What’s that in your hand?
Preaching Outline on Exodus 4:2-7 – And the LORD said to him: What is that in your hand? And he said: A rod. And he said, Cast it into the earth. And he cast it into the earth, and it became a snake: and Moses fled from it. And the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand and take it by the tail (And he stretched out his hand and took it by the tail, and it became a rod in his hand); that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you. And the LORD said to him, “Now put your hand into your bosom. And when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, white as snow. And he said, “Put your hand back into your bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom again, and took it out of his bosom, and, behold, it became like his other flesh.
Introduction to Exodus 4:2-7
When we read the story of Moses in the desert, we realize that God has an incredible way of working with human beings. He doesn’t just speak to us, but uses simple objects and everyday situations to teach us profound truths.
In the basic text, God asks Moses: “What is that in your hand?” And Moses replies: “A stick.” From then on, God performs powerful signs with that simple stick, showing that he can use anything in the hands of someone willing to obey.
This passage is not just about Moses; it also speaks directly to our hearts today. God wants to teach us something important: He doesn’t need great things to do great things. He only needs us – people who are available, willing to trust him and hand over what little we have.
Let’s dive into this story and learn the lessons that God is teaching us.
Development
1.”What is that in your hand?” – God’s call begins with what you already have
God asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?” It wasn’t something grand or impressive. It was just a stick, a simple instrument used by shepherds to guide flocks. But God saw potential in it.
Today, God asks us the same question: “What do you have in your hands?” Maybe it’s a talent, a skill, a limited resource or even your availability. No matter how small it seems, God can use it to do great things.
Do you remember the five loaves and two fish handed over by the boy? It seemed insignificant, but Jesus multiplied it and fed thousands (John 6:5-13). God doesn’t look at the size of what you have; He looks at the size of your willingness to give it to Him.
What is the “stick” in your hand today? Bring it to God, and let Him transform it into something powerful.
2.”Cast it on the earth” – The importance of putting our resources at God’s disposal
When Moses threw the rod on the ground, it turned into a snake. This symbolizes how the things we give to God can be transformed and used for greater purposes.
But here’s an important reflection: we often try to mix the spiritual with the material in the wrong way. We want to use the gifts and talents that God has given us to further our own interests, our vanity or personal ambitions. This does not please God.
Moses’ rod, when given to the Lord, was used to deliver the people of Israel, open the Red Sea and perform miracles. In the same way, the gifts we receive – whether teaching, leadership, music, prayer or any other – should be used to glorify God and build up His church, not to exalt ourselves.
The warning here is clear: be careful not to mix the sacred with the profane. Don’t use spiritual gifts to satisfy your ego or seek recognition. When we surrender everything to God, He can work powerfully through us.
3.”Grab him by the tail” – Obedience takes us out of our comfort zone
Moses had to reach out and grab the snake by the tail. Imagine the fear he must have felt! Snakes are dangerous, and holding them by the tail seems counterintuitive. But this was an opportunity for Moses to demonstrate faith and obedience.
Like Moses, we are called to act even when we feel afraid or insecure. God doesn’t promise that the path will be easy, but he does promise to be with us every step of the way. When we obey, we see that the impossible becomes possible.
How often do we avoid taking action because we don’t think we can? God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers; he just wants us to trust him and take the first step.
4.”Put your hand on your bosom” – Beware of the heart and self-will
God asked Moses to put his hand on her breast and, when he took it away, she was leprous. This scene teaches us a profound truth: when we allow our self-will to govern our decisions, we are exposing ourselves to sin and spiritual contamination.
Leprosy is often used in the Bible as a symbol of sin. It begins subtly but grows rapidly, affecting the whole person. In the same way, when we prioritize our desires above God’s will, we begin to distance ourselves from Him.
This serves as a warning to us today. In the midst of the pressures of the modern world – depression, anxiety, materialism, spiritual coldness – we need to be vigilant. We can’t let “I” dominate our lives.
Fortunately, there is a solution! When Moses put his hand back on his chest, it returned to normal. This shows us that by recognizing our faults and seeking healing in God, He restores our hearts and puts us back on the right track.
Conclusion of Exodus 4:2-7
The story of Moses is a powerful reminder that God can use what we have, however simple, to accomplish great things. He calls us to trust Him, to put our resources at His disposal and to obey even when we feel afraid.
But there are also important warnings: we must not mix the sacred with the profane, nor allow our own will to govern our decisions. God wants us to live a life of total dependence on Him, aligned with His purposes.
Just as Moses was blessed for his availability, today’s faithful church is also called to be a blessing. May we respond to God’s invitation with courage and faith, knowing that he is always with us.
Preaching Outline on Exodus 4:2-7 – And the LORD said to him: What is that in your hand? And he said: A rod. And he said, Cast it into the earth. And he cast it into the earth, and it became a snake: and Moses fled from it. And the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand and take it by the tail (And he stretched out his hand and took it by the tail, and it became a rod in his hand); that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you. And the LORD said to him, “Now put your hand into your bosom. And when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, white as snow. And he said, “Put your hand back into your bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom again, and took it out of his bosom, and, behold, it became like his other flesh.
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