What is the meaning of Exodus 4:9? But if they do not believe even these two signs - God has already given Moses two miraculous proofs: the staff that became a serpent and the hand that turned leprous and was healed (Exodus 4:3–8). - The Lord anticipates that hardened hearts may still resist. John 12:37 notes, “Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him”. The pattern of disbelief despite clear evidence starts here. - This clause underscores divine foreknowledge and patience—He never leaves His people without a credible witness. or listen to your voice - The “voice” refers to Moses’ spoken testimony accompanying the signs. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”. - When people refuse both visible signs and audible truth, they stand doubly accountable (Deuteronomy 18:19; Luke 10:16). - God affirms Moses’ authority: rejecting him equals rejecting the One who sent him. take some water from the Nile - The Nile was Egypt’s lifeline—economically, agriculturally, and religiously (Ezekiel 29:3 speaks of Pharaoh boasting, “The Nile is mine; I made it for myself,”). - By using Nile water, God targets the very symbol of Egyptian strength, proving His supremacy over their idols. - This step is simple and ordinary—just “some water”—showing that the Lord uses common elements to display uncommon power. pour it on the dry ground - Obedience involves a visible act of faith. Moses must lift the water from its source and publicly spill it onto ground that lacks life-giving moisture. - The scene echoes later demonstrations, like Elijah soaking the altar before God answered with fire (1 Kings 18:33–38). - God works where human ability has no sway; dry earth can’t transform water, but He can. Then the water you take from the Nile - The repetition stresses personal participation: “you take.” Miracles often require the servant’s hand to engage (John 2:7, servants filling jars). - It is not new water; it is the same water Moses collected. Transformation, not substitution, is the point—highlighting divine power over nature. will become blood on the ground - Blood signifies judgment and life. Exodus 7:17 later expands this sign into the first plague: “By this you will know that I am the LORD: With the staff in my hand I will strike the water in the Nile, and it will be turned to blood”. - The ground drinks the water-turned-blood, foreshadowing Egypt’s coming sorrow. Revelation 16:3–4 describes end-time judgments in similar terms, linking early Exodus signs to final events. - The transformation also anticipates Christ’s blood, the only means of ultimate deliverance (Hebrews 9:22). summary Exodus 4:9 shows God graciously preparing Moses with a third sign, addressing stubborn unbelief with undeniable proof. By turning Egypt’s proud river into blood on dry soil, the Lord exposes false security, demonstrates His total authority, and previews the plagues to come. The passage reminds us that God supplies sufficient evidence for faith, holds people responsible for their response, and ultimately points every miracle toward the greater redemption fulfilled in Christ. |
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