) On the journey, the Lord confronts Moses, and Zipporah, his wife, circumcises their son to avert divine wrath. This act underscores the importance of covenant obedience, as circumcision was a sign of the Abrahamic covenant. 6. Reunion of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 4:27-28) God instructs Aaron to meet Moses in the wilderness. They reunite at the mountain of God, and Moses shares all the words and signs commanded by the Lord. 7. Moses and Aaron Speak to the Israelites (Exodus 4:29-31) Moses and Aaron gather the elders of Israel. Aaron speaks the words given by God, and Moses performs the signs. The people believe and worship, recognizing God's concern for their suffering. Themes 1. Divine Empowerment and SignsIn Exodus 4, God empowers Moses with miraculous signs to validate his divine mission. The Lord instructs Moses to perform signs such as turning his staff into a serpent and his hand becoming leprous and then healed (Exodus 4:2-7). These signs are meant to convince the Israelites and Pharaoh of God's power. The Hebrew word for "sign" (אוֹת, 'oth) indicates a mark or token of divine authority. 2. Human Doubt and Divine Reassurance Moses expresses doubt about his ability to speak eloquently, saying, "O Lord, I am not eloquent...I am slow of speech and tongue" (Exodus 4:10). God reassures Moses by reminding him that He is the creator of the mouth and promises to help him speak. This theme highlights God's provision and reassurance in the face of human inadequacy. 3. God's Sovereignty and Control The narrative emphasizes God's sovereignty over human affairs. God declares, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, sighted or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" (Exodus 4:11). This underscores the belief that God is in control of all aspects of creation and human ability. 4. Divine Commission and Obedience God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, instructing him to go to Pharaoh and perform the signs (Exodus 4:12-17). Despite Moses' hesitations, God commands obedience, illustrating the theme of divine calling and the expectation of human compliance. 5. Community and Support God provides Moses with support by appointing Aaron as his spokesperson. "He will speak to the people for you. He will be your mouth, and you will be his God" (Exodus 4:16). This theme highlights the importance of community and support in fulfilling God's mission. 6. Covenant and Identity The chapter concludes with Moses returning to Egypt and performing the signs before the elders of Israel, who believe and worship God (Exodus 4:29-31). This reflects the theme of covenant identity, as the Israelites recognize God's intervention and their identity as His chosen people. The Hebrew term for "worship" (שָׁחָה, shachah) implies bowing down in reverence, signifying their acknowledgment of God's covenantal faithfulness. Answering Tough Questions 1. (Exodus 4:2–5) How could Moses’ staff physically transform into a snake and then revert back without any natural or scientific basis? Bible Study Discussion Questions 1. How do Moses' doubts and fears resonate with your own personal experiences? 2. How does God respond to Moses' doubts? What does this tell us about God's character? 3. Why do you think God chose Moses despite his hesitations? 4. How can we apply God's reassurance to Moses in our own life when facing doubts about our abilities? 5. How do you interpret the miracle signs that God gives Moses? 6. How does the story illustrate the concept of faith versus sight? 7. Discuss the importance of Aaron's role. What does his willingness to aid Moses signify? 8. What does the episode of Zipporah's quick action to circumcise their son signify about the importance of covenant rituals? 9. God hardens Pharaoh's heart. How does this notion challenge or reinforce your understanding of free will? 10. How would you handle a situation where you were asked to take a stand against authority, as Moses did with Pharaoh? 11. How do the signs performed by Moses before the Israelite elders influence their belief? 12. Why do you think God chose to use signs and wonders to communicate His message? 13. How does Moses’ journey from doubt to faith inspire you in your personal life? 14. How can the lessons from this passage guide us when dealing with authorities or institutions that seem unjust today? 15. How would you respond if God asked you to do something you felt unqualified for, like Moses? 16. Can you think of a time when you had to rely solely on God’s strength and guidance to overcome a problem? 17. How can we remain faithful when the outcome of our actions is uncertain or when facing opposition? 18. What lessons can we learn from Moses and Aaron about courage and obedience to God's call? 19. How does the transformation of Moses from a reluctant speaker to a leader inspire your personal or spiritual growth? 20. In what ways does this story encourage you to approach current societal issues from a faith perspective? Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions |
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