Exodus 4:2 – “Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied.”
Extended Explanation
In Exodus 4:2, God asks Moses a simple yet profound question: “What is that in your hand?” Moses, who has just expressed doubts about his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, responds with a straightforward answer, “A staff.” This verse marks the beginning of a significant moment where God will use what Moses has in his hand—an ordinary shepherd’s staff—to demonstrate His extraordinary power.
The staff, a common tool for shepherds, symbolizes Moses’ identity and occupation. At this point, Moses likely sees it as just a practical tool, nothing more. But God is about to show Moses that even something as ordinary as a staff can become a powerful instrument in His hands. This verse serves as a reminder that God can use the everyday, seemingly insignificant things in our lives to accomplish His purposes.
Historical Context
This exchange takes place during Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush on Mount Horeb. Moses, who had fled from Egypt decades earlier, had settled into a quiet life as a shepherd in Midian. Now, at 80 years old, God calls him to return to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
In the ancient world, a staff was an essential tool for shepherds, used to guide and protect their sheep. It was a symbol of authority and care. For Moses, the staff represented his life as a shepherd—a far cry from the life he once had in Pharaoh’s palace. God’s question, “What is that in your hand?” challenges Moses to see beyond the ordinary and recognize that God can use even the most mundane objects for His divine purposes.
Theological Implications
Exodus 4:2 highlights a key theological principle: God uses what we have, no matter how ordinary or insignificant it may seem, to fulfill His plans. This verse encourages us to offer what is in our hands—our skills, resources, and even our weaknesses—to God. When placed in God’s hands, these ordinary things can become extraordinary tools for His glory.
God’s question to Moses also reminds us that He meets us where we are. He doesn’t ask Moses to go and find something new; He simply asks Moses to use what he already has. This reflects the idea that God equips those He calls, not by giving them new tools but by transforming what they already possess into instruments of His will.
Literary Analysis
The question, “What is that in your hand?” is simple yet loaded with significance. It draws the reader’s attention to the object that will play a crucial role in the coming narrative. The staff, a symbol of Moses’ past as a shepherd, is about to be transformed into a sign of God’s power and authority.
The verse also employs a common biblical motif where God uses ordinary objects to perform extraordinary acts. This sets the stage for the miracles that Moses will perform in Egypt, beginning with the transformation of the staff into a serpent in the very next verses. The staff, which appears mundane, becomes a central symbol in the story of Israel’s deliverance.
Biblical Cross-References
Several other passages in the Bible echo the theme of God using what is in our hands:
- Judges 15:15 – Samson uses the jawbone of a donkey to defeat a thousand Philistines. A seemingly insignificant object becomes a powerful weapon in God’s hands.
- 1 Samuel 17:49 – David uses a simple sling and a stone to defeat Goliath, showing that God can use ordinary means to achieve great victories.
- John 6:9-11 – Jesus uses a young boy’s five loaves and two fish to feed thousands, demonstrating that what we offer, no matter how small, can be multiplied by God to meet the needs of many.
These examples reinforce the idea that God delights in using the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Exodus 4:2 is a powerful reminder that God can use whatever we have in our hands to fulfill His purposes. Whether it’s a skill, a resource, or even a seemingly insignificant object, God can transform it into something that can make a difference in His kingdom.
This verse challenges us to take inventory of what we have and ask ourselves, “What is in my hand?” It encourages us to trust that God can use our talents, resources, and even our struggles to bring about His will. We don’t need to wait for something grand or spectacular; we simply need to offer what we have to God and watch how He will use it.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Exodus 4:2 shows God’s love in how He interacts with Moses. God doesn’t dismiss Moses’ doubts or tell him to find something more impressive. Instead, He asks Moses to use what he already has, demonstrating that God values and can work through the ordinary aspects of our lives.
This approach reflects God’s loving nature—He doesn’t place burdensome demands on us, but rather, He invites us to participate in His work with what we have. God’s love is evident in His willingness to involve us in His plans, even when we feel inadequate or underprepared.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Exodus 4:2 connects to Jesus Christ in that it foreshadows how God often works through the humble and ordinary to accomplish His greatest works. Jesus Himself was born into humble circumstances, in a manger in Bethlehem, and lived a life that, by worldly standards, was simple and unremarkable. Yet, through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God brought about the greatest act of deliverance—salvation for all humanity.
Jesus also used ordinary things—bread and wine, a simple carpenter’s tools, and even His own humanity—to reveal God’s power and love. Just as God asked Moses to use what was in his hand, Jesus invites us to use what we have to follow Him and participate in His mission.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What is in your hand right now that God might want to use for His purposes?
- How can you offer your ordinary skills and resources to God in a way that allows Him to use them for extraordinary outcomes?
- Have you ever experienced a time when something ordinary in your life was used by God in a powerful way? How did that impact your faith?
- In what ways does this verse challenge you to trust that God can work through even the simplest aspects of your life?
- How does recognizing God’s use of the ordinary change your perspective on what it means to serve Him?
This verse encourages us to see the potential in the everyday things we often overlook. By offering what we have to God, we open ourselves to the possibility that He will do great things through even the most ordinary aspects of our lives.