Exodus 4 explained: Moses Runs Out of Excuses

Signs for doubters (vv. 1-9)

Moses fears no one will believe him, so God gives him proof: his shepherd's staff becomes a snake and then a staff again, and his hand turns white with a skin disease and then heals. A third sign, Nile water turning to blood, looks ahead to the disasters that will later strike Egypt.

"I'm not a speaker" (vv. 10-17)

Moses says he speaks poorly; no one knows whether he had a speech problem or had lost his fluency after decades away from Egypt. God reminds him who made human mouths, and when Moses still begs to be excused, God is angry but gives him his brother Aaron as his spokesman.

Heading back to Egypt (vv. 18-23)

Moses asks his father-in-law Jethro for permission to leave and sets out with his family, since the men who wanted him dead are gone. God warns that Pharaoh will refuse, and says that because Pharaoh will not free Israel, whom God calls his firstborn son, Pharaoh's own firstborn son will die.

A night of danger (vv. 24-26)

In one of the Bible's most puzzling scenes, the LORD is about to kill Moses, and his wife Zipporah saves him by circumcising their son with a stone knife. Scholars are unsure of the details, but many think Moses had not circumcised his son, the mark of belonging to God's people, and "bridegroom of blood" seems to refer to that rite.

The people believe (vv. 27-31)

Aaron meets Moses in the desert, and together they gather Israel's elders, with Aaron speaking and the signs being performed. Moses had feared rejection, but the people believe and bow in worship when they hear that God has seen their suffering.

Key verse: Exodus 4:12

Something to think about

When have you been asked to do something you felt unqualified for, and what made the difference in whether you said yes?