Exodus Chapter 4 — Signs and Commission
God provides Moses with miraculous signs to prove his calling and appoints his brother Aaron to assist him as they return to Egypt.
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Notable Verses
Exodus 4:11
“The LORD said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, the LORD?””
This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty over human ability and His role as the ultimate source of speech and perception.
Exodus 4:31
“The people believed, and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had seen their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.”
This marks the first time the Israelites corporatey acknowledge God's intervention and offer worship in response to the promise of deliverance.
Chapter Summary
In Exodus 4, Moses expresses doubt that the Israelites will believe God appeared to him. In response, God provides three miraculous signs: turning Moses' staff into a serpent, making his hand leprous and then healing it, and turning water from the Nile into blood. When Moses claims he is not eloquent enough for the task, God grows angry but appoints his brother Aaron to serve as his spokesman. Moses then receives permission from Jethro to return to Egypt and takes his family with him. Along the journey, a mysterious event occurs involving the circumcision of Moses' son by his wife Zipporah to appease God's anger. Upon arriving, Moses meets Aaron in the wilderness as God commanded. They gather the elders of Israel and perform the signs God provided. Seeing these wonders and hearing that God had seen their affliction, the people believe and worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
God gave Moses three specific signs: his shepherd's staff turned into a snake, his hand became leprous and was then restored, and he was given the power to turn Nile water into blood on dry land.
Moses complained that he was slow of speech and not eloquent. Although God reminded Moses that He created the mouth, He allowed Aaron, Moses' brother, to serve as the spokesman and 'mouth' for Moses.
At a lodging place, God met Moses and 'wanted to kill him,' likely due to a failure to fulfill the covenant of circumcision. Zipporah quickly circumcised their son, referred to Moses as a 'bridegroom of blood,' and God spared him.
Study Note
The transition of the staff from 'the rod of Moses' to 'the rod of God' in verse 20 symbolizes the transformation of a common tool into an instrument of divine authority.
Related Chapters
Exodus Chapter 3
This chapter contains the initial call of Moses at the burning bush which precedes the signs given in chapter 4.
Exodus Chapter 5
This chapter follows Moses and Aaron as they deliver their first message to Pharaoh.
Genesis Chapter 17
This chapter establishes the covenant of circumcision which is a central theme in the Zipporah incident.
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