Exodus 4:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs."

NIV: But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it."

NASB: And you shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.'

CSB: And take this staff in your hand that you will perform the signs with."

NLT: And take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.'

KJV: And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

NKJV: And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”

Moses' staff was an important part of his role in leading Israel. God used this large walking stick as a physical mechanism for many miracles. Moses and Aaron turned their staves into a snake and back again (Exodus 4:2–5; 7:8–12). Aaron obeyed God's command to turn the Nile river into blood using a staff (Exodus 7:19–20). It was his staff which Moses used to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16) and to provide water from rocks in the wilderness (Exodus 17:5–6). It was the same one held up by Moses to keep Israel winning a battle (Exodus 17:8–13).

Now that Moses has been commissioned (Exodus 3:10) and all his excuses have been removed (Exodus 4:1, 9, 14), God tells him to pick up his walking staff. The implication is that it's time for Moses to start moving.

Exodus 4:10–17 records Moses resisting God's call by pointing out his poor speaking ability. When God says He will endow Moses with the right words at the right time, Moses is still overwhelmed and skeptical. Though angry at the lack of faith, God responds by appointing Moses' brother, Aaron, to be the public spokesman, bringing words from God through Moses.

While speaking with God in the form of a supernaturally burning bush, Moses expresses a lack of confidence. God gives Moses several miraculous signs so he can prove the source of his message. Moses is still unsure because of his poor speech. Though irritated, God appoints Moses' brother, Aaron, to be the spokesman while Moses relays the words of God. Moses returns to Egypt. Along the way, he nearly dies due to God's anger over some issue related to circumci-sion. After meeting his brother, Moses convinces the elders of Israel that his mission is genuine.

Moses, born an Israelite (Exodus 2:1) but raised by an Egyptian princess (Exodus 2:10) fled into exile after killing an abu-sive Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:14–15). Later, Moses meets God (Exodus 3:6) and receives the initial command to challenge Pharaoh for the freedom of the Israelites (Exodus 3:18–20). In this chapter, Moses makes excuses about his public speaking and nearly dies because of an uncircumcised son. Israel's elders believe Moses' story. But in the next chapter, Moses' early confrontation with Pharaoh goes poorly; the people are worked even hard-er (Exodus 5:5–9) and they begin to turn against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 3/24/2025 5:02:23 AM