Furthermore, the LORD said to Moses, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous, white as snow. Furthermore, the LORD said to Moses,God continued to equip Moses for the mission that had overwhelmed him. At Horeb, the Lord personally revealed His power to the man appointed to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel from slavery. Num 12:6-8 He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you… “Put your hand inside your cloak.” The command required immediate obedience without explanation. God chose an ordinary action involving Moses’ own body to display that the coming deliverance would rest on divine power rather than Moses’ ability. Pro 19:24 The slacker buries his hand in the dish;… So he put his hand inside his cloak, Moses acted as commanded, even while struggling with fear and questions about his calling. Faith often begins with obedience to what God has plainly commanded. Jhn 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” and when he took it out, What had been hidden was brought into view before Moses’ eyes. The sign gave visible confirmation that the Lord governs what no human ruler can control. Luk 8:17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed… his hand was leprous, white as snow. God suddenly struck Moses’ hand with a severe, visible skin disease, demonstrating His authority over health, uncleanness, and human life. Leprosy brought separation and shame in Israel’s later law, making the sign a sobering reminder that the God who judges impurity also possesses power to cleanse and restore. The restoration of Moses’ hand in the following verse assured him that the Lord could both afflict and heal, and that Pharaoh’s resistance would not stand against Him. Num 12:10 As the cloud lifted from above the Tent,… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This event is part of God's demonstration of His power to Moses. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant name of God, who is speaking directly to Moses, providing signs to confirm His divine authority and mission for Moses. 3. Leprous Hand A miraculous sign given by God to Moses, where his hand becomes leprous and then is healed, symbolizing God's power over disease and impurity. 4. Mount Horeb Although not mentioned directly in this verse, this event occurs at Mount Horeb, where Moses encounters God in the burning bush. 5. Egypt The land from which God is calling Moses to deliver the Israelites, representing bondage and oppression. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerThis passage illustrates God's control over physical ailments and His ability to perform miracles, reinforcing His sovereignty. Faith and Obedience Moses' willingness to follow God's instructions, even when they seem strange, is a model of faith and obedience for believers. God's Assurance The sign of the leprous hand is part of God's assurance to Moses that He will be with him, reminding us that God equips those He calls. Symbolism of Purity and Impurity The transformation of Moses' hand from healthy to leprous and back again symbolizes God's power to cleanse and purify, pointing to spiritual truths about sin and redemption. Preparation for Mission God prepares Moses for his mission with signs and wonders, teaching us that God equips us for the tasks He assigns. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the transformation of Moses' hand demonstrate God's power and authority? How can this encourage us in our own faith journey?2. In what ways does the sign of the leprous hand foreshadow the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament? 3. How does Moses' response to God's command in this passage serve as a model for our own obedience to God's instructions? 4. What can we learn about God's character from His willingness to provide signs to Moses? How does this apply to our understanding of God's guidance in our lives? 5. How does the concept of purity and impurity in this passage relate to our spiritual lives today, and what steps can we take to seek spiritual cleansing and renewal? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 13-14These chapters provide detailed laws about leprosy, highlighting the seriousness of the disease and the miraculous nature of Moses' healing. Numbers 12 Miriam's leprosy serves as another instance where God uses leprosy as a sign of His power and judgment. Luke 5:12-16 Jesus heals a man with leprosy, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion, paralleling God's power shown to Moses.
People Aaron, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Horeb, Midian, Nile RiverTopics Behold, Bosom, Bringeth, Cloak, Clothing, Furthermore, Inside, Leper, Leprous, Moreover, Putteth, Robe, SnowDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 4:65104 Moses, foreshadower of Christ Library January 13. "Thou Shalt be to Him Instead of God" (Ex. Iv. 16). "Thou shalt be to him instead of God" (Ex. iv. 16). Such was God's promise to Moses, and such the high character that Moses was to assume toward Aaron, his brother. May it not suggest a high and glorious place that each of us may occupy toward all whom we meet, instead of God? What a dignity and glory it would give our lives, could we uniformly realize this high calling! How it would lead us to act toward our fellow-men! God can always be depended upon. God is without variableness or shadow of turning. … Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth May the Eleventh but -- --! May the Twelfth Mouth and Matter A Bundle of Myrrh is My Well-Beloved unto Me; He Shall Abide Between My Breasts. Preaching (I. ). To the Saddest of the Sad The Sweet Uses of Adversity "For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die; but if Ye through the Spirit do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live. The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture. The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6. Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children. Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes A Canticle of Love Exodus Links Exodus 4:6 NIVExodus 4:6 NLT Exodus 4:6 ESV Exodus 4:6 NASB Exodus 4:6 KJV Exodus 4:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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