ground. He threw it upon the ground, and the rod was turned into a serpent, so that Moses fled from it in terror.
But the Lord called him back, saying: “Take it by the tail.” Moses did so, and the serpent became again a rod. The Lord told Moses to work this and some other signs before the Israelites, and they would believe. But Moses still objected[1], saying that he was not eloquent[2], but that his speech was slow and hesitating.
Then the Lord said to him: “Who made[3] man’s mouth? Or, who made the dumb and the deaf, the seeing and the blind? Did not I? Go, therefore, and I will teach thee, what thou shalt speak.” Moses answered[4]: “I beseech Thee, Lord, send whom Thou wilt send.”[5] The Lord, being angry with Moses, said: “Aaron, thy brother, is eloquent; speak to him, and put My words[6] into his mouth; he shall speak, in thy stead, to the people.” So Moses returned to Egypt; and Aaron, his brother, inspired by the Lord, came forth to meet him.
Moses repeated to his brother all the words of the Lord. Then they went together to assemble the children of Israel; and Aaron spoke to them that the Lord had looked upon their affliction. And Moses wrought the sign of the rod and other miracles, whereupon the people believed [7]; and falling down, they adored[8] the Lord.
COMMENTARY.
The Attributes of God. This story reveals God to us in a wonderful way. It shows us that:
I. God is eternal. “I am Who am!” God exists of Himself. He has His being of Himself. He is Who is, and was, and is to be.
- ↑ Objected. For the fourth time.
- ↑ Not eloquent. And he would be unable to act as spokesman.
- ↑ Who made. Am 1 not He who gave the gift of speech to man? Cannot I make thee eloquent?
- ↑ Answered. Although the Lord had answered his four previous objections Moses still could not resign himself completely to the will of God, and made a fifth objection.
- ↑ Whom Thou wilt send. Send the Redeemer! Send Him at once that He may deliver Thy people! (See Gen. 49, 10.)
- ↑ Put My words. Tell him all that I have said, and he will tell it to the people.
- ↑ Believed. That Moses was sent by God.
- ↑ They adored. Had they not prayed to God before? Yes, indeed; but now hey thanked Him for having mercy on them, and for sending a liberator to them.
