Exodus 4: A Reluctant Deliverer — A Resolute God Pt 10
The Conversation So Far:
++God has called
++God has spoken
++God has answered Moses’ objections
++Yet Moses is still resisting
--
Moses’ Previous Objections
++“Who am I…?” (3:11) - Inadequacy
++“What is His name?” (3:13) - Uncertainty
++God answered both clearly
++Problem now: Not lack of information - Resistance of the will
--
The Real Heart Issue
++Moses is negotiating, not seeking understanding
++“What if they will not believe me…?” (4:1)
++Contradicts God’s promise (3:18 – “They will pay heed”)
++Distrust disguised as concern
++Projecting his own unbelief onto others
--
The “What If” Monster
++Focused on hypotheticals instead of God’s Word
++Builds worst-case scenarios before obeying
++Trains us toward quiet, consistent disobedience
++Living in imagined outcomes rather than God’s promises
--
God’s Gracious Response
++Not frustration or rejection
++Patient, but not permissive
++Moves toward Moses to strengthen weak faith
++Gives confirming signs (vv. 2–9)
--
Purpose of the Signs
++Authenticate Moses as God’s messenger
++Demonstrate God’s supremacy over Egypt and its gods
--
The staff becomes a serpent (vv.2-9)
++Ordinary shepherd’s staff → snake
++Moses runs in fear
++“Take it by the tail” → becomes staff again
++Key Truth: God has authority over what you fear
--
The Hand becomes leprous (vv.6-8)
++Clean hand -> leprous (severe, visible disease)
++Put back in cloak -> fully restored
++Key Truth: God reveals our true condition (sin)
--
The Nile's water becomes blood (v.9)
++Water from Nile --> blood
++Nile = Egypt’s source of life, economy, stability
++Key Truth: God has authority over what you trust
--
The Three Signs Together
++Staff: Authority over what you fear
++Hand: Reveals what you are (sinful condition)
++Nile: Authority over what you trust
++Unified message: Trust and obey God