Exodus 4:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff."

NIV: Then the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.

NASB: The Lord said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' And he said, 'A staff.'

CSB: The Lord asked him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.

NLT: Then the Lord asked him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A shepherd’s staff,' Moses replied.

KJV: And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

NKJV: So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”

Moses has raised a concern (Exodus 4:1) about God's command to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10). The problem is simple: Moses is essentially a stranger with no credibility in the eyes of the Israelite people (Exodus 2:10, 14–15; Acts 7:29–30). The Lord apparently hasn't spoken to Israel since they came into Egypt (Genesis 15:13). If Moses claims to have spoken with the One True God (Exodus 3:14), worshipped by the patriarchs (Exodus 3:15), there is no reason for them to believe it.

The Lord responds by setting up a series of miraculous signs. The first involves Moses' staff (Exodus 4:3–5). Moses is given the ability to turn it into a snake and then back into a staff. This staff would be integral to many other expressions of God's power through Moses (Exodus 4:20; 7:9–12, 15; 8:5, 16; 9:23; 10:13). After Israel left Egypt, the staff would continue to be a tangible part of God's miracles on behalf of Israel (Exodus 14:16; 17:9; Numbers 20:8–9).

Moses' staff demonstrates one of the lessons in the book of Exodus. The staff was just a stick—it had no power of its own. But it could be a conduit for power. Moses, likewise, was just a man (Exodus 3:11). Yet the power to free Israel was not coming from Moses, but from God (Exodus 3:12).

Exodus 4:1–9 continues the conversation between Moses and God. Moses doubts that anyone will believe his story. So, the Lord gives him signs such as transforming Moses' staff into a snake, afflicting and healing leprosy on his own hand, and turning water poured on the ground into blood. These prove God's power over animal life, human life, and nature itself.

While speaking with God in the form of a supernaturally burning bush, Moses expresses a lack of confidence. God gives Moses several miraculous signs so he can prove the source of his message. Moses is still unsure because of his poor speech. Though irritated, God appoints Moses' brother, Aaron, to be the spokesman while Moses relays the words of God. Moses returns to Egypt. Along the way, he nearly dies due to God's anger over some issue related to circumci-sion. After meeting his brother, Moses convinces the elders of Israel that his mission is genuine.

Moses, born an Israelite (Exodus 2:1) but raised by an Egyptian princess (Exodus 2:10) fled into exile after killing an abu-sive Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:14–15). Later, Moses meets God (Exodus 3:6) and receives the initial command to challenge Pharaoh for the freedom of the Israelites (Exodus 3:18–20). In this chapter, Moses makes excuses about his public speaking and nearly dies because of an uncircumcised son. Israel's elders believe Moses' story. But in the next chapter, Moses' early confrontation with Pharaoh goes poorly; the people are worked even hard-er (Exodus 5:5–9) and they begin to turn against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.