Exodus 4: “Signs, Weakness, and the God Who Sends”
A Fully Catholic, Patristic, and Theological Commentary on Vocation, Sacrament, and Obedience
1. “But Behold, They Will Not Believe Me”
“Or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” (Ex 4:1)
Moses now expresses fear of rejection.
This is not arrogance but wounded humility — he knows Israel has rejected him before (Ex 2:14).
God does not rebuke the fear; He answers it with signs.
St Augustine notes:
“God does not despise the trembling servant, but strengthens him with visible help.”
(Sermon 113)
This establishes an important principle: faith normally comes through signs joined to the Word, not through spectacle alone.
2. “What Is That in Your Hand?” — The Staff Becomes a Serpent
“He said, ‘A staff.’ And He said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’” (vv. 2–3)
The staff is the tool of a shepherd — symbol of guidance and authority.
When cast down, it becomes a serpent, the ancient sign of evil (Gen 3).
God shows Moses that He has power over evil itself.
St Gregory of Nyssa explains:
“The rod becomes a serpent when cast down, but is mastered when seized again — so evil, when faced in obedience, is subdued.”
(Life of Moses, II.22)
Why Does Moses Flee?
“Moses fled from it.” (v. 3)
This shows natural human fear.
God is teaching Moses not self-confidence but reliance on divine command.
3. “Take It by the Tail”
“So he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand.” (v. 4)
Grasping a serpent by the tail is dangerous — only trust in God makes it possible.
The Fathers saw this as a figure of Christ conquering Satan, and of the Church’s authority over evil.
St Bede:
“The serpent is seized when sin is mastered by obedience; what frightened us becomes our servant.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.47)
Purpose of the Sign
“That they may believe that the LORD… has appeared to you.” (v. 5)
Miracles are confirmations, not replacements, of faith.
They authenticate divine mission.
4. The Leprous Hand and Its Healing
“Put your hand inside your cloak… it was leprous, like snow.” (vv. 6–7)
Leprosy symbolises sin — corruption from within.
The same hand that becomes diseased is instantly healed by God’s command.
St John Chrysostom:
“He shows that He who wounds heals, and He who humbles restores.”
(Homilies on Exodus, frag.)
Spiritually, this teaches that:
Sin wounds from within
Healing comes from obedience
God has power over both impurity and restoration
5. The Water Turned to Blood
“You shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground.” (v. 9)
The Nile was Egypt’s god — source of life and power.
Turning it to blood announces judgment on false worship.
This sign anticipates:
The first plague
The blood of the Passover
Ultimately, the Blood of Christ
St Augustine:
“What was worshipped as life became death; so every idol is unmasked by truth.”
(City of God XVIII.37)
6. Moses’ Great Objection: “I Am Not Eloquent”
“I am slow of speech and of tongue.” (v. 10)
Moses now appeals to personal inadequacy.
This is the classic temptation of vocation: “I cannot.”
St Gregory the Great:
“Those whom God sends feel themselves unworthy, lest they trust in themselves rather than in Him.”
(Pastoral Rule I.10)
7. God’s Answer: “Who Has Made Man’s Mouth?”
“Is it not I, the LORD?” (v. 11)
This is a profound theological statement:
God is Lord of nature, including human limitations.
Speech, silence, strength, weakness — all are under His providence.
This does not mean God causes sin or disability, but that nothing escapes His redemptive purpose.
St Augustine clarifies:
“God does not cause defect, but He governs all for good.”
(Enchiridion 11)
8. “Now Therefore Go, and I Will Be with Your Mouth”
(v. 12)
God does not promise to remove weakness — He promises presence.
Grace does not eliminate nature; it perfects it.
This is fulfilled perfectly in Christ, the Word made flesh.
9. Moses’ Final Resistance and God’s Anger
“Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” (v. 13)
This is the breaking point.
Moses resists grace itself.
Here God’s anger appears — not cruelty, but holy seriousness.
St John Chrysostom:
“God is angered not because Moses is weak, but because he refuses grace.”
(Homilies on Exodus, frag.)
10. Aaron the Spokesman
“Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite?” (v. 14)
God accommodates Moses’ fear without abandoning His plan.
Aaron will speak; Moses will act.
This establishes the pattern of mediation and priesthood.
