(1) 3 times Moses showed that he was not willing to finish the assignment from God v.1, 10, 13. Note the 2nd time decline was given after Moses witnessed the miracles done by God.
(2) God did not get angry until the 3rd time v.14
(3) The 3 signs v.2-9 were not used to persuade Moses to take up the assignment only, but they were designed by God to convince Moses that God was enough when he went to battle with the Egyptians (3:22). In other words, Moses was not willing to go, because he was going to face a military giant, Egypt.
(a) The staff to snake and back to staff clearly showed that God gave life and God took life back in His will.
(b) The healthy hand to leprous hand and restored again showed the same thing.
(NET) This sudden skin disease indicated that God was able to bring such diseases on Egypt in the plagues and that only he could remove them. The whitening was the first stage of death for the diseased (Num 12:10; 2 Kgs 5:27).
Note the phrases, "there was his hand, leprous like snow!" v.6b, and "there it was, restored..." v.7b. The miracles were done with the "wow" effect. Someone's jaw should have dropped. But Moses was not willing to go.
(c) The last miracles were given to Moses before a short "speech" v.8-9a.
4:8 “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the former sign, then they may believe the latter sign.4:9 And if they do not believe even these two signs or listen to you, then...
In other words, the 2 miracles should be enough, but God would give Moses the 3rd one just in case.
(NET) This is a powerful sign, for the Nile was always known as the source of life in Egypt, but now it will become the evidence of death. So the three signs were alike, each consisting of life and death. They would clearly anticipate the struggle with Egypt through the plagues. The point is clear that in the face of the possibility that people might not believe, the servants of God must offer clear proof of the power of God as they deliver the message of God. The rest is up to God.
Reflection: 1. Do you have a hard time taking up assignments from God? Is your unwillingness related to some practical issues? Do you believe God is your answer? 2. Do you have doubt about the sufficiency of God? Who is God to you? What does the leprous like snow remind you? In your mind will God be good enough to deal with problems as severe as leprous like snow (the most deadly kind of leprous)?
Audrey
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