We have observed in the book of Exodus that God makes plain his purposes to Moses; what he is going to do, why he is doing it, and what the result will be. God appeared to Moses in the burning bush. He told Moses his name, that he is “I am”, meaning that he has always existed, always will, and is infinitely over his creation.
We have read repeatedly in the first few chapters of Exodus that God is keeping a promise by hearing the cries of Israel in bondage and coming to rescue them out of Egypt. He promised Abraham he would rescue his descendants and give them a land that was overflowing with abundance and blessing. God makes sure Moses knows this promise and he wants it conveyed to the Israelites.
God also told Moses that Pharaoh would refuse to let Israel go unless compelled to by God’s hand, but the end result would be Egypt freely giving Israel their wealth and letting them go. This had to be a staggering thing for Moses to take in. He was familiar with the strength of Egypt, the mightiest nation on the earth. God tells Moses Israel will indeed leave Egypt, and there is nothing Egypt can do to stop it. Egypt will also be impoverished in the process.
God’s purpose is not only to rescue Israel, but to bring judgment on Egypt. This is the pattern of God’s salvation. Moses does not question God’s promise, but he does foresee trouble with his role in it. He says in verse one that he doesn’t think the Israelites will believe God has appeared to him. It had been 400 years since God had last appeared to anyone. You can understand Moses hesitancy.
For perspective, 400 years from our time today the Pilgrims had not landed in Plymouth. 400 years is a long time. Moses is worried how he will be received. God does not rebuke Moses. Rather, he gives Moses three signs or miracles to validate Moses commission as God’s spokesman.
Miracles are not done in an abstract fashion, meaning only for the spectacle. They are to point us to God’s word. God says in verse 5 the reason he gives these to Moses is that Israel may believe his word. They are also signs that point to spiritual truths. We may look at a brief example of this in the New Testament.
Jesus did physical miracles such as making the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and raised the dead to life. These miracles fulfilled the words of Old Testament prophets that the Messiah or Christ would do such miracles. See Isaiah 35 as an example. The miracles validate Jesus claims and his word. “Listen to him” is the application.
They also point to spiritual truths. Men are blinded to the truth of God (Christ is the light). Men are deaf to God’s truth and need ears to hear (Christ is the word of God). Men are unable to walk (lame) with God (Christ gives fellowship with God). Men are dead in their sins (Christ gives new life). If you believe in Christ you are a walking miracle.
Here in Exodus the signs also have meaning. The staff Moses has becomes a serpent. Moses runs away because he knows it is a deadly snake. God then directs him to pick it up by the tail, making him appear to be vulnerable to the bite. The snake however becomes a staff again. The miracle points to Moses having been sent by God, but also that God is sovereign over the enemies of Israel.
God then directs Moses to put his hand inside his cloak, and when he brings it out it is leprous. Leprosy was a dreaded, incurable disease. They Egyptians feared it, and sought many cures but none worked. Egypt couldn’t kill the dread disease but God could. When Moses put his hand back inside his cloak and withdrew it, his hand was clean and free of leprosy. Message: don’t fear Pharaoh but rather God, and listen to God’s spokesman.
God also give Moses another sign. He is to take water from the Nile and pour it on dry ground. When he does the water will become blood. This sign portends the first plague and is a dreadful threat to the Egyptians who worship the Nile. What they hope in leads to death.
All God does and says is so his people may believe him and give themselves to him with their whole hearts and souls. If we don’t learn this first application, no other application matters.
