Exodus 4

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-10

A trilogy of signs. In reply to his complaint that the people would not believe him, nor hearken to his voice, God gave Moses three signs. These are to be viewed— I. AS ATTESTATIONS OF HIS DIVINE COMMISSION ( Exodus 4:5 , Exodus 4:8 ). Divine power is supernaturally exercised in proof of Moses' title to speak with Divine authority. This is a clear case of the use of miracles as credentials of a mission, and confutes those who reason that this view of miracles has no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The reluctance of Moses to undertake the part of leader, indicated by his first reply at his first calling, "Who am I that I should go?" etc. ( Exodus 3:11 ), was not yet overcome. God had promised that he would succeed; but he did not see how he could succeed, either with the people or with Pharaoh. It was not enough for him that God had declared, "They (the people) shall hearken unto thy voice" ( Exodus 3:18 ); he does not, cannot believe this, and replies: "Behold, they will not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

Divine supplements for human infirmity. "Now therefore go, and I will be with thee," etc. ( Exodus 4:12 .) It is not at all clear whether the four objections urged by Moses against receiving the Divine commission were presented at one interview with the manifested God, or whether the controversy recorded Ex 3:1-4:17, occupied weeks or months. The probabilities are in favour of some considerable time. See Exodus 4:10 , and specially in the Hebrews In dealing with this particular plea,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:2

A rod . Or "a staff." Some suppose the ordinary shepherd's staff, or crook, to be meant; but it is objected that this would have been an unfit object to have brought into the presence of Pharaoh (Kalisch), being unsuitable for a court, and emblematic of an occupation which the Egyptians loathed ( Genesis 46:34 ); and the suggestion is therefore made, that it was the baton or long stick commonly carried by Egyptians of good position and especially by persons in authority. But Moses in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:3

It became a serpent . The word here used for "serpent," nakhash , is a generic word applicable to any species of snake. We cannot assume that the cobra is the serpent meant, though no doubt Moses, when he fled from before it , believed it to be a venomous serpent. Various reasons for God's choice of this particular sign have been given. Perhaps the best is, that a trick of the kind was known to the Egyptian conjurors, who would be tempted to exhibit it in order to discredit Moses,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:4

By the tail . A snake-charmer will usually take up his serpents by the neck, so that they may not be able to bite him. Moses was bidden to show his trust in God by taking up his serpent by the tail. His courage, as well as his faith, is shown in his ready obedience. It became a rod . A veritable rod once more, not a mere stiffened snake like the "rods" of the magicians ( Exodus 7:12 ) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:5

That they may believe . The sign was to convince the Israelites, in the first instance, and cause them to accept the mission of Moses (see Exodus 4:30 , Exodus 4:31 ). It was afterwards to be exhibited before Pharaoh ( Exodus 4:21 ), to try him and prove him, but not to convince him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6

Furthermore . The first sign is followed by a second, equally simple and easy of performance, and perhaps, in the eyes of the Israelites, even more marvellous. Leprosy in a developed form was regarded as absolutely incurable. (Celsus, 'De Re Medica,' 5.7-8.) Its instantaneous production and removal were contrary to all experience, and in themselves thoroughly astonishing. Further, while the first miracle was simply a sign of supernatural power—a credential, the second was a warning and a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6-8

The intent of the second sign. If the first sign was powerful to convince, the second was still more powerful ( Exodus 4:8 ). It showed Moses able to produce, and cure, in a moment of time, the most virulent malady to which human nature was liable. The Egyptians greatly feared leprosy, and declared in their own accounts of the Exodus that they drove the Israelites out of their country because they were afflicted with that loathsome disease. The Israelites regarded it as the worst... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:8

The voice of the first sign . Some understand "the voice of Moses as he gave them the first sign;" but it is better to regard the sign itself as speaking to them. According to the sacred writers everything that can teach us anything—day, night, the heavens, the firmament, the beasts, the fowls of the air, the fishes, nay, the very stones—have a voice. They teach us, speak to us, declare to us, cry out aloud, lift up their voice, shout, sing, proclaim God's will, whether man will hear or... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:8

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