Exodus 4:17 – “But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”
Extended Explanation
In Exodus 4:17, God gives Moses a clear instruction to take the staff in his hand, which will be the tool through which Moses will perform miraculous signs. This staff, a simple shepherd’s tool, becomes a powerful symbol of God’s authority and presence with Moses. Through this staff, God will demonstrate His power not only to Moses but also to Pharaoh, the Israelites, and the Egyptians.
The staff is more than just a physical object; it represents God’s power working through Moses. By commanding Moses to take the staff, God is also reminding Moses that the success of his mission does not rely on his own abilities, but on God’s power. The staff will be the instrument through which God’s miracles will be displayed, beginning with turning it into a serpent and later being used in the plagues and parting of the Red Sea.
Historical Context
This verse is part of God’s commissioning of Moses at the burning bush. Moses has been living in Midian as a shepherd for 40 years, after fleeing Egypt where he once lived as a prince. Now, God is calling him to return to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses is initially reluctant, citing various concerns and doubts about his abilities.
In the ancient world, a staff was a common tool for shepherds, used for guidance, protection, and support. However, God transforms this ordinary object into a symbol of divine power. The staff becomes a key element in the narrative of the Exodus, used by Moses to perform the miracles that will convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go and demonstrate to the Israelites that God is with them.
Theological Implications
Exodus 4:17 carries significant theological implications. It highlights the principle that God can use ordinary things for extraordinary purposes. The staff, an everyday tool for a shepherd, becomes the means through which God’s miraculous power is displayed. This underscores the idea that God’s power is not limited by the ordinariness of the instruments He chooses to use.
This verse also emphasizes the importance of obedience and faith. By instructing Moses to take the staff, God is asking Moses to trust in His plan and to act in faith. The staff in Moses’ hand becomes a tangible reminder that it is God’s power, not human strength, that will accomplish the deliverance of Israel.
Literary Analysis
Literarily, Exodus 4:17 serves as a conclusion to the dialogue between God and Moses at the burning bush. The command to take the staff is simple but profound, encapsulating the shift from doubt to action. The staff, mentioned several times throughout the narrative, becomes a symbol of continuity, linking the different miraculous events that God will perform through Moses.
The verse also reinforces the theme of God’s provision. Moses is given a specific tool—the staff—that will be used in the miraculous signs. This focus on the staff creates a tangible link between God’s command and Moses’ actions, grounding the abstract idea of divine power in a concrete object.
Biblical Cross-References
Several other passages in the Bible reflect similar themes of God using ordinary objects for extraordinary purposes:
- Exodus 7:9-12 – The first sign Moses performs with the staff is turning it into a serpent before Pharaoh. This act sets the stage for the subsequent miracles.
- Numbers 17:8 – Aaron’s staff buds and produces almonds as a sign of God’s choice of the Levitical priesthood. This is another example of God using a staff as a symbol of His authority.
- 1 Samuel 17:40 – David uses a sling and a stone to defeat Goliath, another example of God using simple, ordinary tools to achieve His purposes.
These cross-references reinforce the idea that God often chooses humble means to demonstrate His power and fulfill His plans.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Exodus 4:17 serves as a reminder that God can use the ordinary things in our lives for extraordinary purposes. Just as He used Moses’ staff to perform miracles, God can use our talents, resources, and even our weaknesses to accomplish His will. This verse encourages us to trust that God can work through us, even when we feel inadequate or unprepared.
This verse also challenges us to be obedient and faithful in what God has placed in our hands. Whether it’s a talent, a job, or a simple task, God calls us to use what we have in service to Him, trusting that He will do the rest. It’s a call to step out in faith, knowing that God’s power is at work in and through us.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Exodus 4:17 reflects God’s love in the way He equips and empowers Moses for the task ahead. God doesn’t just send Moses out with nothing; He gives him a tool that will be a constant reminder of God’s presence and power. This shows that God cares about the details of our lives and provides what we need to fulfill His calling.
God’s love is also evident in His patience with Moses. Despite Moses’ doubts and hesitations, God continues to reassure him and provide the necessary tools and signs to build his confidence. This demonstrates God’s understanding and compassion, meeting us where we are and giving us what we need to move forward in faith.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ in that it foreshadows the way God uses simple, ordinary things to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Just as God used Moses’ staff to perform miracles, Jesus used everyday things—like loaves and fish, water, and even mud—to perform His miracles. These actions demonstrate that God’s power is not confined to what is grand or spectacular, but often works through the humble and the simple.
Furthermore, the staff in Moses’ hand can be seen as a precursor to the cross in Jesus’ hands. The cross, a symbol of suffering and death, became the instrument of the greatest miracle of all—the salvation of humanity. Just as the staff was a sign of God’s power in the hands of Moses, the cross is the ultimate sign of God’s love and power through Jesus Christ.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What are some “ordinary” things in your life that God might want to use for His extraordinary purposes?
- How does Moses’ obedience in taking the staff challenge you to trust God with what He has placed in your hands?
- In what ways have you experienced God working through simple or unexpected means in your life?
- How can the symbolism of the staff in Moses’ hand encourage you when you feel inadequate or unsure of your calling?
- How does this verse deepen your understanding of God’s love and provision in equipping you for His work?
Exodus 4:17 reminds us that God equips us with what we need to fulfill His purposes, often using the ordinary things in our lives to do extraordinary things. It challenges us to trust in His power and to step out in faith, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.