Summary

Exodus Chapter 4 continues Moses’ conversation with God after the burning bush.

God has called Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery, but Moses is still afraid.

He asks God:

“What if they do not believe me or listen to me?”

God responds by giving Moses miraculous signs that will demonstrate that God truly sent him.

First, Moses throws his staff on the ground and it becomes a snake. When Moses picks it up, it becomes a staff again.

Then God tells Moses to put his hand inside his cloak. When he removes it, his hand has become diseased. When he puts it back inside his cloak and removes it again, it is restored.

God also tells Moses that if the people still refuse to believe, Moses will be able to take water from the Nile, pour it on dry ground, and it will become blood.

But Moses still isn’t convinced that he is capable.

He tells God that he has never been eloquent and is “slow of speech and tongue.”

God responds by reminding Moses who created his mouth.

God tells him:

“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

But Moses finally admits what is really happening:

“Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

At this point, God becomes angry with Moses, but He still provides help. God tells Moses that his brother Aaron can speak for him.

Moses then returns to his family, prepares to go back to Egypt, and begins the journey God has called him to make.

During the journey, however, we encounter one of the most surprising passages in Exodus.

At a lodging place, the Lord confronts Moses and is about to kill him. Zipporah circumcises their son, and afterward God lets Moses alone.

This strange event appears to be connected to Moses’ failure to circumcise his son according to God’s covenant with Abraham.

Moses is being sent to represent God’s covenant people, but obedience to God’s covenant must begin within Moses’ own household.

Afterward, Aaron meets Moses, and together they gather the elders of Israel.

Aaron tells them everything God told Moses, Moses performs the signs, and the Israelites believe.

When they hear that God has seen their suffering and is concerned about them, they bow down and worship.

Observations

1. God can use us even when we don’t feel capable.

2. There is a difference between feeling afraid and refusing to obey.

3. God’s calling doesn’t remove the importance of obedience.

Life Application

One of the biggest messages in Exodus 4 is:

Stop waiting until you feel completely qualified to obey God.

Moses had an excuse for almost everything.

“What if they don’t believe me?”

“I can’t speak well.”

“Please send somebody else.”

Yet God kept reminding Moses that the mission wasn’t dependent entirely on Moses.

God would provide.

God would teach.

God would perform the signs.

God would send Aaron.

God would be with him.

Maybe there is something you’ve been putting off because you’re waiting to feel ready.

But what if God isn’t asking you to feel ready?

What if He’s asking you to trust Him enough to take the next step?

At the same time, this chapter reminds us to examine our own lives.

We can’t expect to walk fully in God’s calling while knowingly ignoring areas where He is asking us to obey.

God cares about both our calling and our character.

Questions 

1. What excuse have I been giving God because I don’t feel qualified or ready?
2. Is fear keeping me from taking a step I know God is asking me to take?
3. Is there an area of my private life where I need to obey God before worrying about what He wants to do publicly through me?

Memory Verse

Exodus 4:12 

“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Encouragement

Maybe you’ve been telling yourself:

I’m not experienced enough.

I’m not confident enough.

I don’t know enough.

Someone else would be better at this.

Moses had his own version of that list.

But God didn’t accidentally choose Moses.

And if God is leading you somewhere, He already knows what you lack.

You don’t need every answer before taking the first step.

You don’t need to become somebody else before God can use you.

Your job is obedience.

God’s job is to provide what you need for what He has called you to do.

Don’t let “I’m not enough” become your reason for saying no when God is saying, “I will help you.”

Father God,

Thank You for being patient with me when I am afraid and unsure of myself.

Sometimes I focus so much on what I cannot do that I forget what You can do through me.

Help me stop allowing fear, insecurity, and excuses to keep me from obeying You.

When I feel unqualified, remind me that You already know my weaknesses and that Your strength is greater than anything I lack.

Show me any area of my life where I have been ignoring Your instructions or delaying obedience.

Give me a heart that doesn’t just hear Your Word but responds to it.

When You tell me to go, give me courage to go.

When You tell me to speak, give me courage to speak.

And when I don’t know what comes next, help me trust that You will teach me along the way.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Read It Yourself

Read Exodus Chapter 4 slowly today.

Next, we’re reading Exodus Chapter 5.