God gives signs and a spokesman for Moses

4:1 Moses answered again, “And if they do not believe me or pay attention to me, but say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you’?” 4:2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 4:3 The Lord said, “Throw it to the ground.” So he threw it to the ground, and it became a snake, and Moses ran from it. 4:4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and grab it by the tail” – so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand – 4:5 “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.” 4:6 The Lord also said to him, “Put your hand into your robe.” So he put his hand into his robe, and when he brought it out – there was his hand, leprous like snow! 4:7 He said, “Put your hand back into your robe.” So he put his hand back into his robe, and when he brought it out from his robe – there it was, restored like the rest of his skin! 4:8 “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the former sign, then they may believe the latter sign. 4:9 And if they do not believe even these two signs or listen to you, then take some water from the Nile and pour it out on the dry ground. The water you take out of the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” 4:10 Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not an eloquent man, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” 4:11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave a mouth to man, or who makes a person mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 4:12 So now go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you must say.” 4:13 But Moses said, “O my Lord, please send anyone else whom you wish to send!” 4:14 Then the Lord became angry with Moses, and he said, “What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak very well. Moreover, he is coming to meet you, and when he sees you he will be glad in his heart. 4:15 “So you are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And as for me, I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you both what you must do. 4:16 He will speak for you to the people, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were his God. 4:17 You will also take in your hand this staff, with which you will do the signs.”

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Moses fears that Israel will not believe him and says he is not a strong speaker. The Lord answers by giving three signs to show that he truly sent Moses. He also gives Aaron to help Moses speak. This passage shows that the mission will succeed by God’s power and presence, not by Moses’ natural ability.

Moses asks what he should do if the people do not believe that the Lord appeared to him. The Lord does not argue with Moses. Instead, he gives signs. Moses’ staff becomes a snake and then becomes a staff again. His hand becomes diseased and then is restored. If the first signs are refused, water from the Nile will become blood on the ground. These signs are given so the people will know that the Lord, the God of their fathers, has truly appeared to Moses.

Moses then says he is slow of speech and tongue. The Lord answers that he made the mouth and controls speech, hearing, sight, and blindness. He promises to be with Moses’ mouth and teach him what to say. Moses still resists and asks the Lord to send someone else. This makes the Lord angry, yet he provides Aaron, who can speak well and is already coming to meet Moses. Aaron will speak for Moses, while Moses will receive God’s words and commands. The staff remains with Moses as the instrument for the signs.

• God authenticates his servant with signs when his word must be confirmed.
• The Lord shows power over ordinary things, fear, disease, and the Nile.
• God’s call is not limited by a servant’s weak speech or lack of confidence.
• The Lord promises his presence: he will teach Moses what to say.
• Moses’ refusal to obey fully brings the Lord’s anger.
• Aaron is given as a helper and spokesman, but Moses remains the primary called servant.

• Warning: Do not refuse God’s call out of fear or self-doubt.
• Warning: Signs are given by God to confirm his word; they are not for human control.
• Promise: The Lord will be with Moses’ mouth and teach him what to say.
• Command: Moses must go and speak as God directs.
• Command: Moses must take the staff and use it for the signs.
• Promise: Aaron will help Moses speak to the people.

This passage stands in the line of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord identifies himself as their God and shows that he has not forgotten his covenant. The signs prepare for the return to Egypt and the coming judgment on Pharaoh. Aaron’s role also begins the pattern of delegated speech and later priestly service. The passage fits into God’s plan to redeem a people for himself and bring them out of slavery.

When God gives a task, weakness does not cancel the call. Believers should obey even when they feel inadequate. They should not wait for perfect confidence before acting. They should also accept wise help from others when God provides it. Above all, they should trust that God can supply what he requires.

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