Bible Study: Exodus 4:1-31 – The Call of Moses and the Signs of God

In this Bible study on Exodus 4, we encounter a pivotal moment in the life of Moses. In this excerpt from Scripture, we are introduced to Moses’ call by God and the miraculous signs God gave him to confirm his call. These verses, Exodus 4:1-31, reveal valuable lessons about God’s divine will, obedience, faith, and faithfulness.

The Reluctance of Moses (Exodus 4:1-9)

At the beginning of chapter 4 of Exodus, Moses finds himself before the presence of God, and the Lord gives him a mission: to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, where they had been enslaved for many years. However, Moses’ reaction is one of hesitation and reluctance. He raises a number of objections, concerned about the Israelites’ unbelief and his own lack of eloquence.

We see here an example of how God’s call often confronts us with our limitations and weaknesses. Moses, although chosen by God for a great task, doubts himself. It reminds us of the importance of trusting God, even when we feel inadequate. In Exodus 4:2 , God asks Moses, “What is that in your hand? And he said: A rod. God then transforms the rod into a serpent and then restores it, showing his power over nature. This is the first sign that God gives Moses to confirm his calling.

Furthermore, God asks Moses to place his hand on his chest, and when he removes his hand, it is leprosy. But when he places her back in his chest, she is healed. Exodus 4:6,7 – “And the Lord said unto him, Now lay thy hand in thy bosom. And when he took it away, behold, her hand was leprous, white as snow. And he said, Put your hand in your bosom again. And he placed his hand in his bosom again; Then he took it out of his bosom, and behold, it became like his flesh. ”

These divine signs are a reminder to Moses that God is the God of the impossible, capable of performing miracles and overcoming all human limitations. However, even in the face of these signs, Moses’ hesitation persists.

Moses’ Argument (Exodus 4:10-17)

As the story continues, Moses continues to argue with God, now expressing his concerns about his ability to speak before Pharaoh and the people of Israel. He claims not to be eloquent and asks God to send someone else. However, God does not accept Moses’ excuses and reaffirms his call, promising to be with his mouth and teach him what he should say.

Exodus 4:10-12 – “Then Moses said to the Lord, Ah, my Lord! I am not an eloquent man, neither yesterday nor the day before, nor since you spoke to your servant; for I am heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who made man’s mouth? or who made the mute, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Am I not the Lord? Go now therefore, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what to say.”

It is interesting to note how God does not deny the difficulty Moses will face, but instead promises to be with him. Many times in our lives we are called to tasks that seem beyond our capabilities, but God reminds us that He is our help and enabler. Obedience to God’s call is more important than our own abilities. However, it is necessary for us to have faith and trust in the Lord.

In Exodus 4:14, God even appoints Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be his spokesman before Pharaoh and the people. This collaboration between Moses and Aaron illustrates how God often gives us support and companionship on our missions. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our journey of faith, but we have brothers and sisters in faith to support us.

Moses’ Mission (Exodus 4:18-23)

Throughout chapter 4 of Exodus, Moses and Aaron prepare to fulfill the mission that God gave them. They go to Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, to ask permission to go to Israel. This is an example of the importance of obedience to God while honoring family relationships and the leadership of those around us. Jethro gives his blessing to Moses, and he leaves with his family for Egypt.

Exodus 4:21 brings an important message: “And the Lord said to Moses, When you return to Egypt, take heed that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put in your hand; but I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” Here, God reveals that Pharaoh’s resistance will not be in vain, but will serve to show his power and glory. This reminds us that God uses even opposition to accomplish his divine purposes.

The Circumcision of Moses (Exodus 4:24-26)

At this point in Exodus 4:24-26, we find an intriguing and often debated passage in Scripture. As Moses and his family traveled to Egypt, the Lord sought to kill him. His wife, Zipporah, takes a sharp stone and performs the circumcision of her son and touches Moses’ feet with her foreskin. This stops the divine threat, and God spares him.

Although this passage may seem enigmatic at first glance, we can find several interpretations. One is that Moses neglected to circumcise his son, an act of obedience to God established as a sign of the covenant with Abraham. Therefore, God was showing Moses the importance of obedience to his law. However, this interpretation raises questions about why God would seek to kill Moses. Another interpretation suggests that the episode represents a spiritual purification ceremony, preparing Moses for his leadership role.

Regardless of the interpretation, this passage reminds us of the need for obedience to God and the importance of the signs of the covenant. It also highlights how God can reveal himself in mysterious ways, defying our understanding.

Moses and Aaron before the People of Israel (Exodus 4:27-31)

Moses and Aaron finally meet with the elders of the children of Israel and report all the words that the Lord had spoken to them, as well as the signs that He had given them. And the people believe and worship God. This is a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, marking the beginning of its journey towards freedom from Egyptian slavery.

Although Moses faced his reluctance and obstacles along the way, we see here the power of obedience and the manifestation of God’s signs. The people, upon seeing these signs, believe and prostrate themselves before the Lord. This is a powerful lesson about how God uses obedient individuals and divine signs to inspire faith and worship in others.

Chapter 4 of Exodus ends with the confirmation of the mission of Moses and Aaron. God called them, empowered them and provided signs for the people to believe. These verses reveal that although we face hesitations, challenges, and even mysteries in our journey of faith, God is in control and uses everything to fulfill his purposes.

Conclusion

Studying Exodus 4:1-31 leads us to reflect on our own response to God’s call. Like Moses, we often hesitate, question our own abilities, and even challenge God. However, this passage teaches us that obedience to the divine will is fundamental, even when we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

God also shows us that He is willing to empower us with signs and wonders, and He uses circumstances, however mysterious they may seem, to accomplish His purposes. Thus, we are encouraged to trust God, to obey his voice and to recognize the importance of the signs of the covenant in our journey of faith.

As we continue to explore the Scriptures, let us remember that, like Moses, we are called to fulfill a unique and significant role in God’s plan. Trust, faith and obedience will enable us to face challenges, fulfill God’s will and witness his power in our lives. The story of Moses is a reminder that God is sovereign, faithful, and with us in all circumstances.