Exodus 4:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

I. Moses objects that in all probability the people would not hearken to his voice (Exod. 4:1), that is, they would not take his bare word, unless he showed them some sign, which he had not been yet instructed to do. This objection cannot be justified, because it contradicts what God had said (Exod. 3:18), They shall hearken to thy voice. If God says, They will, does it become Moses to say, They will not? Surely he means, ?Perhaps they will not at first, or some of them will not.? If there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:1

And Moses answered and said ,.... In reference to what Jehovah had declared to him in the latter end of the preceding chapter: but, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken to my voice ; this seems to contradict what God had said to him, Exodus 3:18 that they would hearken to his voice; but it can hardly be thought, that so good a man, and so great a prophet as Moses was, would directly fly in the face of God, and expressly contradict what he had said. To reconcile this it may be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:1

They will not believe me - As if he had said, Unless I be enabled to work miracles, and give them proofs by extraordinary works as well as by words, they will not believe that thou hast sent me. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:1

Verse 1 1.And Moses answered. Moses relates in this chapter how hesitatingly he obeyed God, not from stubbornness, but from timidity, for he does not shake off the yoke, as unruly beasts do, but shrinks away from it, that it may not be placed upon him. (50) And hence we may better perceive under what infirmity he labored, so that his faith was almost stifled. On the one side, he was willing and ready to obey; but when the arduous difficulties of his task presented themselves, he could not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1

Behold, they will not believe . Attempts have been made to soften down this contradiction of God's words in Exodus 3:18 , and to represent Moses as merely saying, "What if the people will not hearken, etc. What shall I do then?" (So the LXX ; Geddes, Boothroyd, and others.) But the phrase is really emphatic and peremptory. As Rosenmuller says: "Vox est negantis et detrac-tantis officium." The Lord hath not appeared to thee . It is quite probable that the Israelites would have so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1

Unbelief. The objection started by Moses to the mission on which he was sent was a very natural one. The people would not believe him, nor hearken to his voice. For— I. HE WAS AS YET UNFURNISHED WITH DISTINCT CREDENTIALS . In so grave a matter Moses could not expect the people to believe his bare word. This was a real difficulty. Before committing themselves to his proposals, the Hebrews would be entitled to ask for very distinct proofs that the message brought to them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-5

The intent of the first sign. Primarily, no doubt, the object was to empower Moses to show forth a sign easily, readily, without preparation, and so at any moment. He had come to the time of life at which he naturally carried a staff. That he should be able at his will to transform that dead piece of vegetable matter into an active, living organism, would show him endued with supernatural power over both the vegetable and animal worlds, and give him a means, always ready to his hand, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

The third difficulty: how is Moses to deal with an incredulous Israel? With the mention of this third difficulty, we begin to see how much of doubt, self-distrust, and reluctance disturbed the mind of Moses. And no wonder. This revelation and commandment of God had come very suddenly upon him; and though strong assurances and sufficient information were readily given, yet he could not all at once receive the comforts which flowed from them. Had he attended to what God said by way of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

Weakness and strength for God's service. I. FEAR OF THE REJECTION OF THE MESSAGE WE BEAR FOR GOD MAKES ITS DELIVERANCE IMPOSSIBLE . The tidings he was to bear were so wonderful that he believed his words would be listened to with utter incredulity. Our Gospel is more wonderful still. To speak it, our eye must rest less on the message, and more on God's power to chastise and to bless. We are not critics of, nor apologists for, the Gospel: we are messengers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-10

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