Exodus 4:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "If they will not believe you," God said, "or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign.

NIV: Then the Lord said, "If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second.

NASB: So if they will not believe you nor pay attention to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the last sign.

CSB: "If they will not believe you and will not respond to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign.

NLT: The Lord said to Moses, 'If they do not believe you and are not convinced by the first miraculous sign, they will be convinced by the second sign.

KJV: And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

NKJV: “Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign.

Moses knows that if he claims to be a messenger of God, others will doubt (Exodus 4:1). So, the Lord has established two miraculous signs. The first involves transforming Moses' staff into a snake (Exodus 4:2–5). The other instantly creates disease on Moses' hand, and just as immediately cures it (Exodus 4:6–7). The Mosaic law would later establish the need for two witnesses for important issues (Deuteronomy 19:15). That concept is foreshadowed in God providing more than one miracle for Moses to use.

The purpose of the second sign is given here. The Lord notes that the second miracle "may" convince skeptics. Even when confronted with obvious divine power, some are inclined to skepticism. That's not always bad (1 John 4:1), but it can be a sign that they're opposed to truth, not seeking it (John 5:39–40). The Lord knows that some will dismiss the staff and serpent as a trick. Ignoring the afflicted and healed hand won't be so easy. But some may do so, anyway.

This also serves as a transition between the second and third signs (Exodus 4:9). This further proves Moses' mission and previews the first of the ten devastating plagues (Exodus 7:14–25). Pharaoh will be so hardened against God that only the most extreme suffering will cause him to submit (Exodus 12:29–32)—and only briefly (Exodus 14:8).

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.