Overview:

Exodus 4 continues the narrative of Moses’ calling by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Following his encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3, Moses expresses his deep reservations about accepting the task God has set before him. This chapter highlights Moses’ reluctance, God’s reassurance, and the provision of signs to affirm God’s calling. Moses’ doubts center on whether the Israelites will believe that God has truly sent him, and whether he is personally equipped for the mission, given his lack of eloquence.

In response to Moses’ concerns, God provides three miraculous signs: turning Moses’ staff into a snake, turning his hand leprous and then healing it, and turning water from the Nile into blood. These signs are meant to demonstrate God’s power and confirm that Moses is indeed His chosen instrument. Despite these signs, Moses continues to express his doubts, citing his poor speaking ability, and eventually, God assigns Aaron, Moses’ brother, to assist him in speaking to Pharaoh.

The chapter also includes Moses’ return to Egypt after receiving permission from his father-in-law Jethro. God reminds Moses of the coming confrontation with Pharaoh, and the eventual hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Along the way, there is a mysterious incident where God seeks to kill Moses, but his wife, Zipporah, intervenes by circumcising their son. This event serves as a critical moment, emphasizing the necessity of covenant obedience.

Exodus 4 concludes with Moses and Aaron reuniting, meeting with the elders of Israel, and sharing God’s message. The chapter emphasizes God’s provision for those He calls, His power over opposition, and the importance of obedience to His covenant.

Historical and Literary Context:

Exodus 4 continues the dialogue between Moses and God, further developing the themes of God’s call and Moses’ reluctance. Moses’ hesitance reflects a common biblical motif where individuals chosen by God express feelings of inadequacy (see Gideon in Judges 6, Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1). God’s response, providing signs and the promise of His presence, is consistent with His faithfulness in equipping those He calls.

The inclusion of Aaron as Moses’ spokesperson highlights the communal aspect of leadership in Israel, where God often uses more than one person to accomplish His purposes. The incident with Zipporah and the circumcision of their son is significant because it reflects the importance of obedience to the covenant, particularly the covenant of circumcision given to Abraham (Genesis 17:10-14). It also foreshadows the seriousness of covenantal faithfulness that will be emphasized throughout the Pentateuch.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points:

God’s Patience with His Servant:

Moses’ repeated doubts and hesitations are met with God’s patience. God does not rebuke Moses harshly for his reluctance but provides reassurance through signs and by sending Aaron to assist him.

“Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you’” (Exodus 4:14).

Despite Moses’ hesitance, God continues to equip him for the task, demonstrating His patience with those He calls.

The Power of God’s Signs:

God provides Moses with three miraculous signs to convince the Israelites that He has sent him: the staff turning into a snake, the leprous hand, and the water from the Nile turning into blood. These signs display God’s authority over creation and serve to validate Moses’ leadership.

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied. The Lord said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it” (Exodus 4:2-3).

These miracles are not merely demonstrations of power but are symbolic of God’s sovereignty over the natural world and His ability to act decisively in history.

The Importance of Covenant Obedience:

The incident with Zipporah circumcising their son highlights the importance of adhering to the covenant God established with Abraham. Although Moses is chosen as Israel’s deliverer, even he must be faithful to the covenant requirements.

“But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. ‘Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,’ she said. So the Lord let him alone” (Exodus 4:25-26).

This moment underscores the seriousness of covenant obedience, particularly for those called to lead God’s people.

God’s Plan and Human Agency:

Despite Moses’ reluctance, God’s plan will not be thwarted. Even when Moses questions his ability, God equips him, showing that human limitations cannot hinder God’s purposes.

“I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do” (Exodus 4:15).

God often calls individuals who feel unworthy or inadequate, but He supplies what is necessary for them to fulfill His mission.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Exodus 4:1-5:

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. “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.”

Moses’ initial concern is whether the Israelites will believe that God has sent him. God’s response is to provide a miraculous sign involving Moses’ staff, transforming it into a snake and then back into a staff. The symbolism of the snake may also hint at Egypt’s power, as serpents were commonly associated with Egyptian symbolism, particularly with Pharaoh’s crown. God’s ability to control the snake represents His authority over Egypt.

Exodus 4:6-7:

Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow. “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.

The second sign involves Moses’ hand becoming leprous and then being restored. Leprosy in the ancient world was seen as a symbol of impurity and divine judgment. God’s ability to both afflict and heal Moses demonstrates His power over life and death, health and sickness.

Exodus 4:8-9:

Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.”

The third sign involves turning water from the Nile into blood, which prefigures the first plague that will be unleashed upon Egypt. This sign specifically targets the Nile, Egypt’s source of life and prosperity, showing that God has power over Egypt’s most vital resource.

Exodus 4:10-12:

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Despite the signs, Moses continues to express reluctance, focusing on his perceived inadequacy as a speaker. God’s response is a reminder that He is the Creator of all things, including human ability. God’s promise to help Moses speak reflects His commitment to equip those He calls.

Exodus 4:13-17:

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

Moses’ persistent hesitation leads to God appointing Aaron as Moses’ spokesperson. This partnership between Moses and Aaron reflects God’s accommodation to human weakness and His use of community in accomplishing His purposes.

Exodus 4:18-20:

Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive.” Jethro said, “Go, and I wish you well.” Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead.” So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.

