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Exodus 4:1–9
“Moses answered, ‘But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, “The Lord did not appear to you” ’ ” (v. 1).
Hebrews 11:23–28 presents Moses as one of the great heroes of the faith. Yet Moses’ faith was not a perfect faith in all respects. While we would not want to imitate Moses at the points where his trust in the Lord was less than it should have been, that he is remembered in Scripture as a model of faith is encouraging. It shows us that God regards as faithful those whose faith is imperfect. He is looking for genuine trust in Him over time, not for a faith that never falters. Of course, when our faith does falter, we should cry out to the Lord to help our unbelief (Mark 9:24).
Today’s passage hints at Moses’ wavering trust in God when the leader of Israel was first called. Having been commissioned to go to Egypt and demand that Pharaoh free the Israelites from slavery, Moses objects that the people will not believe that God has sent him (Ex. 4:1). Evidently, there is some truth to Moses’ concerns, for instead of saying that Moses is wrong, the Lord gives Moses three signs or miracles to perform to demonstrate his appointment by the Lord to lead Israel and give them God’s law. This points us to one of the chief purposes of miracles in Scripture—to authenticate those who will deliver divine revelation.
Two of the miracles given to Moses—his staff becoming a serpent and his hand becoming leprous (vv. 2–8)—are easily repeatable and were perhaps performed before different groups of Israelites to convince them of Moses’ commission. They also point toward God’s power over Pharaoh and over human beings. The pharaohs wore headdresses adorned with a clasp that resembled a cobra. God’s ability to turn a staff into a snake and take the snake up again shows the Lord’s might over the king wearing a snake. His control over people is seen in the fact that He can make human flesh diseased and then whole again. God’s signs are given not as ostentatious displays of power but as means to teach truths about the Lord’s omnipotence.
The third miracle given for Moses to perform is to turn water from the Nile River into blood (v. 9). This miracle depicts the Lord’s power over Egypt and Egypt’s gods. Because the water of the Nile gave life to Egypt, the ancient Egyptians worshiped it and associated many of their deities with it. It was also used to personify the nation. By changing the Nile’s life-giving water into death-dealing blood, God shows that He is far greater than Egypt’s false deities.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Miracles in Scripture are given not simply to amaze us but to teach us theological lessons about God’s power and greatness. The wonders that Moses and other biblical figures perform show us that the God of Israel revealed in Scripture is the only true God. They demonstrate to us that our trust in the Lord is not misplaced. Reading and meditating on the miracles of Scripture is an excellent way to grow stronger in the faith.
For Further Study
- Exodus 7
- Psalm 105:1–6
- John 4:46–54
- Hebrews 2:1–4