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Commentary on Exodus 4 verses 1–9
It was a very great honour that Moses was called to when God commissioned him to bring Israel out of Egypt; yet he is with difficulty persuaded to accept the commission, and does it at last with great reluctance, which we should rather impute to a humble diffidence of himself and his own sufficiency than to any unbelieving distrust of God and his word and power. Note, Those whom God designs for preferment he clothes with humility; the most fit for service are the least forward.
I. Moses objects that in all probability the people would not hearken to his voice (Exo 4:1), that is, they would not take his bare word, unless he showed them some sign, which he had not been yet instructed to do. This objection cannot be justified, because it contradicts what God had said (Exo 3:18), They shall hearken to thy voice. If God says, They will, does it become Moses to say, They will not? Surely he means, "Perhaps they will not at first, or some of them will not." If there should be some gainsayers among them who would question his commission, how should he deal with them? And what course should he take to convince them? He remembered how they had once rejected him, and feared it would be so again. Note, 1. Present discouragements often arise from former disappointments. 2. Wise and good men have sometimes a worse opinion of people than they deserve. Moses sad (Exo 4:1), They will not believe me; and yet he was happily mistaken, for it is said (Exo 4:31), The people believed; but then the signs which God appointed in answer to this objection were first wrought in their sight.
II. God empowers him to work miracles, directs him to three particularly, two of which were now immediately wrought for his own satisfaction. Note, True miracles are the most convincing external proofs of a divine mission attested by them. Therefore our Saviour often appealed to his works (as Joh 5:36), and Nicodemus owns himself convinced by them, Joh 3:2. And here Moses, having a special commission given him as a judge and lawgiver to Israel, has this seal affixed to his commission, and comes supported by these credentials.
1.The rod in his hand is made the subject of a miracle, a double miracle: it is but thrown out of his hand and it becomes a serpent; he resumes it and it becomes a rod again, Exo 4:2-4. Now, (1.) Here was a divine power manifested in the change itself, that a dry stick should be turned into a living serpent, a lively one, so formidable a one that Moses himself, on whom, it should seem, it turned in some threatening manner, fled from before it, though we may suppose, in that desert, serpents were no strange things to him; but what was produced miraculously was always the best and strongest of the kind, as the water turned to wine: and, then, that this living serpent should be turned into a dry stick again, this was the Lord's doing. (2.) Here was an honour put upon Moses, that this change was wrought upon his throwing it down and taking it up, without any spell, or charm, or incantation: his being empowered thus to act under God, out of the common course of nature and providence, was a demonstration of his authority, under God, to settle a new dispensation of the kingdom of grace. We cannot imagine that the God of truth would delegate such a power as this to an impostor. (3.) There was a significancy in the miracle itself. Pharaoh had turned the rod of Israel into a serpent, representing them as dangerous (Exo 1:10), causing their belly to cleave to the dust, and seeking their ruin; but now they should be turned into a rod again: or, thus Pharaoh had turned the rod of government into the serpent of oppression, from which Moses had himself fled into Midian; but by the agency of Moses the scene was altered again. (4.) There was a direct tendency in it to convince the children of Israel that Moses was indeed sent of God to do what he did, Exo 4:5. Miracles were for signs to those that believed not, Co1 14:22.
2.His hand itself is next made the subject of a miracle. He puts it once into his bosom, and takes it out leprous; he puts it again into the same place, and takes it out well, Exo 4:6, Exo 4:7. This signified, (1.) That Moses, by the power of God, should bring sore diseases upon Egypt, and that, at his prayer, they should be removed. (2.) That whereas the Israelites in Egypt had become leprous, polluted by sin, and almost consumed by oppression (a leper is as one dead, Num 12:12), by being taken into the bosom of Moses they should be cleansed and cured, and have all their grievances redressed. (3.) That Moses was not to work miracles by his own power, nor for his own praise, but by the power of God and for his glory; the leprous hand of Moses does for ever exclude boasting. Now it was supposed that, if the former sign did not convince, this latter would. Note, God is willing more abundantly to show the truth of his word, and is not sparing in his proofs; the multitude and variety of the miracles corroborate the evidence.
