How does God's command in Exodus 4:6 encourage obedience despite personal doubts? Setting the Scene: Moses’ Doubt - Moses had already voiced insecurity about his speaking ability (Exodus 4:1,10). - The LORD responded with signs, the second being the hand-in-the-cloak miracle. The Command and the Sign “Furthermore the LORD said to him, ‘Put your hand inside your cloak.’ So Moses put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous, like snow.” (Exodus 4:6) Why This Specific Sign Speaks to Doubt - God chooses Moses’ own body—his most personal possession—to demonstrate power. - Leprosy was incurable; the instant transformation showed that nothing is beyond God’s control. - By commanding Moses to act (“Put your hand…”), the LORD links obedience with revelation: Moses obeys first, then sees. Lessons for Our Obedience Today 1. God addresses inward fears with concrete evidence. • Just as the sign spoke directly to Moses’ anxiety, Scripture assures us: “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). 2. Obedience often comes before full understanding. • Moses didn’t know what would happen until he obeyed. Likewise, we step out in faith, trusting God to clarify along the way (Hebrews 11:8). 3. The same hand that became leprous was restored (Exodus 4:7). • God shows He can both wound and heal—underscoring His complete sovereignty (Deuteronomy 32:39). 4. God’s command is inseparable from His enabling power. • “Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). • Our role: obey; His role: supply the power (Philippians 2:13). Practical Takeaways - When doubts surface, recall concrete moments of God’s past faithfulness—your personal “hand-in-the-cloak” memories. - Act on the next clear instruction from Scripture, even if the outcome feels uncertain. - Trust that God can transform weaknesses into testimonies, just as He turned Moses’ diseased hand into proof of divine authority (2 Corinthians 12:9). Closing Thought Exodus 4:6 reminds us that every divine command carries built-in assurance. Obey first; watch doubt give way to confidence as God proves Himself faithful. |
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