Moses returns to Midian, where he receives Jethro’s blessing to go back to Egypt. God reassures Moses that those who sought his life are dead, and Moses sets out with his family, equipped with the “staff of God,” which will be used to perform miracles.

Exodus 4:21-23:

The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’”

God forewarns Moses that Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened and that the confrontation with Pharaoh will lead to the death of the firstborn in Egypt. This passage introduces the concept of Israel as God’s “firstborn son,” reflecting the intimate relationship between God and His people.

Exodus 4:24-26:

At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)

This strange and enigmatic event highlights the importance of covenant obedience. Moses’ failure to circumcise his son nearly results in his death, but Zipporah’s quick action averts God’s judgment. This moment underscores that even those called by God are not exempt from the requirements of the covenant.

Exodus 4:27-31:

The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. Then Moses told Aaron everything the Lord had sent him to say, and also about all the signs he had commanded him to perform. Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron told them everything the Lord had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

The chapter concludes with Moses and Aaron reuniting, sharing God’s message with the elders of Israel, and performing the signs. The Israelites’ response is one of faith and worship, as they recognize that God has heard their cries and is acting on their behalf.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ:

Exodus 4 highlights God’s preparation of Moses for his role as deliverer, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was given signs to confirm his divine commission, Jesus performed miracles that attested to His divine authority (John 10:25). The signs provided to Moses—especially the transformation of the staff, the leprous hand, and the turning of water into blood—point forward to the plagues that will demonstrate God’s power over Egypt and ultimately to Christ’s power over sin and death.

Additionally, the theme of covenant obedience in the episode with Zipporah points to the importance of covenant faithfulness in Christ’s work. Jesus, as the perfect covenant keeper, fulfilled the law completely and obediently, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

Sermon Outline and Flow:

1. Introduction: Moses’ Reluctance and God’s Call
   • Explore Moses’ hesitations and how God responds with reassurance and signs.
   • Relate this to the Christian experience of doubt and how God equips us for His calling.
2. Point 1: The Power of God’s Signs
   • Discuss the significance of the miraculous signs and how they confirm Moses’ calling.
   • Application: God provides us with assurance of His presence through His Word and through the Holy Spirit.
3. Point 2: God’s Patience with His Servants
   • Highlight God’s patience with Moses despite his reluctance and how God accommodates his weakness by sending Aaron.
   • Application: God is patient with our weaknesses and equips us for the tasks He calls us to.
4. Point 3: Covenant Faithfulness
   • Examine the incident with Zipporah and the importance of covenant obedience.
   • Application: Our response to God’s grace should be faithful obedience, recognizing the seriousness of the covenant.

Illustrations and Examples:

• Use a modern example of someone who felt inadequate for a God-given task but experienced God’s provision and empowerment.
• Share a personal story of wrestling with doubt and how God provided reassurance through His Word or the encouragement of others.

Application for Today’s Christian:

Exodus 4 reminds believers that when God calls us, He equips us with what we need to fulfill His mission. Like Moses, we may feel inadequate or doubt our abilities, but God provides signs of His presence, assurance of His promises, and the support of others, just as He sent Aaron to assist Moses. Additionally, this chapter teaches us the importance of covenant faithfulness. God’s promises come with the expectation of obedience, and just as Moses had to uphold the covenant through circumcision, we too are called to live in faithful obedience to Christ.

Connection to the Father in Exodus 4:

God the Father’s patience and provision are evident throughout this chapter. He patiently reassures Moses, providing signs and appointing Aaron to assist him. This reflects God’s character as a loving Father who equips His children for the tasks He assigns. God’s concern for His covenant people is also evident, as He acts to deliver them from Egypt in fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Connection to Jesus Christ in Exodus 4:

Moses, as the deliverer of Israel, prefigures Christ, the ultimate Deliverer. Just as Moses is given signs to confirm his divine commission, Jesus performed signs and miracles to confirm His identity as the Son of God. The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart and the eventual plagues point to the greater deliverance Jesus would bring from the bondage of sin. Christ’s faithfulness in fulfilling the covenant on our behalf is the ultimate expression of obedience and sacrifice.

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Exodus 4:

The Holy Spirit’s role in empowering individuals for God’s purposes is reflected in God’s promise to be with Moses and to help him speak. The Spirit similarly empowers believers today, equipping them for ministry and providing the strength to fulfill God’s calling. The signs given to Moses are a foreshadowing of the power of the Spirit at work in the lives of God’s people.

Connection to God’s Love in Exodus 4:

God’s love is demonstrated in His patience with Moses and His commitment to His covenant people. Despite Moses’ reluctance, God continues to assure him of His presence and equips him for the task ahead. God’s concern for the suffering of His people in Egypt reflects His compassionate love, which ultimately points forward to the greater expression of His love in Jesus Christ, who delivers us from the slavery of sin.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Exodus 4 demonstrate God’s patience with those He calls, and how can we find comfort in this for our own lives?
2. In what ways do the signs God gives to Moses foreshadow Christ’s miracles and the ultimate deliverance in Him?
3. How does the incident with Zipporah emphasize the importance of covenant obedience, and what does this teach us about our relationship with God?
4. What can we learn from Moses’ reluctance and how God equips him for the task of delivering Israel?
5. How can we trust in God’s provision and presence when we face tasks that seem beyond our ability?