The Fathers saw here a type of:
Christ and the Apostles
The Word and the Sacraments
The bishop and the deacon/priest
St Bede:
“Moses commands by God’s word; Aaron speaks to the people — authority and ministry joined.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.47)
11. “You Shall Be as God to Him”
“And he shall be your mouth.” (v. 16)
This does not mean Moses is divine, but that he acts as God’s representative.
Authority flows downward; obedience flows upward.
12. Moses Returns to Egypt
“Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law.” (v. 18)
Moses obeys at last — humbly, respectfully, without drama.
True obedience is quiet.
13. “All the Men Who Were Seeking Your Life Are Dead”
(v. 19)
God reassures Moses, as He later reassures Joseph (Matt 2:20).
The tyrants pass; God’s plan remains.
14. “Take in Your Hand This Staff”
(v. 17)
The staff is now called “the staff of God” (v. 20).
What was ordinary becomes sacramental — an instrument of divine power.
15. God Foretells Pharaoh’s Hardness
“I will harden his heart.” (v. 21)
This means God permits Pharaoh’s pride to solidify — not that He causes evil.
Repeatedly, Pharaoh hardens himself first.
St Augustine:
“God hardens by not softening; He leaves the proud to their pride.”
(Enchiridion 100)
16. “Israel Is My Firstborn Son”
“Let my son go that he may serve me.” (v. 22)
This is one of the most important verses in the Old Testament.
Israel is called God’s son — adopted, beloved, chosen.
This finds fulfilment in:
Christ, the Only-Begotten Son
The Church, adopted in Him
17. “If You Refuse… I Will Kill Your Firstborn Son”
(v. 23)
This announces the final plague.
The struggle is now revealed as son against son — God’s son versus Pharaoh’s pride.
18. The Mysterious Circumcision at the Lodging Place
“The LORD met him and sought to kill him.” (v. 24)
This shocking episode has troubled readers for centuries.
The Fathers explain it as covenantal disobedience: Moses had failed to circumcise his son.
Circumcision was the sign of the covenant (Gen 17).
A deliverer who neglects the covenant cannot lead the covenant people.
19. Zipporah Saves Moses
“She cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it.” (v. 25)
Zipporah acts decisively.
Blood restores covenant fidelity.
Moses is spared.
St Gregory of Nyssa:
“The shedding of blood restores the covenant; without it, salvation halts.”
(Life of Moses, II.24)
This foreshadows:
Baptism, replacing circumcision
The Blood of Christ, sealing the New Covenant
“A Bridegroom of Blood”
This phrase expresses:
The cost of covenant
The seriousness of holiness
The role of blood in salvation
The Church Fathers unanimously saw this as pointing to the Cross.
20. Aaron Meets Moses
“The LORD said to Aaron… He went and met him at the mountain of God.” (v. 27)
God prepares both servant and helper.
Mission is never solitary.
21. Moses and Aaron Speak to Israel
“The people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people… they bowed their heads and worshipped.” (vv. 30–31)
This is the first response of faith: belief leading to worship.
Redemption begins not with miracles, but with adoration.
St Augustine:
“Faith bows the head before it lifts the hand.”
(Sermon 113)
22. Theological Summary
| Theme | Meaning |
| Signs | Confirm divine mission |
| Weakness | The chosen instrument of grace |
| God’s Name and Presence | Greater than human ability |
| Circumcision | Covenant fidelity required |
| Aaron | Mediation and ministry |
| Worship | The true goal of deliverance |
23. Christological Reading
| Moses | Christ |
| Reluctant deliverer | Obedient Son |
| Staff of God | Cross |
| Covenant blood | Blood of Christ |
| Rejected at first | Rejected by His own |
| Mediated speech | Word made flesh |
24. Moral and Spiritual Application
Do not resist vocation. God’s patience has limits.
Trust God with weakness. He works through it.
Remain faithful to the covenant. Holiness matters.
Accept help. God sends Aarons into our lives.
Let obedience lead to worship.
25. Closing Prayer
Lord God of mercy and power,
who chose Moses in his weakness
and clothed him with Your authority,
remove from us the fear that resists Your call.
Seal us in the covenant of Christ’s Blood,
make us faithful in obedience,
and lead us from fear to worship.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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