GOOD MORNING, SIBLINGS! 

Today’s readings are Exodus 4-6

Click here to read today’s passages on BibleGateway.

Rabbit Trails

Today, I find Moses entirely relatable. At the end of Exodus 4:3, imagine the scene and catch what Moses does in response to his staff turning into a snake for the first time. I’m with you, Moses! 

Important Note: It is important to realize that Moses did not have power to perform miracles on his own, that was simply YHWH working through Him.

Exodus 4:3 – Moses’ staff turning into a serpent – recall that the snake was the symbol of Egypt. Moses is going to turn his staff into a snake, grab it by the tail, and shake it. Boy did he ever shake Egypt!

Exodus 4:6 The disease that Moses had on his hand when he removed it from his cloak was not leprosy but a temporary condition known as tzara’at. Hebrews considered this to be an affliction brought about by God as punishment for certain behaviors. We will see Miriam stricken with it for talking against Moses later on in our reading. In most of our Bibles, we will see this as leprosy throughout so I just wanted to let you know that this interpretation was likely made with good intentions in order to relate it to something somewhat similar in our own time. However it was not leprosy as we know of today.

Of important note: until Messiah comes onto the scene, these two cases of tzara’at are the only two instances of it ever being healed. The reasoning for this is that both of these times the Father afflicted them for a short window of time, according to His purpose. If you read through this part of the Bible with us and make it to the book of Matthew, I’m going to use that information to knock your socks off. 

The Israelites did not build pyramids in Egypt despite the common misconception. Pyramids had already been built long before them. Instead they were working on various construction projects for Pharaoh such as forts and storage facilities.

Here is one of many references for more info on that: https://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2010/01/12/egypt-new-find-shows-slaves-didnt-build-pyramids

Exodus 4:10 When Moses says he is slow of speech or not eloquent, a more accurate translation of this passage is “heavy of mouth” and “heavy of tongue”. I’ve often been taught that Moses had a stutter and while that may be the case, it is purely speculation with no Biblical evidence to back it up. Another possibility which, I think might be far more likely, is that Moses, while spending the earliest years of his life with his Hebrew family, was raised in Pharaoh’s palace and no longer fluent in Hebrew. Here he was, being sent to lead a nation of Hebrews and his manner of speech when conversing with them was slow and awkward. I think we can all imagine that scenario from incidences in our own lives. Again, this is just a possibility but perhaps a more likely possibility than the generally accepted (despite lack of evidence) idea that Moses had a stutter. 

Exodus 4:13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”

We will see, time and again, that Moses was a humble man. He did not feel up to the task of being a mediator for the Father. It is a pattern of the Father that He seeks those who are humble to represent Him, not those who are seeking the spotlight. 

Exodus 4:21 YHWH hardening Pharaoh’s heart – a lot of people struggle with this and I’ve heard several Believers question a “God who would force someone to sin and then punish them for that sin.” First of all, He is God, we are not. But second of all, this is a gross misrepresentation of the Father and one that is not due to Him. Pharaoh’s heart is already turned against Him. As we continue to read we will find Pharaoh himself hardening his own heart towards the Father and His people. Therefore, with his heart set against YHWH, YHWH will use that to harden it further to advance His will. According to His will and for His good purpose. 

Exodus 4:24 Seems to escalate quickly by any measure. However, a careful reading of the text tells us that some time had passed between Moses leaving and this incident. While we can’t fully understand the situation without more information, we have what we have.

Here is what we know: 

  • Moses had not circumcised his son as he knew full well he should have done so. 
  • Zipporah was hostile towards Moses and likely this God who was foreign to her and now she has to circumcise her son as a result of Moses’ affiliation with Him. It is clear that Zipporah knew exactly what had not been done as required by YHWH and so we know there was a lot going on behind the scenes that we are not privy to at this time for her to be able to have this information. 

Again, we may or may not have all we need to understand this situation – and that is okay. We don’t have to know everything but the Father has generously given us more than enough meat to chew on and all of the instruction we need in order to follow Him and live full lives of shalom as His people. 

This verse is always close at mind in situations like this:

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29

Exodus 5:7 Pharaoh denied the Israelites straw and made them cut it themselves in addition to making the bricks. Some archeologists have stated that they have found buildings with bricks with lots of straw on the bottom layer of bricks and less straw towards the top layers – and this straw appeared hastily pulled rather than cut. I have found several blog posts and references to books speaking on this matter but have not had time to investigate to the extent that I can cite a credible source for you so this will be your rabbit trail if you choose to take it. You might want to start with the name “Pithom”.

Exodus 6:5 The Father is not forgetful. The phrase used in this verse was originally a figure of speech stating that He remains faithful to His covenant. These are reminders for our own sake as the Father is not capable of forgetting. His knowledge of every detail is infinite. 

These are some rabbit trails to get you going today. I’m so excited to study this very special book with you! 

Test everything, hold tight to what is good. HE is the only source of Good! 

May YHWH bless the reading of His Word! 

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Christy Jordan
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