Exodus

Exodus 4: God equips His chosen messenger

Begin in prayer

Before the signs in Moses' hand show us God's power, please ask Him for hearts that receive His word. Pray that weakness will lead us to depend on Him, and that excuses will give way to trust in Christ.

He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.

Psalm 105:26

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us receive what You say instead of hiding behind excuses. Show us Jesus, Your willing and faithful Son. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

At the bush God gives Moses signs to show Israel that He has appeared to him. Moses still objects about his speech and asks God to send someone else, so the LORD appoints Aaron as his spokesman. Returning toward Egypt with his family, Moses hears that God will harden Pharaoh's heart and kill Pharaoh's firstborn son. At a lodging place the LORD seeks to kill Moses, and Zipporah circumcises their son before the danger passes. Aaron meets Moses, and together they bring God's words and signs to Israel's elders. The people believe, bow their heads and worship when they hear that God has seen their affliction.

As you read Exodus 4, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God equips His messenger and commands His people to believe His word.

Moses fears that Israel will refuse the message God has given him. The signs answer that fear by showing who sent him. A rod becomes a snake, a diseased hand is restored, and river water will become blood. When Moses pleads that he speaks poorly, God reminds him who made the mouth. God's rule includes those who are mute, deaf, seeing or blind, and none falls outside His care. Asking for someone else brings God's anger, yet He gives Aaron to speak with Moses. On the journey, the LORD's deadly encounter and the son's circumcision show that His messenger must heed His covenant. Israel is God's firstborn son, and God declares that He will kill Pharaoh's firstborn because of the king's refusal. The people finally believe the word Moses feared they would reject, and they worship.

How does Exodus 4 show us that God equips His messenger and commands His people to believe His word?

God gives signs so Israel may believe His message.

The rod returns from being a snake when Moses takes it. His hand is restored after becoming leprous. These signs identify God's messenger and serve the words Israel needs to hear.

God's power answers Moses' weakness and refusal.

God made the mouth and promises to teach Moses what to say. Moses still asks for someone else, and God's anger burns. Christ is the willing Son whose obedience never fails His Father.

God's messenger must also obey His covenant.

The LORD seeks to kill Moses at the lodging place. Zipporah circumcises their son, and God lets him alone. Circumcision was the covenant sign given to Abraham, and the messenger cannot treat it lightly.

Israel believes the word and bows in worship.

Aaron speaks all the words God gave Moses, and the signs are done before the people. The people hear that God has visited them and seen their affliction. His saving concern brings them to worship before they leave Egypt.

Memorise

The people believed, and when they heard that Yahweh had visited the children of Israel, and that he had seen their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Exodus 4:31

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what excuse am I using to resist Jesus and His word?

Moses says, “Oh, Lord, please send someone else.” God is angry, and still supplies the help His messenger needs. Israel's rescue will rest on God's power, while the messenger himself remains answerable to God's covenant.

Jesus came as the Son who obeyed His Father without refusal. We have resisted God's word and deserve His judgment. Christ bore that punishment for His people at the cross. He finished the saving work, and it is enough to answer every charge against them. He rose bodily, declaring that the crucified Savior lives.

Lay down the excuses you use to keep Him at a distance. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Whoever believes in Him receives forgiveness through His sacrifice. The Lord who speaks with authority also supplies the salvation His word commands us to receive.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's messenger also needed to obey, and explain the circumcision at the lodging place with care. Christ obeyed, died and rose to save those who trust Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for giving His word and supplying His messenger's need, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

John 12:49

Lord, thank You for giving Moses help and for bringing Your message to Israel. Forgive our refusal to listen. Please give us hearts that repent and trust Jesus. Help us hear Your Word with reverence and answer it with willing obedience in our home. Amen.