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“What is that in your hand?”

Read Exodus 4.

In the first few moments of his direct encounter with God (Exodus 3), Moses asked, “who am I?”
His next question was, “who are you?”

Chapter 4 of Exodus opens with Moses’ third and final question: “what if they…?”

1. The imagination is like fire: a powerful tool, but a fearful master. Imagination is
our window into the future. What w see there depends on whether we look in faith or in
fear (see Hebrews 11:1 and Philippians 4:6). What use does Moses make of his
imagination in Exodus 4:1? How does God respond? Why do you think God’s response
takes this form?

2. Why does God ask what is in Moses’ hand (Exodus 4:2)? Does God not know?
What is he trying to teach Moses through both the question and the miracle that follows?
Why does God tell Moses to throw his staff on the ground? (Hint: what does God tell
Moses about the ground in Exodus 3:5?) How does Moses react to the result?

What is in your hand, and what could it become with God’s help?

3. How does the third sign God offers (Exodus 4:9) differ from the first two? In
what way does it answer the question Moses actually asks? How is this theme continued
in God’s charge to Moses regarding Aaron (Exodus 4:16)?

4. Summarize Moses’ final objection – and God’s response to it (Exodus 4:10-17)

in your own words. What is the difference between Moses’ attitude and true humility?
How is God’s providence and foresight illustrated in the person of Aaron? Why might
God need to assure Moses that Aaaron will be glad to see him?

3/18/10: Lesson 4
 5. God told Moses to cling to his staff (Exodus 4:17). How is it described in verse
20? To what does God compare his word in Psalm 23:4? What words of God can we
cling to when facing challenges?

6. How does Moses bid farewell to his father-in-law? What insights into his
character do you gain from his parting words? How does this encounter illustrate God’s
grace?

7. Exodus 4:24-26 records another meeting between God and Moses. It goes a bit
differently than their first.

What is the sin for which Moses is about to die, based on Zipporah’s actions and words?
Why might Moses have neglected to fulfill the one sign of God’s covenant with the
children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? What role might Zipporah have played in that
process? Why was fulfilling that sign so important in Moses’ case? One thing this
passage demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt is that God’s ways are as high above
our ways as the heavens are above the earth (Isaiah 55:8, 9).

8. In spite of Moses’ fears, how do the Israelites actually respond to Moses’ call (Exodus
4:29-31)? If God knew they would respond this way, why didn’t he just say so to Moses?

3/18/10: Lesson 4