3.He is directed, when he shall come to Egypt, to turn some of the water of the river into blood, Exo 4:9. This was done, at first, as a sign, but, not gaining due credit with Pharaoh, the whole river was afterwards turned into blood, and then it became a plague. He is ordered to work this miracle in case they would not be convinced by the other two. Note, Unbelief shall be left inexcusable, and convicted of a wilful obstinacy. As to the people of Israel, God had said (Exo 3:18), They shall hearken; yet he appoints these miracles to be wrought for their conviction, for he that has ordained the end has ordained the means.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 4:8 reveals God's strategic and patient provision of escalating miraculous signs to Moses, anticipating the Israelites' inherent skepticism and doubt. This verse specifically states that if the people remain unconvinced by the initial sign—Moses' staff transforming into a serpent—they will undoubtedly be persuaded and believe upon witnessing the subsequent, more dramatic sign of his hand becoming leprous and then instantly healed. This divine contingency plan underscores God's profound understanding of human nature, His unwavering commitment to validating His chosen messenger, and His steadfast determination to ensure His redemptive message is received and believed, thereby setting the stage for Israel's deliverance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 4:8 lays out a divine contingency, revealing God's profound understanding of human doubt and His strategic provision of evidence. The verse outlines a progression of miraculous attestation designed to overcome anticipated skepticism among the Israelites.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Conditional Clause ("if... then...") structures the divine promise, anticipating human response and God's counter-response. This highlights God's strategic planning and His interaction with human free will. Repetition of key terms like "believe" (H539) and "voice of the sign" (H6963, H226) emphasizes the central themes of faith and divine communication through miracles. The phrase "voice of the sign" is a form of Personification, attributing the ability to speak to an inanimate miracle, underscoring its communicative purpose and the fact that it carries a divine message. Finally, the verse functions as Foreshadowing, not only of the subsequent events in Exodus where Moses performs these signs, but also of a broader biblical pattern where God provides sufficient evidence to validate His messengers and His truth, culminating in the ultimate sign of Christ.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 4:8 profoundly illuminates God's character as one who not only initiates a redemptive plan but also meticulously ensures its reception, even in the face of human skepticism. It reveals a God who is both omniscient, anticipating doubt, and patient, providing escalating evidence to lead His people to faith. The signs are not mere spectacles but divine credentials, serving as undeniable proof of Moses' divine commission and the authenticity of God's message. This passage establishes a foundational principle: God desires belief, and He will provide sufficient reason for it, demonstrating His commitment to overcoming barriers to faith and ensuring His sovereign purposes are accomplished through clear, supernatural attestation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 4:8 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that God often provides ample evidence for His truth and His plans, even when we, like Moses, may doubt or face skepticism from others. We are called to discern God's clear "signs" or confirmations in our own lives, whether through the consistent witness of His Word, the leading of His Spirit, or providential circumstances. This verse also teaches patience and perseverance when communicating spiritual truths, recognizing that people often need more than one encounter or piece of evidence to truly believe. Our role is to faithfully present the truth with grace and conviction, trusting that God will ultimately open hearts and minds to receive it. Ultimately, this passage underscores God's unwavering commitment to equipping His servants and ensuring His purposes are achieved, often through powerful and convincing demonstrations of His presence and power, assuring us that He will provide what is necessary for His will to be done. It challenges us to consider what "signs" God has given us, both personally and corporately, to strengthen our faith and empower our witness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God provide Moses with multiple signs instead of just one?
Answer: God provided Moses with multiple signs because He understood the depth of human skepticism and the magnitude of the task ahead. The first sign (the rod transforming into a serpent, as seen in Exodus 4:2-5) was powerful, but the second (Moses' hand becoming leprous and then instantly healed, described in Exodus 4:6-7) was even more personal and dramatic, designed to leave no doubt about the divine origin of Moses' authority and message. This layered, escalating approach demonstrates God's profound patience, His commitment to providing sufficient, undeniable evidence to overcome deep-seated disbelief, and His desire to ensure His message was received by a people who had long endured oppression and might be slow to trust any new deliverer. It reveals God's strategic wisdom in dealing with human doubt.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 4:8, in its emphasis on divine validation through signs, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and supreme validation found in Jesus Christ. Just as God provided Moses with irrefutable signs to authenticate his mission as a deliverer, Jesus' entire earthly ministry was marked by unparalleled signs and wonders—miracles of healing, casting out demons, calming storms, and raising the dead—all serving as undeniable proof of His divine authority and identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah (John 10:37-38). He is the ultimate "sign" given by God to humanity (Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 12:39-40). Furthermore, Jesus Himself is the very "voice" of God, the living Word made flesh (John 1:14), whose teachings and very presence communicate divine truth with ultimate authority. While many "hearkened to the voice" of His signs and believed (John 2:23), others, like some in Moses' day, required further evidence or remained hardened in their unbelief (John 12:37). Ultimately, the resurrection of Christ stands as the supreme and final sign, the irrefutable evidence that validates His claims, His message, and God's entire redemptive plan (Romans 1:4), ensuring that all who truly "hearken" to its powerful voice will believe and find eternal life.