What’s That in Your Hand?
It was an ordinary wooden walking stick. Moses was learning that just as time doesn’t limit God’s plans, neither does anything else. God can use the most ordinary thing to get his work done. If Moses can’t speak, then Aaron will speak for him, and so on. In Moses’ time or in ours, only a lack of trust keeps us from being a positive part of God’s purpose to save his people. The work will get done, but you must give yourself over to the Lord to be part of his actions..
Confirmation Of Moses’ Mission
Moses asked the LORD, “Suppose the Israelites do not believe me and will not listen to what I say. What shall I do if they say that you did not appear to me?” So the LORD asked him, “What are you holding?” “A walking stick,” he answered. The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” When Moses threw it down, it turned into a snake, and he ran away from it. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Reach down and pick it up by the tail.” So Moses reached down and caught it, and it became a walking stick again.
The LORD said, “Do this to prove to the Israelites that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to you.”
Other Signs To Convince Egypt
The LORD spoke to Moses again, “Put your hand inside your robe.” Moses obeyed; and when he took his hand out, it was diseased, covered with white spots, like snow. Then the LORD said, “Put your hand inside your robe again.” He did so, and when he took it out this time, it was healthy, just like the rest of his body. The LORD said, “If they will not believe you or be convinced by the first miracle, then this one will convince them. If in spite of these two miracles they still will not believe you, and if they refuse to listen to what you say, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the ground. The water will turn into blood.”
Moses said, “No, LORD, don’t send me. I have never been a good speaker, and I haven’t become one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant.” The LORD said to him, “Who gives man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or dumb? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? It is I, the LORD. Now, go! I will help you to speak, and I will tell you what to say.” Moses answered, “No, Lord, please send someone else.”
At this the LORD became angry with Moses and said, “What about your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. In fact, he is now coming to meet you and will be glad to see you. You can speak to him and tell him what to say. I will help both of you to speak, and I will tell you both what to do. He will be your spokesman and speak to the people for you. Then you will be like God, telling him what to say. Take this walking stick with you; for with it you will perform miracles.”
