Exodus 4:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."

NIV: "This," said the Lord, "is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you."

NASB: so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.'

CSB: "This will take place," he continued, "so that they will believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."

NLT: Perform this sign,' the Lord told him. 'Then they will believe that the Lord, the God of their ancestors — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob — really has appeared to you.'

KJV: That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

NKJV: “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Moses was concerned no one would believe his claim about speaking for the God of Abraham (Exodus 3:13–15; 4:1). God provides miraculous signs, beginning with Moses' staff. When Moses drops it, it becomes a snake, then reverts when he picks it back up (Exodus 4:2–4). This is one of the ways in which Moses can demonstrate divine power to convince the elders of Israel (Exodus 4:30). This verse also continues to repeat references to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These not only clearly identify the Lord, but they also highlight the special relationship between God and Israel.

When Moses first confronts Pharaoh, Egyptian court magicians seem to replicate the same feat (Exodus 7:10–12). But the snake representing God—transformed from Aaron's staff—consumes the advisors' serpents.

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.