The signs God gave to Moses with the rod and his hand were demons/”>demonstrations of divine authority and power meant to authenticate Moses’ calling and strengthen his faith. These miracles served as visible proof to Israel and Pharaoh that Moses was sent by God.
Exodus 4:2–4 records the first sign:
“So the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A rod.’ And He said, ‘Cast it on the ground.’ So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Reach out your hand and take it by the tail’… and it became a rod in his hand.”
The rod turning into a serpent showed God’s control over creation and His power over Egypt, where the serpent was a symbol of royal authority. By commanding Moses to grasp the serpent by the tail, an action no one would normally dare, God demonstrated that His power would overcome Pharaoh’s might.
The second sign involved Moses’ hand:
“Furthermore the Lord said to him, ‘Now put your hand in your bosom.’ And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow… and it was restored like his other flesh.” (Exodus 4:6–7)
This sign revealed God’s power to inflict disease and to heal, underscoring His authority over life and health. It illustrated both judgment and restoration, themes central to the Exodus deliverance.
These signs were not for entertainment but to validate God’s message and messenger. They assured Moses that God’s authority was with him and warned Egypt of the Lord’s supremacy. Ultimately, they point forward to Christ, who performed miracles to confirm His divine mission and demonstrate God’s kingdom power.
