What role does faith play in believing the signs given in Exodus 4:5? Setting the Stage: Moses and the Skeptical Israelites Exodus 4 opens with Moses’ fear that Israel will not listen to him. The Lord provides three miraculous signs, and after the first one He explains, “ ‘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.’ ” (Exodus 4:5) What Faith Is—and Why It Matters • “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) • Faith is trust in the character and word of God before any physical confirmation. • Scripture consistently ties true faith to God’s self-revelation—whether through promises, prophetic words, or miraculous signs. The Purpose of the Signs in Exodus 4:5 1. Confirmation, not substitution • The signs validate God’s messenger; they never replace the need for trust in His word. 2. Connection to covenant history • By naming “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” the Lord links these signs to His unchanged promises. 3. Invitation to deeper dependence • Each wonder calls Israel to move from intellectual assent (“That’s impressive”) to relational trust (“We will follow the God who does this”). Faith Engages the Signs • Faith receives the sign as evidence of what God already said, then acts obediently. • Lack of faith turns signs into mere spectacles (cf. Exodus 7:13; Pharaoh’s hard heart). • Believing the sign meant Israel would risk leaving Egypt, trusting God to lead them into an unseen future. • Romans 10:17 reminds us, “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”. The sign serves the word; it does not eclipse it. New Testament Echoes • John 20:29—“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Signs still point beyond themselves to Christ. • Mark 16:20—The apostles “preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” Faith first, confirmation second. • 1 Corinthians 1:22-24—Some demand signs, but true wisdom is found in Christ crucified, received by faith. Practical Takeaways for Us Today • Expect God’s Word to be sufficient; signs, experiences, and answered prayers strengthen but never replace Scripture. • Evaluate every sign by whether it aligns with the revealed character of “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” • Cultivate a faith that moves from observation to obedience—trusting enough to act. • When God confirms His Word in your life (through providence, healing, provision), let it deepen your commitment rather than merely satisfy your curiosity. |
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