In this study we will take a look at the miracles that Yahweh performed on the Egyptians, when Israel was held in bondage, during this period in Exodus. We will see that those miracles were against the Egyptian deities or gods that they worshipped.
The story of Moses is not just the story of the freedom of a group of slaves from Egypt in the second millennium BCE. It is the blueprint of the Plan of Salvation of the world as seen from the structure laid down in the Bible.
Let’s continue our study in Exodus Chapter 4 Verses 6-23.
Verses 1-9 Moses third difficulty: the Israelites may not believe his message from freedom (Divine Assurance)
Verses 2-5 the first sign
Verses 6-8 the second sign
Verses 11-12 Divine Assurance
Verses 14-17 Divine Power and Provision
6 Moses’ ability to produce and to heal, that most malignant disease would be to them an even more convincing proof of his Divine commission.
As white as snow = leprosy was common in Egypt. In its worst form, the whole skin becomes glossy white, dry and ulcerous
Keep in mind this action by Yahweh was to show that He was more powerful than their gods of healing, Bes, Hathor, Sekhmet, and Isis.
Bes
Dwarf god who guarded against evil spirits and misfortune. Unlike the other Egyptian deities, who were usually depicted in profile, Bes was depicted full face. He was ugly and grotesque in appearance, with a large head, a protruding tongue, bowlegs and a bushy tail.
9 the third sign
and pour it upon the dry land, and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land = by which it would appear how easily Yahweh could destroy the land of Egypt, and make it a barren land, whose fertility was owing to the overflow of the river Nile as a means;
Keep in mind this action by Yahweh was to show that He was more powerful then their gods of the rivers, Anuket, Hapi and possibly Sobek.
10 not eloquent = not a man of words.
Slow of speech = heavy of speech and heavy of tongue. He may have had an actual impediment in his speech.
12 I will be with thy mouth = The Chaldee translates, My Word, meimeri, shall be with thy mouth.
I will be = “ehyeh” remember those words in 3:14,15?
13 i.e. by anyone but myself. Discourage by the failure of his first blow for freedom in his youth, he is unwilling to undertake the mission.
15 put words in his mouth = This is a definition of Divine inspiration
Put words = “śûm śı̂ym” “soom, seem”
S = Samech = (thorn) grab, hate, protect
Y=Yod = (arm and closed hand) work, throw, worship
M = Mem = (water) chaos, blood, mighty
A = Aleph = (ox) strength, strong, power, leader
T = Tav = (cross) sign, covenant seal, mark and cross
Even though Moses may do the speaking we definitely see that Elohim is the one that is guiding the words to be spoken. These words that shall be spoken will hate towards the Egyptians, but protecting the Hebrews. We know that the miracles perform by Moses will be done by his outstretched arms. And through these words there will be chaos, blood (Passover) and the mighty strength of Elohim doing the leading.
I will be = “ehyeh” remember those words in 3:14,15?
You = “et” “Aleph-Tav”. This word is very interesting. If you take note that ‘you’ is italicized. We see in the Hebrew manuscripts the Hebrew “et”. Remember what I said about “et” being the beginning and ending of the Hebrew Alphabet? Remember what John wrote in Revelation 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”?
Have any questions? Feel free to email me keitner2024@outlook.com
