What does Moses' reaction in Exodus 4:3 teach about human fear and faith? Setting the Scene: Exodus 4:3 “Then He said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it.” Immediate Fear Shows Moses’ Humanity • Moses’ flight was instinctive—anyone confronted with a sudden serpent would recoil. • Scripture records the reaction plainly, underscoring that even God-chosen leaders experience real fear. • His response is not condemned; it is simply noted, revealing that fear itself is not sin but a human reflex. God Uses Fear to Build Faith • The Lord did not remove the serpent; He spoke into Moses’ fear (v. 4). • God’s command, “Stretch out your hand and grasp its tail,” turned terror into a training ground for trust. • Divine assignments often begin where natural confidence ends, so that reliance shifts from self to God (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9). Faith Steps Forward: Obedience After Fear • Moses obeyed while still staring at the cause of his panic—faith acting in the presence of fear, not after it evaporates. • His hand closed on the serpent’s tail, the most vulnerable spot, highlighting total dependence on God’s word rather than on human wisdom. • When the snake became a staff again, Moses gained a tangible reminder that God rules creation and can reverse danger at will. Takeaways for Us Today • Honest fear can coexist with genuine faith; what matters is the direction we move after fear strikes. • God often calls us to grasp what frightens us, trusting His promise more than our perception. • Progress in faith usually follows obedience to the last clear instruction, even when emotions scream otherwise. Supporting Scriptures • Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” • Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” • 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” • Hebrews 11:27 – “By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.” |
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