The account of Moses' hand becoming leprous is a significant event in the narrative of the Exodus, demonstrating God's power and authority through His chosen servant, Moses. This miracle is one of the signs given to Moses to authenticate his divine commission to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.

Biblical Context

The miracle occurs during Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush on Mount Horeb, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. God appears to Moses in a flame of fire from within a bush that is not consumed, and He calls Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Moses, however, expresses doubt about his ability to convince the Israelites and Pharaoh of his divine mission.

The Miracle Described

In response to Moses' hesitation, God provides him with miraculous signs to demonstrate His power. One of these signs involves Moses' hand:

"Furthermore, the LORD said to him, 'Now 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. '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" (Exodus 4:6-7).

Significance of the Miracle

1. Divine Authority: The transformation of Moses' hand serves as a powerful demonstration of God's authority over creation and His ability to perform wonders. By afflicting and then healing Moses' hand, God shows that He has control over health and disease, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

2. Authentication of Moses' Mission: This miracle, along with others, is intended to authenticate Moses as God's chosen leader. It provides tangible evidence to the Israelites and to Pharaoh that Moses is acting under divine instruction. The miraculous sign is meant to inspire faith and obedience among the Israelites and to challenge the hardness of Pharaoh's heart.

3. Symbolism of Purity and Restoration: Leprosy in the biblical context often symbolizes sin and impurity. The instantaneous healing of Moses' hand can be seen as a symbol of God's power to purify and restore. It foreshadows the greater spiritual deliverance that God will accomplish for His people.

4. Foreshadowing of Future Miracles: This miracle is one of the many signs and wonders that God will perform through Moses and Aaron during the Exodus. It sets the stage for the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, further establishing God's supremacy over the gods of Egypt and His commitment to His covenant people.

Theological Implications

The miracle of Moses' leprous hand underscores the theme of divine election and empowerment. God chooses Moses, despite his initial reluctance and perceived inadequacies, and equips him with the necessary signs to fulfill his mission. This reflects the broader biblical principle that God often chooses unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes, equipping them with His power and presence.

In summary, the miracle of Moses' hand becoming leprous and then healed is a testament to God's sovereign power and His ability to work through His servants to achieve His redemptive plans. It serves as a foundational moment in the Exodus narrative, reinforcing the themes of divine authority, authentication of God's messengers, and the promise of deliverance and restoration for His people.Exodus 4:6
And the LORD said furthermore to him, Put now your hand into your bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... lose not those things which we have wrought, but that ... through the lust of the flesh,
through much wantonness ... the earth by the means of those miracles which he ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... given of his birth, life, death, doctrine, and miracles, in the ... had been imperfect,
not through man's weakness, but through impediment in God, or in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

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